Articles by Justin Niessner
Japan's Advantage sells Wavedash to US-listed strategic for $61m
Japan’s Advantage Partners has sold online ticket marketplace Wavedash to Vivid Seats, a US-listed ticketing technology company, for JPY 8.7bn (USD 61m).
Carlyle backs Quest Global, Bain, Advent exit
The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in Singapore-based engineering services company Quest Global, facilitating exits for Bain Capital and Advent International.
GLP closes $556m renminbi clean energy fund
GLP Capital Partners, an alternatives fund manager controlled by warehouse operator turned logistics and infrastructure investment manager GLP, has closed a CNY 4bn (USD 556m) China clean energy fund.
Japan's J-Star seeks seafood company take-private
Japanese middle market private equity firm J-Star is bidding to acquire Yaizu Suisankagaku (YSK) through a tender offer that values the Tokyo-listed seafood business at about JPY 15bn (USD 91m).
India's Elev8 hits $67m first close on maiden fund
India’s Elev8 Venture Partners has reached a first close of USD 67m on its debut growth-stage venture fund with Korea’s KB Investment as the anchor LP. The target is USD 200m.
India skills training player Disprz raises $30m Series C
Indian enterprise learning and upskilling start-up Disprz has raised a USD 30m Series C round featuring US-based Lumos Capital, a specialist in the education and workforce segments.
India's Pi Ventures closes second fund with $85m
India’s Pi Ventures, an artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech specialist, has closed its second fund with INR 7bn (USD 85m) in commitments.
Japan's Miyako targets $140m for third VC fund
Japan’s Miyako Capital, an independent VC firm affiliated with Kyoto University, has launched its third deep tech fund with a target of JPY 20bn (USD 140.2m).
L Catterton exits Australia's Seafolly
L Catterton Asia has sold Australian swimwear brand Seafolly to an unidentified Asian strategic buyer in a deal that values the company at AUD 70m (USD 46m).
Australia's Five V opens New Zealand office
Australia’s Five V Capital, which is active across growth, buyouts, and venture, has launched a New Zealand office and confirmed three hires for the country team.
Hong Kong's Micro Connect raises $458m Series C
Hong Kong’s Micro Connect, a financier for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), has raised USD 458m in Series C funding. It did not name the investors.
KKR buys India pallet pooling business
KKR has paid an undisclosed sum for a majority stake in Leap India, a supply chain services provider focused on cost reduction through pallet pooling. It sets up exits for several PE investors.
Japan's I-Grid Solutions raises $21m
Japan’s The Fund, a joint venture between Mizuho Capital and VC firm Signifiant, has invested JPY 30bn (USD 21m) in local corporate energy management advisor I-Grid Solutions.
FMO invests $24m in Suminter India Organics
Netherlands-based development finance institution FMO has agreed to invest USD 24.3m in Suminter India Organics, a company that helps farmers grow and process organic foods with ethical practices.
Singapore's Nium raises capital at $2b valuation
Singapore-based payments technology provider Nium claims to have doubled its valuation in the past 24 months to USD 2bn with new investors such as US-based Bond and Moore Capital joining the capital table.
India edtech: Class dismissed
With investment all but evaporated and its champion in a tailspin of bad press, India’s massive online K-12 education space is in an awkward limbo. It’s a welcome correction though
Australian mining tech start-up Plotlogic raises $28m
Australian mining technology start-up Plotlogic has raised a USD 28m Series B round led by US impact investor Galvanize Climate Solutions and Schneider Electric’s SE Ventures.
RTP leads $17m round for India internet provider
RTP Global has led a USD 17m round for India’s Wiom, a home internet provider for middle and lower-middle-income customers.
US sports, media-focused GP backs Australia's PMY Group
Bluestone Equity Partners, a US private equity firm specialising in sports and media, has made an investment of undisclosed size in Australia’s PMY Group, an IT provider for stadiums and arenas.
Hong Kong's Immuno Cure raises $27m
Hong Kong’s Immuno Cure BioTech, a vaccine and antibodies developer focused on cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases, has raised USD 27m in Series A funding featuring Gobi Partners.
India's Together seeks $150m for second VC fund
India’s Together Fund, an early-stage VC firm focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and software-as-a-service (SaaS), has reached a first close of undisclosed size on its second fund. The target is $150m.
Goodwater raises $1b across two funds
Goodwater Capital, a US-based VC firm with a presence in Korea and significant Asia exposure, has raised USD 1bn across two funds. It brings assets under management to USD 3.3bn.
TDK backs India smart factory start-up
TDK Ventures has invested an undisclosed sum in India’s Infinite Uptime in an apparent extension of a Series B round that has raised more than USD 24m to date.
Malaysia's COPE backs corporate accounting business
Malaysia’s COPE Private Equity has confirmed an investment of undisclosed size in CC International, a local professional services firm with a footprint in Australia and plans for further expansion.