Articles by Holden Mann
KKR's global impact fund makes debut investment in Asia
KKR has committed up to S$45 million ($32.8 million) to Barghest Building Performance (BBP), a Singapore-based provider of energy saving solutions for heating and cooling systems. It is the first investment from the firm's global impact strategy.
Portfolio: Actis Capital and Sprng Energy
In renewable energy platform Sprng, Actis Capital sees an opportunity to replicate the success it enjoyed with recently-exited Ostro Energy. A strong foundation based on alignment with management is the key
India's PE-backed Byju's raises $400m
Indian online education start-up Byju’s has raised a $400 million funding round led by Naspers Ventures, an investment arm of South African media conglomerate Naspers.
CX buys stake in India's Veeda Clinical Research
CX Partners has led a consortium of private equity investors to commit an undisclosed sum to Indian contract research organization Veeda Clinical Research.
India's Licious raises $25m Series D
Delightful Gourmet, operator of Indian online fresh meat and seafood ordering platform Licious, has raised $25 million in Series D funding to support its geographical expansion.
True North backs Zydus' acquisition of Heinz India
True North has invested INR10 billion ($140 million) in Indian health products manufacturer Zydus Wellness to support its acquisition of Heinz India.
Grab invests $100m in India's Oyo
Southeast Asian ride-hailing player Grab has invested more than $100 million in India-based online hospitality platform Oyo.
Fund focus: ADM aims for clarity in private debt
ADM Capital prioritizes transparency as it closes its latest Asia-focused secured lending fund. Environmental, social, and governance issues are also high on the agenda
Taiwan PE remains a tough sell for LPs – AVCJ Forum
Appreciation of Asia’s private equity has grown among LPs as commitments to the asset class pay off in developed and emerging markets, but investing in Taiwan is difficult to justify due to the absence of a strong local identity.
ChrysCapital acquires US health-tech player
Indian private equity firm ChrysCapital has acquired a majority stake in GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, a California-based developer of enterprise technology for the healthcare sector.
Steadview, Vy lead $50m Series D for India's UrbanClap
Hong Kong-based hedge fund Steadview Capital and existing investor Vy Capital have led a $50 million Series D round for Indian local services marketplace UrbanClap.
India's PE-backed Coldex files for IPO
Indian cold chain logistics provider Coldex has filed for an IPO that will provide a partial exit to Asia Climate Partners (ACP), an investment vehicle backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Orix Corp, and Robeco Institutional Asset Management.
MSPEA backs Indian NBFC Kogta Financial
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has led a INR1.54 billion ($22.1 million) investment in Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) Kogta Financial.
L Catterton invests China fitness club operator
L Catterton Asia has invested an undisclosed amount in Will’s Group, a China-based operator of fitness facilities and services, to support its domestic expansion plans.
India's VC-backed Drivezy raises $20m Series B
Drivezy, a vehicle sharing marketplace based in India, has raised a $20 million Series B round led by existing investor Das Capital, with participation by Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co.
Polaris to acquire Japan's O-Net from Rakuten
Polaris Capital has agreed to acquire Japanese online marriage services and event planning business O-net from e-commerce giant Rakuten for an undisclosed amount.
ADM raises $178m for Asia secured lending fund
ADM Capital has closed its Asia Secured Lending Facility II (ASLF II) with $178 million for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia.
Crescent agrees $112m carve-out of Australia's Viridian Glass
Crescent Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Viridian Glass, a maker of float glass based in Australia and New Zealand, from building products manufacturer CSR for A$155 million ($112 million).
India PE spin-outs: Standing tall
India provides fertile ground for spin-outs by increasingly confident PE veterans, but LP skepticism remains a major hurdle. Managers must demonstrate their investment skills quickly or risk being left behind
India macro: Steady as she goes
India’s economy is expected to remain stable in the face of global volatility, but trouble spots remain. Investors must structure their portfolios carefully to ensure they are not caught off guard by sudden shocks
GIC establishes $1.4b logistics JV with Australia’s Dexus
Singapore’s GIC Private has formed a joint venture with Australian real estate investment trust (REIT) Dexus to invest A$2 billion ($1.4 billion) in logistics properties in Australia.
Navis exits Malaysia's Alliance Cosmetics to Japanese strategic
Navis Capital Partners has exited Malaysian cosmetics company Alliance Cosmetic Group, maker of the SilkyGirl brand, to Japanese strategic player Mandom for an undisclosed amount.
Square Peg leads $18m round for Australian lender
Australian online mortgage marketplace Athena Home Loans has raised a A$25 million ($18 million) Series B round led by existing backer Square Peg Capital, with participation by new investors Hostplus and Airtree Ventures.
DEG, Incofin invest $6m in Myanmar's Rent2Own
German development finance institution DEG and Belgium-based impact investor Incofin Investment Management have invested $6 million in Rent2Own, a motorcycle rental firm based in Myanmar.