Articles by Justin Niessner
Fund focus: Monk’s Hill rides SE Asia momentum
Southeast Asia is divided by language, culture and economic systems, but Kuo-Yi Lim of Monk's Hill Ventures contends there is now enough evidence that start-ups can go cross-border and achieve meaningful scale
China's Harbour BioMed gets $75m Series B extension
China-based biotech developer Harbour BioMed has closed an extended Series B round with a fresh $75 million commitment from a group of VCs. It initially raised $85 million in 2018.
UK strategic acquires China's VC-backed Yimian Data
UK-based enterprise IT services provider Ascential has acquired Yimian Data, a Chinese e-commerce analytics business backed by local VC firms ZhenFund and Legend Star.
Korea's SK Telecom launches digital healthcare JV with local GP
Korea’s SK Telecom has spun out its digital healthcare development unit to form a joint venture (JV) with local private equity firm Newlake Alliance Management.
US GP Jaguar acquires China logistics player
US private equity investor Jaguar Growth Partners has launched its first Asia fund with the acquisition of Chinese logistics operator Brilliant.
OrbiMed targets $750m for Asia healthcare fund
US-based healthcare investment firm OrbiMed has launched its fourth Asian private equity fund with a view to raising $750 million.
Japan's Jafco closes sixth flagship VC fund at $765m
Jafco, Japan’s largest venture capital investor, has confirmed a final close on its sixth flagship fund at the hard cap of JPY80 billion ($765 million).
PEP's secure assets fund to buy Australia-listed Zenith Energy
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Australia-listed off-grid power company Zenith Energy in deal that values the company at A$250 million ($163 million).
Fund focus: I-nest targets lifestyle technologies
Rather than addressing the healthcare opportunities created by Japan's changing demographic base, I-nest Capital is focusing on lifestyle and entertainment needs of an aging population
Trade buyer comes in for VC-backed Australian fintech player
Greensill, a UK-based enterprise financier with a global operations base, has acquired Australian VC-backed financial technology company Earnd.
China’s Billionhome leads $14m round for space tech player
Chinese private equity firm Billionhome Capital has led a RMB100 million ($14.4 million) investment in local satellite technology supplier Mino Space.
Japan Post Capital joins $26m round for Singapore’s AnyMind
Japan Post Capital and Sparx Group have provided $26.4 million in funding to AnyMind, a Singapore-based marketing technology start-up focused on entertainment.
Monk’s Hill raises $100m for second Southeast Asia VC fund
Singapore-based Monk’s Hill Ventures has confirmed a final close on its second Southeast Asia fund with $100 million in commitments.
RTP targets Asia with $650m global fund
RTP Global, a Russia-headquartered VC firm that invests in Asia via offices in India and Singapore, has raised $650 million for its third global fund.
US GP joins Series C for India’s Stanza Living
US-based Equity International has joined a Series C round of undisclosed size for India’s Stanza Living, a technology-enabled hospitality and student housing services provider.
Australia fintech player InDebted raises $9m Series A
Carthona Capital and MassMutual Ventures have led a A$14 million ($9.2 million) Series A round for Australian financial technology provider InDebted.
Mongolia start-ups: Steppe forward
Unlike most frontiers, Mongolia is more talent hub than consumer market. There is no systemic hindrance to start-up investment but few mechanisms to sufficiently organize it
Anacacia invests Australian workforce services player
Anacacia Capital has confirmed a “significant” investment in Australian workforce services provider Sureway Employment & Training.
Carlyle to sell Japanese food business Meisui Bijin
The Carlyle Group has agreed to sell full ownership of the maker of Meisui Bijin, a Japanese brand of bean sprouts, to food-focused Shinmei Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
MSPEA leads $23m Series D for India’s Ummeed
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has led a INR1.6 billion ($23 million) Series D round for Indian low-income home loans provider Ummeed Housing Finance.
Australia PE: Mindful entry
The thinking behind EQT’s decision to open a Sydney office sheds some light on the need among investors to bring more than firepower to a pricey and competitive market
VCs invest Philippines digital bank Tonik
Insignia Ventures Partners and Credence Partners are backing a Philippines rollout by Tonik Financial, which claims to be the first digital-only bank in Southeast Asia.
Asia Partners leads $35m round for Hong Kong’s Snapask
Singapore-based Asia Partners has led a $35 million round for Hong Kong online education start-up Snapask. It coincides with the company’s relocation to Singapore.
Japan’s I-nest Capital raises $60m for debut VC fund
I-nest Capital, a Japanese VC firm set up last year by former Mizuho Financial Group employees, has raised JPY6.6 billion ($60 million) for its debut fund. The target was JPY6 billion.