Articles by Anita Davis
Richard Ong's RRJ Capital makes first deal
Hopu Fund co-founder Richard Ong has made his first investment from his $2 billion maiden fund, into US-focused oil exploratory and extraction firm Frac Tech Services - a seeming departure from his vehicle’s Asia Pacific mandate.
Renren set for IPO following delay
Venture-backed Renren.com – touted as China’s answer to the social networking site Facebook – has delayed its highly anticipated IPO on the NYSE from Tuesday evening to Wednesday, for undisclosed reasons.
China-focused VCs invest in oncology research firm
Oncology and R&D-focused Crown Bioscience has completed a $28.8 million Series C round of financing, led by OrbiMed Advisors Caduceus Asia Partners Fund. China-based Qiming Venture Partners and CRCI, both existing investors, also participated, as well...
Ex-Merrill Lynch exec Mark Devonshire receives $74m for distressed fund
mCapital, a special situations fund manager with operations in Europe and Asia, has raised EUR50 million ($74 million) of seed capital from LPs Advanced Capital and IMQubator.
Primus' suit against Hong Leong rejected
Primus Pacific Partners’ attempt to thwart Hong Leong Bank from taking over Malaysian banking lender EON Capital has been officially rejected by domestic courts, coming almost a year after Primus lodged the suit on the grounds that Hong Leong’s $1.6 billion...
New China Life plans IPO
Private equity-backed New China Life is the latest financial behemoth in the PRC to eye a public debut, targeting an up-to $4 billion raise via a duel listing on the Shanghai and Hong Kong exchanges by the end of the year.
PapayaMobile gets $18m from China VCs
China-based Keytone Ventures and global VC firm DCM have led an $18 million Series B funding round into PapayaMobile, a social gaming network supported by Google’s Android platform.
Blackstone set to buy second distressed Oz property firm
Debt-burdened Australian real estate firm Valad Property Group is reportedly in talks with Blackstone for a possible buyout, according to The Australian, in a deal that could be worth A$220 million.
Reliance exits Pelago via Groupon acquisition
Reliance Ventures Asset Management has exited its stake in US-based group-buying website Pelago.com to Groupon, which has fully acquired the asset.
Shapoorji Pallonji to launch first PE fund
Indian conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group has is reportedly nearing the launch of a $500 million private equity fund that will focus on the domestic real estate sector, with a first close expected to be announced eminently.
CVC eyes Philippine bank stake - reports
CVC Asia Pacific is reportedly eyeing a stake acquisition in Filipino bank Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), in line with the financial corporation’s aim to raise capital.
LVMH's L Capital officially launches $650m Asia fund
LVMH Group's private equity investment arm L Capital has launched its $650 million L Capital Asia fund, which will target consumer investment opportunities in China, India and Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
China Construction Bank targets Primus' EON Capital
China Construction Bank is said to be eyeing a stake acquisition in Malaysian bank EON Capital Bhd., backed by Primus Pacific Partners, and reportedly sent a letter of interest to the Malaysian central bank seeking permission to court EON’s backers for...
China to commit up to $200bn more in CIC - reports
China Investment Corporation (CIC) is set to receive a $100-$200 billion capital injection from the government, the Financial Times reported, adding to the SWF’s current $110 billion under management that has been allocated for overseas investments.
DCM launches Google Android-focused fund
Venture firm DCM is to launch a $100 million fund focused on targets and developers surrounding Google Android’s mobile platform, touted as the world’s first Android-focused fund.
JAIC JV joins Draper Fisher Jurvetson's partner network
DFJ JAIC, an early stage US-Japan cross border investment fund, has joined Draper Fisher Jurvetson’s (DFJ) Global Network of Partner Funds, a network of VC partnerships that includes more than 400 active portfolio companies and a collective $7 billion...
Yatra gets $45m of new funding
Digital travel services firm Yatra.com has received INR200 crore ($45.2 million) in a growth-financing tranche led by Valiant Capital and included participating from existing investors including Norwest Venture Partners and Intel Capital.
IFC finances Indian cleantech project
IFC, the investment arm of the World Bank Group, has provided a $16 million loan to Gamesa Wind Turbines to fund the construction of a turbine-manufacturing facility, marking its first foray into India’s wind turbine sector.
Chinese cactus-product maker gets $1.5m
Kodiak Capital Group, LLC, a New York-based PE investor, has strengthened its ties to the unique-concept firm China Kangtai Cactus Biotech Inc., a developer and producer of cactus-derived health and nutrition products, injecting $1.5 million into the...
Mayfield leads Series B round into ShineOn
LED-focused tech firm ShineOn Holding Incorporation has received a Series B funding from a group of top China-focused VCs including the Mayfield Fund, GSR Ventures, Northern Light Ventures and IDG-Accel Capital. The size of the investment was not disclosed,...
iProf gets Series A venture backing
iProf Learning Solutions – a company that manufactures an education tablet device - has received a first-time investment round from venture firms Norwest Venture Partners and IDG Ventures India, taking in $4.9 million to expand its e-learning centers...
CVC's I-Med faces debt restructure
CVC Asia Pacific is reportedly set to present a restructuring plan to senior lenders of Sydney-based diagnostic imaging firm I-Med in an effort to find respite from its A$890 million worth of debt owed.
VIDEO: Venture in Oz
AVCAL's Katherine Woodthorpe and CHAMP Private Equity's Bill Ferris explain to AVCJ TV why venture investing in Australia appeals, and why the industry on a whole still lags behind other PE investment avenues.
Richard Ong's fund teams with Temasek in US oil firm acquisition
The newly launched fund founded by former Founding Partner of Hopu Investment Management Richard Ong has teamed with Singapore’s Temasek Holdings to take a 70% controlling stake in Frac Tech Services, a US-focused oil exploratory and extraction firm....