Articles by Winnie Liu
CSRC eases rules for VC firms to exit start-ups
Shares held by venture capital investors will be subject to a shorter lock-up period after their portfolio companies list on Chinese stock exchanges in a move designed to encourage long-term investment.
China video-streaming player Bilibili files for US IPO
Bilibili, a China-based video-streaming platform backed by a handful of PE and strategic investors, has filed for an US IPO.
Strategic players in China's tech space: The upstarts
A new generation of Chinese technology companies, led by Toutiao, Meituan-Dianping and Didi Chuxing, is challenging the incumbent giants. It is the inevitable consequence of a more complex environment
Samena, Cenova in $83m round for Hong Kong’s Virtus Medical
Virtus Medical Holdings, a Hong Kong-based private medical services provider, has raised an $83 million round of funding from Samena Capital and Cenova Capital.
Tencent leads $818m round for China’s Chehaoduo
Chehaoduo, a Chinese online auto services provider that runs consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform Guazi, has raised $818 million in a Series C round of funding led by Tencent Holdings.
Japan’s GPIF awards another infrastructure mandate
Pantheon Group has won an infrastructure mandate from Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the second made by the pension fund to a global fund-of-funds.
VCs back Chinese mapping technology developer
Kuandeng Technology, a Chinese start-up developing precision mapping technology for self-driving cars, has completed a Series A round of funding led by IDG Capital.
China’s Danke Gongyu raises $100m Series B
CMC Capital Partners and Banyan Capital have jointly led a $100 million Series B round of funding for Danke Gongyu, a China-based start-up that provides apartment rental services.
China’s Fosun acquires French luxury brand Lanvin
Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has purchased a controlling stake in Jeanne Lanvin, one of the oldest luxury fashion labels in France, for EUR120 million ($148 million).
Yunfeng, MicroPort agree international medical devices carve-out
Chinese PE firm Yunfeng Capital and Hong Kong-listed medical device manufacturer MicroPort Scientific Corporation will acquire US-listed LivaNova's cardiac rhythm management (CRM) business for $190 million in cash.
Taiwan’s KKday secures $10.5m Series B
KKday, a Taiwan-based start-up that helps tourists find local activities, has secured $10.5 million Series B round of funding led by Japanese travel agent HIS, with participation from existing backer MindWorks Ventures.
Cathay Capital to acquire German auto parts supplier
Cathay Capital Private Equity, a cross-border PE firm focusing on China, Europe and the US, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in German auto-parts maker E. Winkemann from Equistone Partners Europe.
China’s Toutiao acquires VC-backed selfie app Faceu
Chinese private equity-backed online content platform Toutiao has acquired Faceu, a camera app that has received funding from IDG Capital and Lightspeed China Partners.
Ardian opens Japan office to capture local LP interest in alternatives
Ardian has opened an office in Tokyo - its third in Asia - with a view to capitalizing on growing demand for exposure to alternatives, including private equity, from Japanese institutional investors.
Chinese PE firm to acquire Spain’s Imagina Media
Orient Hontai Capital, a PE unit of China’s Orient Securities, has agreed to buy a 53.5% stake in Imagina Media Audiovisual, part of Spain-based Mediapro Group. The transaction values Imagina at EUR1.9 billion ($2.35 billion).
CITIC Capital-backed Harbin Pharma buys 40% stake in GNC
China’s Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, which is controlled by CITIC Capital, has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in GNC Holdings for $300 million, becoming the largest shareholder in the US-based nutritional supplements retailer.
China’s Easyhome raises $2b from Alibaba, PE investors
Alibaba Group has joined a group of PE investors to acquire a 36% interest in Beijing Easyhome Furnishing, China’s second-largest home improvement supplies and furniture chain operator, in a deal worth RMB13 billion ($2 billion).
China’s Club Factory raises $100m Series C
Club Factory, a China-based e-commerce platform that sells fashion products overseas, has raised $100 million in a Series C round of funding from existing investors IDG Capital Bertelsmann Asia Investment (BAI).
China's Farasis Energy secures $793m Series C
Farasis Energy, a rechargeable battery manufacturer with operations in China and the US, has raised RMB5 billion ($793 million) in Series C funding from the China State-owned Venture Capital Fund.
Deal focus: CLSA likes the fit of Marubeni subsidiary
CLSA Capital Partners agrees to carve-out Marubeni's uniform business with a view to driving consolidation in an industry where Japanese corporate customers are already gravitating from ownership to rental
Sinovation seeks $500m for China fund
Chinese early-stage venture capital firm Sinovation Ventures is looking to raise $500 million for its fourth US dollar-denominated fund.
Vivo leads $55m round for China’s Innocare
Sino-US healthcare specialist Vivo Capital has led a $55 million round of funding for Beijing Innocare, a biopharmaceutical company that develops treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Deal focus: CITIC identifies OBOR cleantech angle
Organica Water's plans to build botanical garden-style wastewater treatment plants in urban centers along the Silk Road make it well-suited to CITIC Capital's One Belt One Road (OBOR) agenda
China’s JD.com, Cosmo Lady launch $159m M&A fund
Chinese online retailer JD.com has formed an M&A fund with Hong Kong-listed clothing producer and retailer Cosmo Lady. The target size is RMB1 billion ($159 million).