Articles by Justin Niessner
Seed platforms: Fishing minnows from ocean liners
Accelerators and seed investors are increasingly pursuing global mandates and building out large, international teams. The challenges are starting to cast shadows over the benefits, but it’s early days
Affirma supports Korea's NPX in Terapin Studios deal
Affirma Capital has confirmed a USD 38m investment in Terapin Studios, a US-based media platform controlled by Korea’s NPX Capital focused on bringing Korean digital comics to global markets.
Skip Capital, Stonepeak pursue Australia's Genex Power
Australia-listed renewable energy producer Genex Power has rejected an initial AUD 320m (USD 225m) buyout offer from Skip Capital and Stonepeak Partners, but it is open to further advances.
Sylvan buys Singapore orthopaedics business
Singapore-based private equity firm Sylvan Group has taken a controlling position in Singapore Orthopaedic Specialists (SOS) as a bolt-on of recently acquired Artemis Health Ventures.
Potentia agrees $623m exit from Australia's Micromine
Australia’s Potentia Capital has agreed to exit its position in local mining software provider Micromine to UK-based industrial software player AspenTech in a deal worth AUD 900m (USD 623m).
India's ASG Eye Hospitals gets $188m from Kedaara, GA
Indian optometry chain ASG Eye Hospital has raised a INR 15bn (USD 188m) round led by Kedaara Capital and General Atlantic, setting up an exit for Investcorp.
Third close brings Circulate's cleantech fund to $53m
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based environmental technology impact investor, has reached a third close on its second fund with USD 53m in commitments to date.
Apax buys Australia automotive auctions platform
Apax Partners has acquired a majority position in Australian vehicles and industrial equipment marketplace Pickles Auctions.
Shenzhen Capital leads Series C for miniature 3D printing player
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a USD 43m Series C round for China and US-based Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF), which specialises in microscale 3D printing systems.
ESG in M&A: Eloquent exits
Private equity firms are increasingly presenting portfolio companies’ sustainability credentials in a prepared and formal way in trade sale situations. It appears to be worth the trouble
India's ChrysCapital adds US-based operating partner
India's ChrysCapital Partners has appointed Sanjay Jalona, formerly CEO of the IT division of Indian engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro, as an operating partner based in the US.
Japan's Anri hits $102m first close on latest VC fund
Japanese early-stage VC firm Anri has reached a first close of JPY 14bn (USD 102m) on its fifth flagship fund. The target is JPY 40bn.
Japanese autonomous driving player Tier IV raises $300m
Japanese autonomous driving technology developer Tier IV has raised a USD 87m Series B round from strategic investors and received a USD 183m government grant.
Navis buys majority stake in Thai hospital operator
Navis Capital Partners has invested an undisclosed sum for a majority position in NP Medical, owner and operator of S-Spine, a spine and nerve specialty hospital in Thailand.
Korea's NPX confirms $160m media platform acquisition
Korea’s NPX Capital has acquired online comics publisher Toomics via its Terapin Studios media platform for USD 160m.
B Capital raises $250m for global early-stage fund
Los Angeles and Singapore-headquartered B Capital Group has closed its first dedicated early-stage fund with USD 250m in commitments. It will target the US and Asia.
Indonesia's Pintarnya raises $14.3m seed round
Indonesia’s Pintarnya, a one-stop platform for blue collar workers, has closed a USD 14.3m seed round backed by General Catalyst, Sequoia Capital India, and East Ventures.
GP profile: Falcon House Partners
Falcon House Partners is one of the few survivors in Indonesia’s promising but challenging middle-market private equity space. Being hands-on is part of the secret
Fund focus: Lightspeed ramps up in India, Southeast Asia
Lightspeed Venture Partners is leaning hard into developing Asia with long-range vision, added operational resources, and a new USD 500m war chest
Deal focus: Seeing light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel
Taiwan travel start-up KKday continues to raise capital seemingly on its own terms despite flights remaining largely grounded. It expects a boom toward year-end and near-normalcy in 2023
India blockchain player raises $100m Series A
India’s 5ire, a one-year-old blockchain infrastructure provider focused on promoting sustainable crypto-relate practices, has raised USD 100m in Series A funding at a valuation of USD 1.5bn.
Glade Brook leads $20m round for Indonesia's Kitabeli
Glade Brook Capital Partners has led a USD 20m round for Kitabeli, which claims to be the largest fast-moving consumer goods social commerce platform in Indonesia’s lower-tier cities.
Australia retail AI player raises $30m
Tiger Global Management has led a USD 30m Series B round for Australia’s Hivery, an artificial intelligence (AI) developer for the retail industry.
Japan's MPower backs construction workers' platform
Japanese environmental, social, and governance (ESG) focused private equity firm MPower has led a JPY 1.8bn (USD 13.4m) investment in Sukedachi, a jobs platform for construction workers.