Articles by Justin Niessner
TPG leads $32m round for India bank
TPG Capital has led a INR2.2 billion ($32 million) funding round for India's Jana Small Finance Bank, which focuses on financial inclusion through digital services.
Indian Angel Network closes VC fund at $53m
Indian Angel Network (IAN) has closed its first venture capital fund with INR3.7 billion ($53 million) in commitments. The target was INR3.5 billion.
Singapore’s Tembusu seeks $287m for China liquor fund
Singapore private equity firm Tembusu Partners has received a strategic commitment of up to RMB670 million ($96 million) for a RMB2 billion fund targeting the liquor industry in China’s Guizhou province.
Vietnam media platform Pops gets $30m
Korean investors Mirae Asset Capital, EastBridge Partners, and Naver have provided $30 million in growth capital to Vietnamese online entertainment broadcaster Pops.
Philippines-based Xurpas acquires Wavemaker Partners
Philippines consumer technology developer Xurpas has agreed to acquire the US operations of venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners.
Everstone seeks listing for Burger King India
Everstone Capital, which set up the Indian franchise of US fast food giant Burger King in 2013, has filed to list the company on the domestic markets.
Pakistan’s Airlift raises $12m Series A
Pakistan’s Airlift, a bus-hailing app, has raised a $12 million Series A round led by US-based First Round Capital. It is being called the largest ever Series A in Pakistan.
China Everbright, Investcorp deepen China tech partnership
China Everbright and Investcorp have agreed to combine their respective China technology-focused investment teams and co-manage a recently launched fund targeting the sector.
German VC firm DTCP opens Korea office
DTCP, a Germany-based VC firm controlled by Deutsche Telekom and Korea’s SK Telecom, has opened its first Asian office in Seoul.
India's ShopClues to merge with Singapore-based Qoo10
Indian e-commerce company ShopClues has agreed a merger with Singaporean counterpart Qoo10 at a valuation reportedly 99% lower than its peak level of $1.1 billion.
Japan's Paidy secures $143m in funding
Paidy, one of Japan’s largest financial technology start-ups, has confirmed $143 million in new funding, comprising an extended Series C round and debt financing.
CDIB completes acquisition of Taiwan's Jintex
CDIB Capital has confirmed completion of its NT$1.9 billion ($61 million) acquisition of Taiwanese chemicals producer Jintex.
Blackstone backs India’s Aakash Educational
The Blackstone Group has invested an undisclosed sum in New Delhi-based Aakash Educational Services with a view to building India’s largest digital omnichannel test preparation company.
China media platform Lizhi pursues US listing
Lizhi, a Guangzhou-based audio streaming and social networking platform backed by Matrix Partners China and Morningside Venture Capital, has filed for a US IPO.
TDM Growth leads $48m Series C for Australia's Rokt
TDM Growth Partners, an Australian GP that invests across public and private companies, has led a $48 million Series C round for local marketing technology supplier Rokt.
Naspers VC unit backs India's ElasticRun
Prosus Ventures, a VC unit of South African internet conglomerate Naspers, has led a $40 million investment in Indian logistics technology developer ElasticRun.
GP profile: J-Star
J-Star’s measured approach to Japan’s middle-market buyout space has tracked a slowly unfolding opportunity set with an uncommon sense of patience
Jungle closes Southeast Asia VC fund at $240m
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has closed its third early-stage Southeast Asia VC fund at $240 million, more than doubling the previous vintage.
Chinese VC in Africa: Cultural barriers
Chinese investors recognize the long-term potential in fostering technology-enabled business models in Africa, but reluctance to engage local stakeholders and develop local knowledge is holding them back
Manulife secondaries business to target Asia
Manulife Investment Management will target Asia with a newly launched private markets secondary business.
Singapore marketing tech player Mobikon raises $12.5m
Mobikon, a Singapore-based marketing technology provider for the restaurant industry, has received a $12.5 million Series B round led by Binny Bansal, co-founder of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart.
Japan's J-Star forms media platform with three acquisitions
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has acquired three local internet media companies with a view to bundling them into an acquisition platform for the sector.
ARQ Capital backs Philippines dialysis business
ARQ Capital, a Philippines-based GP focused on the local small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, has invested an undisclosed sum in dialysis clinic operator Medline.
Australia's AirTree closes third fund at $188m
Australia’s AirTree Ventures has closed its third fund at A$275 million ($188 million) with substantial contributions from local superannuation funds.