Articles by Holden Mann
ESG in Asia: Maturing perspectives
Asian investors are growing more confident in their approaches to environmental, social, and governance issues, but policies must be flexible enough to handle unforeseen complications
India guaranteed return clauses: No sure things
Guaranteed minimum return clauses, and their impact on entrepreneurs, have drawn renewed scrutiny in Indian private equity. Investors say a reassessment of their contribution to value-add is long overdue
Deal focus: Gong Cha’s global push pays off for Unison
Unison Capital achieves a rare feat in helping the Korea franchise of bubble tea retailer Gong Cha take over its Taiwanese parent before facilitating a sale to TA Associates. Entering Japan has been a key value-add
India's Udaan raises $300m in Series D round
Indian B2B online marketplace Udaan has raised more than $300 million as part of an ongoing Series D round from investors including GGV Capital, Hillhouse Capital, and Silicon Valley-based Altimeter Capital.
Mahindra & Mahindra to buy 55% of India's PE-backed Meru
Indian automotive conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra has agreed to acquire an up to 55% stake in Meru Cab, a technology-enabled taxi company backed by True North.
CDPQ joins Brookfield buyout of Australia's Healthscope
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) has agreed to join Brookfield Asset Management in its buyout of Australian hospital operator Healthscope, taking a significant minority stake for a consideration of more than A$300 million ($202 million).
Steadview leads $14m Series D for India's Chargebee
Steadview Capital has led a $14 million Series D round for Chargebee, a developer of a platform for online payments based in India and the US.
India's VC-backed Vedantu raises $42m Series C
Indian online tutoring service Vedantu has raised $42 million in a Series C round led by Tiger Global Management and WestBridge Capital.
Lok seeks $150m for fourth India fund
Indian venture capital firm Lok Capital is targeting $150 million for its fourth fund, which will invest in growth-stage companies with a potential for positive social impact.
Bain expands India credit presence
Bain Capital is setting up a team to invest in credit and special situations opportunities in India, and has hired a former executive at Aion Capital to serve as its head.
DSG exceeds target for third India, Southeast Asia fund
DSG Consumer Partners has reached a final close of $65 million on its third fund focused on early-stage consumer opportunities in India and Southeast Asia, beating its hard cap of $60 million.
Everstone invests in India's Translumina
The Everstone Group has invested in Translumina Therapeutics, a global manufacturer of medical devices based in India.
Korean carve-outs: Network effects
Chaebol carve-outs have historically been elusive for global firms operating in Korea. A growing appreciation of their value-add capabilities could be the catalyst needed to direct more deals their way
TA invests in Unison-backed Gong Cha - update
TA Associates has acquired a controlling stake in Gong Cha, the Taiwan-based bubble tea chain backed by Unison Capital.
Singapore-based Play closes debut gaming fund at $40m
Play Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on gaming start-ups in Europe, Asia, and North America, has closed its debut fund at $40 million.
Sodexo Ventures backs China catering platform
Sodexo Ventures, the venture capital arm of French food and facilities management services conglomerate Sodexo, has made its second investment in China, committing an undisclosed amount to technology-enabled catering service Meican.
China investment regulation: Context clues
Revisions to China’s negative investment list show the country remains committed to widening access, but consistency in enforcement and clarity around political issues are significant challenges for investors
CPPIB cleared to invest in India's Delhivery
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has been cleared to acquire a stake of up to 8% in Indian e-commerce logistics service provider Delhivery.
Fund focus: Kotak exploits distressed assets edge
Kotak Mahindra Group hopes his longstanding experience in financial services will serve as a differentiator as it looks for deals in India's increasingly popular distressed space
Australia's PE-backed LBNCo acquired by strategic player
LBNCo, an Australian fiber optic network provider acquired last year by a consortium led by ROC Partners, will be sold to industry peer Uniti Wireless for A$100 million ($67.7 million).
Bain to acquire Kantar Australia division for $114m
Bain Capital has agreed to buy the Australia and New Zealand businesses of market research and consulting company Kantar from the local branch of UK-based media conglomerate WPP Group for A$168 million ($114 million).
Japan's VC-backed Chatwork files for IPO
Chatwork, a Japan-based business chat platform developer, has filed for an IPO in Tokyo that will provide an exit to several of its venture capital backers.
Chiratae backs Indian robotics developer Miko
Chiratae Ventures has led a $7.5 million Series A round for Miko, an India-based developer of robots for children.
Korean biotech player gets $137m Series B
D&D Pharmatech, a South Korean biotechnology company, has raised a $137 million Series B round from a group of Korean and US investors.