Articles by Holden Mann
Profile: Openspace Ventures' Hian Goh
Hian Goh knows better than most Southeast Asian VC investors the cultural barriers that discourage the region’s entrepreneurs. With Openspace Ventures he aims to provide start-ups the support they need
Samara invests in Indian personal care space
Samara Capital has purchased a 50% stake in Indian cosmetics maker Blue Heaven Cosmetics for an undisclosed amount, its second investment in the personal care segment in as many weeks.
Actis-backed Sprng acquires India solar portfolio
Sprng Energy, an Indian renewable energy platform backed by Actis Capital, has acquired a 194 megawatt portfolio of operating solar power assets from SP Infra, the infrastructure investment arm of Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
Everstone exits India's Rubicon to General Atlantic
General Atlantic has acquired Indian pharmaceutical developer Rubicon Research. Everstone Group, the company's controlling shareholder, will realize a 4.5x return on the deal.
General Atlantic, Värde invest $267m in India's PNB
General Atlantic and Värde Partners have invested INR18.5 billion ($267 million) in PNB Housing Finance, the publicly listed mortgage subsidiary of India’s Punjab National Bank (PNB).
India's BigBasket raises $150m funding round
Indian online grocer BigBasket has raised $149.9 million from a group of investors including Mirae Asset Management, UK development finance institution CDC Group, and Alibaba Group.
Longreach closes latest buyout fund at $650m
The Longreach Group has reached a final close of $650 million on its third North Asia-focused mid-market buyout fund.
CICC-TPG fund acquires French auto supplier
China Synergy Fund, the dual currency investment vehicle established earlier this year by TPG Capital and CICC Capital, has agreed to acquire Electropoli, a provider of surface treatment services, from French automotive conglomerate Impala Group.
Carlyle invests in Japanese cosmetics maker Tokiwa
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Tokiwa to support its domestic and overseas expansion plans.
CDIB makes $61m tender offer for Taiwan's Jintex
CDIB Capital, the private equity arm of China Development Financial, has launched a tender offer for Taiwan-based chemical producer Jintex that values the company at NT$1.87 billion ($60.5 million).
Oaktree Asia distress head relocates to Hong Kong
Pedro Urquidi, global co-portfolio manager and head of distressed debt for Europe and Asia for Oaktree Capital, will relocate to the firm’s Hong Kong office to play a more active role in its Asia business.
Southeast Asia manufacturing: Back in the game
Contract manufacturers are reconsidering their exposure to China in the light of trade tensions with the US. Southeast Asia stands to benefit, but companies will have to navigate an increasingly complicated landscape
Indian agtech: Technology harvest
Indian investors are excited about a growing wave of agricultural technology start-ups focused on solving practical problems faced by farmers, but achieving scale with a limited scope will be a challenge
Faering, Sequoia invest $15m in India's Finova
Finova Capital, an Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) targeting rural small businesses, has raised $15 million from Faering Capital and Sequoia Capital India.
Affirma, IIFL invest $132m in India's Northern Arc
IIFL Asset Management (IIFL AMC) and Affirma Capital, a spin-out of Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE), have invested INR9.1 billion ($131.9 million) in Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) Northern Arc Capital.
Golden Gate, Hanwha target SE Asia's Series B rounds
Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures has partnered with South Korea's Hanwha Asset Management to invest in Series B rounds for Southeast Asian start-ups.
General Atlantic, Tencent invest $31m in India’s Byju’s
Indian educational technology provider Byju’s has raised a INR2.14 billion ($31 million) round of funding from existing investors General Atlantic and Tencent Holdings.
Acuris buys Asian investigations firm Blackpeak
Blackpeak, an Asia-based investigative research firm that counts a number of PE players among its clients, has been acquired by Acuris, the parent company of AVCJ.
GP profile: Allegro Funds
The first 15 years of Australia’s Allegro Funds have been marked by a series of changes both to the firm and its market. Adapting to meet them has proven to be one of the turnaround specialist’s greatest strengths
China's Up Fintech trades up after $104m US IPO
Up Fintech, an online brokerage firm focused on global Chinese investors that operates in Asia as Tiger Brokers, gained more than 36% in its first day of trading on NASDAQ after raising $104 million in its IPO.
Hyundai, Kia invest $300m in India's PE-backed Ola
Korean car makers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors have agreed to invest $300 million in Ola, an Indian ride-hailing platform backed by a number of PE and strategic investors.
India's Pine Labs acquires VC-backed Qwikcilver for $110m
Indian cloud-based payments platform operator Pine Labs has agreed to pay $110 million for Qwikcilver, a gift card technology provider backed by several VC and strategic investors including Accel Partners, Helion Venture Partners, Amazon, and Sistema...
VCs, strategics support $41m round for Singapore's InstaRem
Singapore-based digital payments service provider InstaRem has closed its Series C round with $41 million from a group of investors including Vertex Growth Fund and South Korea’s Atinum Investment.
Carlyle buys stake in Chinese textiles manufacturer
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest RMB726 million ($108 million) for a 10% stake in Chinese home textiles maker Luolai Lifestyle Technology.