Articles by Winnie Liu
TPG exits China Grand Auto to Haitong-led group for $697m
TPG Capital will sell its stake in China Grand Automotive Services (CGA), the country’s leading car dealer, to an investor group led by Haitong International Securities Group for HK$5.4 billion ($697 million).
China online rental site Uoko.com raises $22m from VCs
A group of VC investors, including Matrix Partners, SIG China, Legend Capital and China Renaissance, have invested $22 million in a Series B round of funding for Uoko.com, a Chinese online rental operator.
JD Capital buys traditional Chinese medicine business
JD Capital has bought a 60% stake in Baoding Zhong Yao, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturer.
Tsinghua University PE unit acquires Hong Kong private jet business
Tsinghua Holdings Capital, a private equity fund ultimately controlled by an investment arm of Beijing's Tsinghua University, has acquired Hong Kong-based private jet company Sino Jet Management.
BVCF leads Series A for Shanghai immunotherapy firm
China-focused healthcare investor BVCF has led an undisclosed Series A round of funding for CARsgen, an immunotherapy firm that focuses on treating cancer.
China's Ally Bridge ventures into German healthcare
Ally Bridge Group, a healthcare-focused PE firm based in Hong Kong and the US, has made its first investment in Europe, participating in a EUR6.6 million ($8 million) round of funding for Pieris, a Munich-based clinical-stage biotechnology firm.
Chinese steel manufacturer invests in $163m PE fund
Guangzheng Group, a Shenzhen-listed steel manufacturer, has invested RMB20 million ($8.25 million) in a private equity fund jointly launched by a unit of Tsinghua Holdings and Harvest Capital, which has a target size of RMB1 billion.
SummitView, Shanghai government launch $1.7b PE fund
SummitView Capital has partnered with the Shanghai government to launch a RMB10 billion ($1.7 billion) private equity fund, which will invest in semiconductor manufacturers.
Fosun, Nanjing Sinolife to acquire New Zealand nutrients maker
Fosun Capital and Nanjing Sinolife United have formed a joint venture to acquire Good Health Products, a New Zealand-based nutritional supplements maker and distributor, for NZ$23.37 million ($18 million).
Fidelity commits $10m to China medical device maker Eyebright
Fidelity Growth Partners Asia and Fidelity Biosciences have committed RMB62.5 million ($10 million) to Eyebright Medical Technology, a Chinese ophthalmic medical devices manufacturer.
Rakuten leads $10m Series A for Singapore’s PocketMath
Rakuten Ventures, a corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has led a $10 million Series A round for PocketMath, a Singapore-based mobile advertising platform.
Convergence Accel launches $25m Indonesia VC fund
Jakarta-based VC firm Convergence Accel has launched a $25 million debut fund that will invest in Indonesian early-stage technology companies.
Hopu to buy 15% stake in Australia’s Paladin Energy
Hopu Investments has agreed to acquire up to 15% of Paladin Energy as part of a A$205 million ($178 million) capital raising effort by the Australian uranium miner.
Sequoia leads $20m Series B round for China’s HunterOn
Sequoia Capital has led a $20 million Series B round of funding for HunterOn, a Chinese online recruitment service provider, with participation from IDG Capital Partners.
Taiwan regulators promise greater transparency – AVCJ Forum
Local regulators stressed their commitment to encouraging private equity investment as industry participants at the AVCJ Taiwan Forum urged the government to appreciate the role the asset class can play in shoring up the island’s slowing economy.
Taiwan can’t afford not to have private equity – AVCJ Taiwan
Regulatory reforms that encourage private equity are vital if Taiwan is to revive foreign direct investment flows that trail other parts of Asia and maintain its competitiveness, a visiting US economic official told the AVCJ Taiwan Forum.
Sailing to the Maldives
China has become the primary source of tourists to the Maldives. In the first six months of 2014, more than 170,000 Chinese travelers flocked to the islands, up 20% year-on-year. They accounted for nearly one in three visitors, according to the Maldives...
Private debt: Enforcement issues
Investors see great potential in Asia’s private debt markets, but some GPs and LPs’ attitudes towards downside protection and enforceability keep them out of emerging markets
Vertex leads $30m round for Chinese e-commerce site Metao
Vertex Ventures has led a $30 million round of funding for Metao, a Chinese cross-border e-commerce platform, with participation from Morningside Technologies, Greenwoods Investment and Matrix Partners.
Taiwan’s Fubon commits $30m to US-based Athyrium credit fund
Fubon Life, the second-largest insurer in Taiwan, has committed $30 million to Athyrium Capital Management’s healthcare-focused credit fund.
China’s Alipay, VC back mobile tech specialist V-Key
Alibaba Group’s online payment platform Alipay and IPV Capital have invested $12 million in a Series B round for V-key, a Singapore and US-based start-up specializing in mobile security and cryptography.
Hillhouse, CITIC PE commit $75m to Chinese cancer drug developer
Hillhouse Capital and CITIC Private Equity have participated in a RMB450 million ($75 million) round of funding for BeiGene, a Chinese company that develops drugs to combat cancer.
CITIC Securities, Shenzhen Capital invest in online art trading platform
CITIC Securities and Shenzhen Capital have invested $100 million in a Series B round of funding for Hihey.com, an online trading platform for Chinese art.
Tencent, Line invest $110m in South Korean game developer
Chinese internet company Tencent Holdings and Japanese messaging app Line Corp. have invested $110 million in 4:33 Creative Labs, a South Korean, VC-backed mobile games developer.