Articles by Holden Mann
Due diligence: Behind the curve
Gaining an accurate impression of an industry is vital for investors, but this can be difficult in markets where information is patchy or unreliable. Those who hope to prosper must learn to judge data carefully
India's Flipkart raises $1b in downround – report
Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart has reportedly raised a $1 billion round of funding at a valuation of about $10 billion – a drop from $15 billion as of its previous round.
Everstone, Mayfield, others part exit India's SLCM
Everstone Capital, Mayfield Advisors, Nexus Venture Partners and ICICI Bank have part exited their stakes in Indian agricultural logistics and financing firm Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM).
Chinese logistics robot developer Geek+ secures $14m
Chinese logistics and warehousing robotics developer Geek+ has raised a RMB100 million ($14 million) round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
Australian seed investor launches $50m global fund
Australia-based VC investor Followtheseed has launched a $50 million fund to invest in global early-stage start-ups.
China's Makeblock gets $30m Series B round
Evolution Media China (EMC) and Shenzhen Capital Group have led a $30 million Series B round for Shenzhen-based education and robotics start-up Makeblock.
Fund focus: Actis leverages energy experience
Having hit the hard cap of $2.75 billion on its fourth global energy fund, Actis will deploy most of the capital in platform-style investments for emerging markets renewables
Profile: Venturra Partners' Stefan Jung
Stefan Jung has spent five years in Southeast Asia’s start-up scene, first as a leader at Rocket Internet and then as a VC investor. He believes the region is just beginning to unlock its potential.
CVC to open India office
CVC Capital Partners is planning to open its first India office as it aims to grow its business in the country, AVCJ understands.
Actis part exits India's IDFC for $17m
Actis Capital has exited most of its stake in Indian infrastructure finance lender Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) for INR1.1 billion ($16.9 million).
TA buys stake in India's Ideal Cures
TA Associates has invested in Indian pharmaceutical product supplier Ideal Cures. Neither the size of the commitment nor the size of the GP's stake in the company were disclosed.
ADB to invest $10m in India's Satin Creditcare
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invest up to INR667 million ($10.1 million) in Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Satin Creditcare Network.
Ally Bridge backs $301m Luoxin Pharma take-private
Healthcare-focused PE investor Ally Bridge Group will support the HK$2.3 billion ($301 million) management-led take-private of Hong Kong-listed Shandong Luoxin Pharmacy Group.
Platinum to buy Staples' Australia, New Zealand business
US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity has agreed to buy the Australia and New Zealand businesses of business products supplier Staples.
Carlyle exits India's Edelweiss for $131m
The Carlyle Group has fully exited its stake in India’s Edelweiss Financial Services for INR8.7 billion ($131 million) in an open market transaction.
Dymon reaches $20m first close on VC fund
Singapore-based hedge fund Dymon Asia Capital has reached a first close of $20 million on its debut venture capital vehicle.
IFC proposes $25m investment in Carlyle Asia fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $25 million to The Carlyle Group’s latest Asia growth fund, which has a target of $1 billion.
Brookfield to acquire SunEdison's yieldco platforms
Canada's Brookfield Asset Management has agreed to buy two energy platforms operated by US-based renewable energy producer SunEdison, including one with over half its total capacity in Asia.
CPPIB, CDPQ pay $337m for stake in India's Kotak
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) have paid INR23 billion ($337 million) for a 1.5% stake in India’s Kotak Mahindra Bank.
China outbound M&A: Time will tell
Restrictions on outbound investment have China’s investor community scrambling to adapt, but devising a proper response depends on future decisions from notoriously opaque regulatory agencies
India's Pi Ventures reaches $13m first close on AI fund
Indian early-stage VC investor Pi Ventures has reached a first close of $13 million on its debut artificial intelligence (AI)-focused fund.
Reliance Capital exits Paytm stake to Alibaba for $41m
Reliance Capital has exited part of its stake in Indian e-commerce and mobile payments start-up Paytm to China's Alibaba Group for INR2.8 billion ($41.3 million).
IDG, Axilor launch India early-stage fund
IDG Ventures India has partnered with Axilor Ventures for a program that will discover and fund disruptive technology start-ups in the country.
Khazanah-backed fund part exits India's Apollo Hospitals for $160m
Integrated Healthcare Holdings (IHH), which is majority-owned by Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, has sold part of its stake in India's Apollo Hospitals for INR10.7 billion ($160 million).