Articles by Winnie Liu
China travel site Qunar raises new round – report
Chinese online travel bookings portal Qunar has reportedly received $57 million from majority owner Baidu, new investor Hillhouse Capital and existing backer GGV Capital.
Forum Partners appoints Gregory Wells as Asia head
Forum Partners has appointed Gregory Wells as managing director and head of Asia.
Baring PE India boosts stake in Manappuram Finance
Baring Private Equity Partners India has increased its stake in gold loan company Manappuram Finance to 9.71% through an open market transaction.
Goldman, GIC invest $100m in China healthcare play iKang
Goldman Sachs and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) have committed $100 million to Chinese private health management company iKang.
Noah's Gopher in $80m first close on China secondaries fund
Gopher Asset Management, the private equity arm of NASDAQ-listed Noah holdings, has reached a first close of RMB500 million ($80 million) on its debut China secondaries fund.
China's Hongye commits $100m to California's Singpoli Capital
China's Hongye International Investment Group has committed a $100 million in private equity to California-based firm Singpoli Capital to develop green energy, biochemistry, media, high-tech and real estate construction projects.
CanBank Venture invests $4.6m in India's Ashapura Garments
Canbank Venture Capital Fund (CVCF), the private equity unit of Canara Bank, has picked up an undisclosed stake in Gujarat-based Ashapura Garments for INR250 million ($4.56 million).
Hony Capital acquires 10% stake in Chinese property developer
Hony Capital has bought a 10% stakes in Shanghai-listed property developer Shanghai Chengtou Holding for RMB1.8 billion ($290 million), becoming the second-largest shareholder in the company.
Continuity Capital to boost Asia credit exposure
Continuity Capital, the Australian private markets asset manager, will expand its Asia credit business from its new office in Hong Kong, with demand for debt-based products in the region expected to remain robust.
CDIB backs online furniture retailer Meilele through $19m bond issue
CDIB Capital has committed a total of $19 million into Chinese home furnishings online retailer Meilele though a convertible bonds subscription.
MGPA announces second close on Asia real estate fund
MGPA has held a second close of EUR50 million ($65 million) on its latest Asia property fund with a further commitment from a German insurance company. The vehicle, MGPA Asien Speziafonds, which specifically targets German investors, has so far received...
SBI in Series B round for Australia’s Panviva
A joint venture fund run by Japan's SBI Group and US-based Jefferies Group will provide A$4 million ($4.2 million) in Series B funding to Australian business software provider Panviva.
Son of ex-China politburo member raises PE fund
The son of He Guoqiang, until last year the member of China's politburo standing committee responsible for policing corruption in government, has established a private equity firm called Nepoch Capital.
Advent International opens China office
Advent International has opened its first China office in Shanghai. Advent China will work on local investments the PE firm's core sectors of chemicals, healthcare, retail, consumer and leisure.
Kuwait-based Asiya launches Hong Kong operation
Kuwait’s Asiya Investments has opened a Hong Kong office, only its third service center globally, in response to rising demand from Arab investors for exposure to Asia.
Strained relations: Foreign PE and financial services
Global buyout firms have seen less deal flow in South Korea in recent years, with financial services sector activity a shadow of its former self. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are unwelcome
NSSF assets tipped to reach $806b by 2020
China's National Council for Social Security Fund (NSSF) will see its assets swell to as much as RMB5 trillion ($806 billion) by 2020, driven by contributions from state-owned enterprises (SOEs), according to the fund's former chairman.
CBC provides Series C round for China’s Miaozhen
China Broadband Capital (CBC) has led a Series C round of funding worth $10 million for Chinese big data specialist Miaozhen Systems.
Capital Dynamics forms alliance with RMB fund-of-funds Diligence Capital
Capital Dynamics has partnered with China-focused fund-of-funds manager Diligence Capital in a bid to expand its geographic footprint in the world’s second-largest economy
CDIB Capital backs duty-free operator Flemingo International
CDIB Capital has invested $19.9 million in Dubai-based travel retail operator Flemingo International.
India’s Satin Creditcare raises new VC funding, Lok Capital exits
Satin Creditcare Network, a New Delhi-based microfinance institution (MFI) has raised INR410 million ($7.49 million) from three venture capital firms’ three funds. The transaction facilitates the exit of Lok Capital, an early investor in the company.
NEPC forms alliance with Singapore’s GFIA to boost Asia advisory business
NEPC has entered into a research agreement with a Singapore-based investment consultant GFIA to bolster its coverage of Asia-based managers and investment strategies.
China’s NSSF assets top $178b in 2012
China’s National Council for Social Security Fund (NSSF) reported a 7% investment return in 2012, its best performance in three years, as total assets under management topped RMB1 trillion ($178 billion) for the first time.
Indix raises $4.5m from Nexus, Avalon
Nexus Venture Partners and Avalon Ventures have jointly committed $4.5 million to Indian data and analytics start-up Indix.