Articles by Holden Mann
India's CropIn gets $8m Series B
CropIn, an Indian developer of cloud technology for agricultural applications, has received INR580 million ($8.1 million) from Chiratae Ventures, formerly IDG Ventures India, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Deal focus: Investors bring new lift to Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab's latest funding round is aimed at helping the New Zealand-founded company grow into new markets and target new business opportunities
Deal focus: L Catterton enters Japan with Owndays
In its debut Japan investment, L Catterton plans to help eyewear maker Owndays expand its customer-friendly business model outside its home market
Vision Fund invests $2b in Korea’s Coupang
SoftBank Vision Fund has committed $2 billion to South Korean e-commerce business Coupang, reportedly valuing the company at $9 billion.
CITIC Capital buys control of cooking sauce brand Amoy
CITIC Capital has acquired a controlling stake in Amoy Food, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer of cooking sauces owned by Japanese food and beverage maker Ajinomoto, for an undisclosed sum.
China's ICBC sets up $200m India venture fund
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has launched a $200 million fund to invest in Indian start-ups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
India GPs focus on investee alignment – AVCJ Forum
Investment and exit opportunities in India’s private equity market continue to improve, thanks in part to growing confidence among GPs in their ability to partner with portfolio companies through crucial stages of development.
Talent acquisition the biggest challenge for Asia PE – AVCJ Forum
Finding talented personnel to source and execute investments remains the biggest challenge facing Asia’s private equity industry, GPs told the AVCJ Forum.
Hillhouse co-leads $93m Series B for US biotech firm
Hillhouse Capital and Quan Capital have led a $93 million Series B round for NextCure, a US-based biopharmaceutical company focused on cancer and other diseases.
LPs drive evolution in Asia back office practices – AVCJ Forum
Growing demand for information and reporting among a shifting LP base is leading Asian GPs to improve their back office structuring, investors told the AVCJ Forum.
PE-backed CStone files for Hong Kong IPO
CStone Pharmaceuticals, a cancer-focused Chinese biopharmaceutical developer with a number of PE and VC backers, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Japan PE outlook: Slow and steady
GPs have built strong ties with corporate Japan by demonstrating value-add capabilities. These networks should serve them well as the market becomes more active
TEPCO invests in PE-backed Vietnam hydro project
Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has invested in a Vietnam hydropower project in which Nexif Energy, a Southeast Asia-focused energy investment platform backed by Denham Capital, owns a majority stake.
L Catterton, Mitsui invest in Japanese eyewear retailer
L Catterton Asia has made its first investment in Japan, partnering Mitsui & Co. Principal Investments (MCPI) to support local eyewear retailer Owndays.
Quadrant-backed APM acquires UK-based WD Services
Advanced Personnel Management (APM), an Australian disability services provider purchased by Quadrant Private Equity last year, has acquired UK-based employment program operator WD Services.
Japan’s TEPCO invests in PE-backed Electrify
Electrify, a Singapore-based energy marketplace based on blockchain technology and backed by Japan’s Global Brain, has raised an investment of undisclosed size from TEPCO Frontier Partners, an incubator sponsored by Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).
India PE outlook: Momentary frights
Investors see potential in India as valuation concerns ease, but exits and the macro picture present challenges in the short term
Jungle co-leads $29m round for UK AI developer
Jungle Ventures has joined UK-based venture capital firm Lakestar to lead a $29 million Series A round for Engineer.ai, a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software development tools.
Hyundai invests $250m in Southeast Asia's Grab
South Korean car maker Hyundai Motor Group has joined the latest funding round for Southeast Asia ride-hailing app Grab, committing $250 million to deepen the two companies’ existing relationship.
TPG Growth leads $144m round for China microlender
TPG Growth, the middle market investment platform of TPG Capital, has led a Series C round of about RMB1 billion ($144 million) for CFPA Microfinance Management, a microfinance institution (MFI) targeting rural China.
India's Meesho raises $50m Series C
Meesho, an Indian e-commerce platform focused on small businesses and emerging brands, has raised a $50 million Series C round led by Shunwei Capital, RPS Ventures, and DST Partners.
CITIC Capital buys Japan's Nippon Oil Pump from Wendel
CITIC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Nippon Oil Pump (NOP), a Japan-based maker of hydraulic pumps and motors, from European listed investment firm Wendel for about EUR85 million ($97 million).
Fenox launches $20m VC fund with Japan's Sega Sammy
Fenox Venture Capital, a VC firm based in Silicon Valley, has partnered with Japanese entertainment company Sega Sammy Holdings to launch a $20 million fund to invest in advanced technologies globally.
Indian NBFC Veritas raises $27m Series D
Norwest Venture Partners has led a INR2 billion ($27.4 million) Series D round for Veritas Finance, an Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) focused on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).