Articles by Anita Davis
Karbonn seeks PE suitors for 15% stake
India's Karbonn Mobiles is looking to sell a 15% stake to private equity buyers for INR6 billion ($135.2 million) to fund expansion plans and consolidate its position as the country's top domestic handset maker, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Legend Fighting gets VC funding for martial arts events
Legend Fighting Championship, a producer of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting shows in Hong Kong and Macau, has received an undisclosed capital commitment from investors CA Media, which is the Asian division of US-based The Chernin Group, and Diamond...
Nestle tables $1.7b offer for Hsu Fu Chi
A fund advised by Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) stands to make a substantial gain on its investment in Chinese confectionary company Hsu Fu Chi after Nestle tabled an offer of $1.7 billion for a 60% stake in the company. The size of the deal, which...
Islamic finance: From Middle East to Far East
Shari’Ah-compliant private equity investing is all about being ethical – so how exactly did one fund end up investing in a Malaysia-based company with ties to a brewery? Alcohol-related companies are, of course, strictly off limits for Islamic investing....
Intel Capital leads funding round in Skyrockit
Intel Capital, with Tokyo-based Asuka DBJ Partners and an individual investor, has led a $2.6 million round of financing in mobile entertainment firm Skyrockit, to be used for the company’s product, services and personnel expansion.
Olympus leads investment in Chinese dairy farm
Olympus Capital Holdings Asia has led a $45 million-investment in Huaxia Dairy Farm, taking a significant minority stake in the asset with co-investors Mueller Milch Management and unnamed existing investors in Huaxia.
Chinese autopart maker buys KSM from European buyout firm
European buyout firm Cognetas has sold German auto-parts supplier KSM Castings to China’s CITIC Dicastal Manufacturing for an undisclosed sum. Reports estimate that transaction’s value at EUR300 million ($430.5 million).
Blackstone broadens Indian IT portfolio
Blackstone is set to invest INR1.5 billion ($34 million) in Mumbai-based IT solutions firm FINO, joining existing investors such as HSBC, ICICI Bank and Intel Capital, according to Reuters.
GMR Airports gets second round of PE investment this year
GMR Airports Holding has secured its second round of private equity investment this year, receiving $131 million through the issuance of compulsorily convertible preference shares.
SingTel's Innov8 leads Series A investment in Dealised
Singapore-based group buying start-up Dealised has received $5.35 million in a Series A funding round led by SingTel Group’s corporate venture fund SingTel Innov8. The financing tranche also includes Australian-based venture investor Yuuwa Capital.
Simon Borrows named CIO of 3i
UK-based 3i Group has appointed Simon Borrows, chairman of Greenhill & Co. International, to the post of chief investment officer, effective this fall. Borrows, who will take a seat on 3i’s board of directors, has a longstanding relationship with the...
In the market for Asia financials
Robert Morse quit his role CEO of Citigroup’s Asia Institutional Clients Group in 2008 to become managing director, chairman and co-CEO of Primus Financial Holdings. He discusses the perks and pitfalls of investing in the financial sector.
Baidu takes off with Qunar
The ample potential of China's online travel industry was reiterated last week when internet search giant Baidu agreed to pay $306 million for majority ownership of venture capital-backed booking site Qunar. It follows the likes of Alibaba and Tencent...
IL&FS invests $22.5m in Jyothy Fabricare
IL&FS Investment Managers has invested INR1 billion ($22.5 million) in Jyothy Fabricare Services (JFS), a washing and dry cleaning manager that services both retail and institutional clients.
Shareholders may vote to outst 3i CEO Michael Queen
The future of 3i Group CEO Michael Queen has been called into question after reports that the firm’s top investors may vote against his reappointment at a board meeting Wednesday. Investors are unhappy with Queen’s plan to reinvest capital that would...
Carlyle sells majority stake in Newgen to PE consortium
The Carlyle Group has sold its majority stake in Chennai-based publishing and data services firm Newgen to a private equity consortium comprising Franklin Templeton Private Equity Strategy, Aureos South Asia Fund and ePlanet Capital. Financial details...
SCPE takes stake in Redington India
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has acquired a 10% stake in IT products distributor and supply chain manager Redington India for INR365 crore ($82 million), The Times of India reported. The stake was acquired from Redington’s promoters, Taiwanese...
Bright Food considers Treasury Wine bid - report
Shanghai-based food producer Bright Food Group is considering buying Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates, the brand that was spun off by beer maker Foster’s Group last month, Bloomberg reported.
3i Southeast Asia head Mark Thornton to exit firm
Mark Thornton, a founding member of 3i Group’s Southeast Asia team, is to depart the private equity firm for undisclosed reasons. 3i’s head of Asia Anil Ahuja will inherit Thornton’s duties and lead the firm's Singaporean and Indian businesses, according...
Australia's PE-backed Barminco pulls IPO
Mining contractor Barminco, which is majority-owned by Gresham Private Equity, has pulled out of its $580 million IPO. It is the latest in a string of Australian companies to stall listing plans amid market volatility.
Apollo to invest $500 million in Welspun and its subsidiaries
Apollo Global Management is to invest up to INR2,250 crore ($502.9 million) in India-based pipe manufacturer Welspun Corp. (WCL). It is one of the largest private equity transactions in India this year and the largest that Apollo has made in the market...
Chinese fast food chain gets first institutional investment
MUS Roosevelt Capital Partners has committed an undisclosed sum to Chinese fast-food restaurant chain Origus, marking the asset’s first institutional investment.
Does Taiwan still like buyouts?
The rejection of a KKR-led MBO of Yageo is yet more disheartening news for Taiwan’s PE community
Castle Minerals issues shares for Ghana gold exploration
Castle Minerals has raised $4.8 million through an equity issue to Resource Capital Funds, a Denver-based PE fund focusing on the mining industry, as well as to existing shareholders.