Articles by Justin Niessner
China's Gobi makes its first two Philippines investments
China’s Gobi Partners has made its first investments in the Philippines with early-stage commitments of undisclosed size for online healthcare services provider Maria Health and student portal operator Edukasyon.
Immunochina secures $20.5m Series C round
Beijing-based Immunochina Pharmaceuticals has closed a RMB140 million ($20.5 million) Series C round with support from a group of investors including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.
Indonesia's Warung Pintar gets $27.5m Series B
Warung Pintar, an Indonesia-based smart kiosk start-up, has raised IDR390 billion ($27.5 million) in Series B funding from a group of investors including East Ventures.
China VC firm Qiming announces promotions
China’s Qiming Venture Partners has announced the promotion of several staff members, including Stella Zhou (pictured), who is the first person to be elevated from associate to partner within the firm.
Macro uncertainty: Mind games
A maze of strategies, philosophies, and preconceptions is underpinning a sense of confidence among alternatives investors as global economic uncertainty mounts. It must be navigated carefully
Ascent Capital launches Myanmar PE fund
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm set up last year with a focus on Myanmar, has formally launched its debut fund with about $50 million in confirmed commitments.
Apax invests $200m in India, US-based Fractal Analytics
Apax Partners has agreed to pay $200 million for a significant minority stake in India and US-based data analytics provider Fractal Analytics.
Verlinvest leads $25m Series C for India's Drums Food
Verlinvest has led a INR1.8 billion ($25 million) Series C investment in India’s Drums Food International, best known for the Epigamia yogurt brand.
Bain buys India, US-based IT solutions player Brillio
Bain Capital Private Equity has agreed to acquire a majority stake in US and India-based enterprise technology services company Brillio at an undisclosed price.
American Express buys Japan's Pocket Concierge
American Express has acquired Pocket Concierge, a Japanese digital services provider for the restaurant industry backed by several domestic venture capital firms.
Fund focus: Matrix doubles down on India
Matrix Partners India closed its third fund in speedy fashion despite ongoing woes about consistency in the country’s venture environment. Patience regarding comparisons with China has been critical
Belt Road leads $7m round for Vietnam's LeFlair
Belt Road Capital Management, a Cambodia-based private equity firm focused on Southeast Asia, has led a $7 million investment in Vietnamese e-commerce player LeFlair.
Japan's Mitsui backs $100m VC fund in Israel
Japan’s Mitsui & Co has invested in Israel-based Magenta Venture Partners’ debut fund, which is targeting $100 million and to date backed entirely by Japanese corporates.
Ping An, CITIC invest China's Airdoc
Ping An Insurance and CITIC Group have made a Series B investment of undisclosed size in Airdoc, a Chinese medical services company that uses artificial intelligence (AI).
US, China-based Apollomics raises $100m Series B
CMB International Capital, a private equity unit of China Merchants Bank, has led a $100 million Series B round for US and China-based biopharmaceutical developer Apollomics.
SunBridge exits Marketo's Japan JV to Adobe
SunBridge Partners, a US-based VC firm that helps companies access Japan, has exited its position in a Japanese joint venture (JV) with B2B cloud technology provider Marketo to Adobe.
China wearables player Nreal confirms $15m Series A
Nreal, a China-based company that makes advanced virtual reality glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised $15 million in Series A funding from investors including Shunwei Capital.
East Ventures appoints new partner
East Ventures has appointed Melisa Irene (pictured) as a partner. It is the firm’s first nomination of a woman to that position.
EQT promotes Brian Chang to partner in Singapore
EQT has confirmed the promotion of Singapore-based Brian Chang to partner. He will be responsible for mid-market activity in Asia.
Q&A: Grab's Ming Maa
Ming Maa, president of Grab, explains how the transformation of a taxi-hailing start-up into a diversified technology heavyweight reflects ongoing confidence in Southeast Asia’s economic future
India's Zolo secures $30m Series B
Indian managed accommodation platform operator Zolo has raised $30 million in Series B funding from a group of investors including IDFC Alternatives.
China biotech player Innocare raises $160m
China’s Loyal Valley Capital has led a $160 million funding round for Beijing Innocare, a biotechnology developer focused on immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases.
Iron Pillar leads $22m round for India's Vyome Therapeutics
Indian venture capital firm Iron Pillar Capital Management has led a $22 million Series D round for Vyome Therapeutics, a domestic pharmaceuticals developer focused on skin diseases.
Malaysia's Ekuinas launches fourth fund at $242m
Malaysian government-backed private equity firm Ekuinas has set up its fourth fund with MYR1 billion ($242 million) and an option to increase the corpus to MYR1.5 billion.