Articles by Justin Niessner
CDPQ invests $474m in Japan energy programme
Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) has committed JPY 70bn (USD 474m) to a Japanese energy transition programme led by local renewables developer Shizen Energy.
Philippines fintech start-up gets $16m Series A
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ has backed a USD 16m Series A round for a Philippines-based financial technology start-up founded by former executives of Russian digital banking leader Tinkoff Bank.
VC-backed Singapore biotech start-up agrees SPAC merger
Singapore’s AUM Biosciences, a VC-backed oncology treatments developer, has agreed to a NASDAQ listing via special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at a pre-money equity valuation of USD 400m.
Pavilion backs Singapore influencer platform
Temasek Holdings-owned Pavilion Capital has joined a USD 7m round for Singapore’s Partipost, which claims to be Asia’s fastest-growing crowd influencer marketing and commerce platform.
Indonesia solar start-up raises $33m Series A
Indonesia’s Xurya, a solar power rental and installation start-up, has lifted its Series A round to USD 33m with new commitments from Mitsui & Co and local property conglomerate Surya Semesta Internusa.
Warburg Pincus commits $350m to SE Asia insurance platform
Warburg Pincus has seeded a digital insurance platform for Southeast Asia with a USD 350m equity commitment and two recent acquisitions from Spain-headquartered insurance giant Mapfre.
Globis leads $22m Series C for Japan's Trend Express
Globis Capital Partners has led JPY 3.3bn (USD 22.1m) Series C round for Japan’s Trend Express, a cross-border marketing and data analysis platform focused on Japan-China tourism.
India's Ather Energy adds $50m to Series E
India’s Ather Energy, a two-wheel electric vehicle (EV) brand, has raised about USD 50m from existing investors, extending its Series E round to around USD 178m.
Advantage recruits partner, co-head for Asia ex-Japan
Japan’s Advantage Partners has hired Rahul Bhargava, previously of ADV Partners, as a partner and co-head of Asia ex-Japan. It coincides with the acquisition of a Japanese jewellery industry supplier.
Korea pizza chain raises $25m for India push
Korea-headquartered pizza chain Gopizza has raised USD 25m in Series C funding from new and existing backers to drive an India expansion.
Fund focus: Local LPs lift Fireside to new heights
India’s Fireside Ventures has soaked up rising domestic investor appetite for start-ups with an outsized third vintage, claiming that its consumer brands thesis is beginning to bear fruit
Singapore's Bolttech hits $1.5b valuation with Series B
Singapore's Bolttech, an insurance technology provider set up by Pacific Century Group in 2020, has raised an undisclosed sum in Series B funding, claiming a valuation of USD 1.5bn.
India's Byju's raises $250m, ramps up overseas
Indian education technology provider Byju’s has raised USD 250m from existing investors with plans to expand its international business. Funding raised this year alone now tops USD 1bn.
Strategic players converge in Indonesia waste start-up Series A
Indonesia’s Waste4Change signalled broad appetite for exposure to local waste management services with a USD 5m Series A round featuring a diverse range of strategic backers.
Japan's NSSK buys Sakura pharmacy chain
Japanese middle-market private equity firm NSSK has acquired 100% of Kraft, a local pharmacy chain that operates under the Sakura brand, for an undisclosed sum.
US logistics AI start-up gets $100m for Asia entry
US-based Altana Technologies, an artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics provider for the logistics industry, has raised USD 100m in Series B funding with plans to open a Singapore office in early 2023.
Google backs India edtech player Adda247
Google has joined a INR 2.7bn (USD 35m) round for Adda247, an education technology start-up that claims to be India’s largest vernacular language exam preparation platform.
East leads $10m round for Indonesia fintech player Alami
East Ventures has led a USD 10m pre-Series B round for Indonesia’s Alami, a sharia-compliant financial technology provider and small business lender.
Japan digital bank Nudge raises $16m Series A
Japanese digital bank Nudge has completed a USD 16m Series A round led by One Capital, a VC firm led by the former head of Salesforce Ventures Japan.
MO Alternates commits $28m to Indian footwear brand
Motilal Oswal Alternates (MO Alts), formerly Motilal Oswal Private Equity, has invested INR 2.2bn (USD 28m) in India’s Asian Footwears, which produces several shoe brands.
Insignia invests $10m in Thai beauty start-up
Insignia Ventures Partners has provided USD 10m in Series A funding to Thailand’s Konvy, a 10-year-old beauty e-commerce start-up.
Deal focus: Food app targets Thailand's first internet IPO
Thai restaurant delivery app Line Man Wongnai has leveraged the massive messaging service penetration of its parent company to position itself for what is hoped to be a breakthrough IPO
Searchlight backs Singapore's Synergy Marine Group
US-based Searchlight Capital Partners has taken a minority stake in Singapore’s Synergy Marine Group, a shipping fleet manager and maritime services provider, for an undisclosed sum.
Citi, Accel back Hong Kong crypto start-up Xalts
Citi Ventures and Accel have invested in Hong Kong-based Xalts, a start-up founded by former HSBC and Meta personnel, with a view to facilitating digital asset management for institutional investors.