Articles by Justin Niessner
Malaysia's Khazanah launches start-up programme
Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional has launched a VC collaboration and start-up investment programme with an initial MYR 180m (USD 40m).
Japan's Aspirant announces third exit in three weeks
Aspirant Group has sold Japan’s only offshore drilling contractor, Japan Drilling (JDC), to JX Nippon Oil Exploration Corporation for an undisclosed sum, marking its third exit in as many weeks.
ADIA invests $500m in India's Lenskart
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has agreed to invest USD 500m in Indian eyewear retailer Lenskart. It would bring pre-IPO funding in the past 12 months to around USD 750m.
Heritas hits $20m first close on Asia impact fund
Singapore-based private equity firm Heritas Capital has reached a first close of USD 20m on its latest Asia impact fund against an overall target of USD 50m. DBS contributed USD 10m.
CVC invests $155m in Indonesia gas company
CVC Capital Partners has committed USD 155m to Indonesia-listed Samator Indo Gas, the largest industrial and medical gas producer in the country.
India's HealthPlix raises $22m Series C
India’s HealthPlix, a medical records platform for doctors that aims to democratize access to digital healthcare in remote areas, has raised a USD 22m Series C round led by Avataar Venture Partners.
India's Rockstud targets $37m for sophomore angel fund
India’s Rockstud Capital, an early-stage VC investor backed by high net worth individuals, has launched its second angel fund with a target of INR 3bn (USD 37m).
Japan's Anri leads $27m round for start-up lending platform
Japanese venture capital firm Anri has led a JPY 3.6bn (USD 27m) Series D round for local start-up lending platform Funds.
Deal focus: Glimmer in a dormant Pakistani ecosystem
Pakistan’s Trukkr quietly spent a hardscrabble pre-seed period building infrastructure while competitors leveraged a short-lived VC boom to grow quickly. The patience appears set to pay off
Deal focus: K-wave media savvy explores new markets
Korean audience interaction technology provider Bemyfriends hopes a sizeable Series A round led by Cleveland Avenue, a lifestyle-focused VC firm in the US, will jumpstart a global expansion
Kedaara buys majority stake in India dermatology player
Kedaara Capital has acquired a majority stake in medico-aesthetic dermatology services Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic, facilitating an exit for healthcare specialist InvAscent Capital.
Blackstone completes exit from India's Sona Comstar
The Blackstone Group has completed a staged exit from India-listed automotive industry supplier Sona Comstar, selling its remaining 20.5% via bulk open market deals worth about USD 600m.
Qiming, Ince invest in China, US biotech start-up
Qiming Venture Partners and Ince Capital have led a USD 50m Series B round for China and US-based oncology and autoimmune diseases treatments developer Allorion Therapeutics.
India's IIFL invests $70m in Kauvery hospital chain
India’s IIFL Asset Management (IIFL AM) has invested USD 70m in local hospital chain Kauvery Hospitals via its private equity unit, acquiring a minority stake.
AI-dedicated GP targets South, Southeast Asia
A group of artificial intelligence (AI) investors in Africa have launched a new Singapore-based private equity firm, AI Capital, that will invest across South and Southeast Asia, as well as Africa.
Premji Invest leads $110m round for India's Mintifi
Premji Invest has led a USD 110m Series D round for Indian financial services platform Mintifi with support from Norwest Venture Partners, Elevation Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Macquarie leads $99m round for Australia IT provider Orro
Macquarie Capital has led a AUD 150m (USD 99m) investment in Orro Group, an Australian enterprise IT services provider set up by local private equity firms Liverpool Partners and Parc Capital.
Korea audience engagement platform Bemyfriends gets $29m
Korea’s Bemyfriends, an audience engagement platform for brands and creators, has raised USD 29m in Series A funding, with the latest tranche provided by US-based VC firm Cleveland Avenue.
Japan's Keio Innovation targets $109m for Fund III
Keio Innovation, a VC arm of Keio University, is aiming to raise JPY 15bn (USD 109.2m) for its third fund, more than its first two vintages combined.
ADB invests $15m in Philippines supermarket Dali
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed a USD 15m equity investment in the Philippines business of Switzerland-based discount supermarket operator Dali.
US, UK VCs invest Pakistan logistics start-up Trukkr
US-based Accion Venture Lab and Sturgeon Capital of the UK have led a USD 6.4m seed round for Pakistan’s Trukkr, a financial technology provider for the trucking industry.
Deal focus: Digital marketing piggybacks e-commerce boom
Malaysian digital marketing specialist Involve Asia is making hay as regional e-commerce shows no signs of slowing. Fresh VC support will guide inorganic expansion amidst erratically trendy user behaviour
Japan construction software supplier gets $8.5m
Japan’s Ballas, a software provider focused on metals procurement for the construction industry, has raised an approximately JPY 1.2bn (USD 8.5m) round led by Global Brain.
NIC buys Japan dental consultancy, Jafco exits
Japanese private equity firm Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) has acquired 100% of local dental industry services provider Medical Support Consulting, facilitating an exit for Jafco.