Articles by Winnie Liu
Loan or own? Chinese strategics offer debt to start-ups
As Chinese start-ups raise larger, later-stage rounds, strategic investors are looking to participate through structured debt products rather than through equity. This approach presents its own risks
Deal focus: Tata Capital bets on Uber in India
Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF) has deployed $400 million of its $600 million corpus over the last two years, with two thirds of that capital going to India-based companies that have global operations. The recent investment in ride-hailing app Uber Technologies...
CGN PE, Morrison & Co in first close on China renewables fund
JIDA Capital Partners, an investment arm of New Zealand’s HRL Morrison & Co, and Shenzhen-based CGN Private Equity have reached a first close of RMB1.87 billion ($292 million) on their China-focused renewable energy fund.
China drone start-up EHang gets $42m Series B round
GP Capital, a China-focused PE fund backed by Shanghai International Group, has led a $42 million Series B round of funding for EHang, a Chinese commercial drone manufacturer.
China's Qihoo to acquire HK-listed Vision Values
Chinese internet security software provider Qihoo360 Technology, which recently received a take-private offer from its management and VC investors, intends to acquire a majority stake in Hong Kong-listed Vision Values. It is suggested Qihoo might seek...
VCs exit China online furniture retailer Meilele to strategic buyer
Several VC investors – including Lightspeed China Partners, Vertex Ventures and China Renaissance K2 Ventures – will exit Meilele as Shanghai-listed Guangdong Yihua Timber Industry agreed to buy an 18.21% stake in the online furniture retailer.
China online campus convenience store secures $31m
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a RMB200 million ($31 million) pre-Series B round of funding for 59store.com, a Chinese online convenience store focused on serving students.
Chinese second-hand car platform Youche raises $18m
Youche.com, a Chinese online trading platform for second-hand cars, has raised an $18.2 million Series B round led by Galaxy Capital, followed by IDG Capital Partners, ZhenFund and China Growth Capital.
Standard Chartered, CFF lead $207m round for China's Dianrong
A consortium co-led by Standard Chartered Bank and China Fintech Fund (CFF) has invested $207 million in a Series C round of funding for Dianrong.com, a Chinese VC-backed peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending service platform.
Didi Kuaidi, CIC join $350m round for Southeast Asia's GrabTaxi
Didi Kuaidi, China’s largest mobile ride-hailing app operator, and China Investment Corporation (CIC) have participated in a $350 million funding round for Southeast Asia-focused mobile taxi-booking app GrabTaxi.
Yunfeng leads Series C round for China's logistic app Yunmanman
Yunfeng Capital has led a Series C round of funding for Yunmanman, a Shanghai-based mobile logistic distribution platform. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed China Partners also participated.
TPG's Ben Gray to start his own PE firm
Ben Gray, managing partner at TPG Capital, is preparing to set up his own private equity firm focused on investment opportunities in Australia.
China agriculture: Seeds of hope
Fragmentation and inefficiency have hampered Chinese agriculture for years, but a combination of policy reform and consumer demand may allow the sector to unlock its potential. Does private equity have the key?
IDG, JD in $174m round for Shanghai Pharma's e-commerce unit
Chinese online retailer JD.com and IDG Capital Partners have participated in a RMB1.11 billion ($174 million) Series A round of funding for Shanghai Pharmaceuticals’ online drug distribution platform.
PE-backed La Chapelle, Legend Capital launch PE fund
Hong Kong-listed Shanghai La Chapelle Fashion, a ladies' apparel maker backed by a string of PE investors, has partnered with Legend Capital to set up a PE fund worth RMB153 million ($24 million).
Sequoia, CBC back Airbnb to expand in China
Airbnb, an online vacation home rental marketplace based in San Francisco, has forged a partnership with China Broadband Capital (CBC) and Sequoia China to expand into the Chinese market.
Chinese event venues search portal raises $20m
HotelGG.com, a Chinese online booking platform for event venues, has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding from existing investors including Matrix China Partners, Chengwei Ventures and SIG China.
Warburg's Chang Sun targets $1b China agribusiness fund
Black Soil Capital Partners, a private equity firm newly formed by Chang Sun, formerly Asia managing director at Warburg Pincus, is looking to raise $1 billion for its debut China agriculture-focused fund.
China cancer diagnostics firm Burning Rock raises $23m
Burning Rock Biotech, a Chinese cancer diagnostic start-up, has raised RMB150 million ($23 million) in an extended Series A round of funding from Ji Feng Capital, Sequoia Capital and Legend Star.
Alibaba, Tencent in $313m round for CMC's smart TV start-up
Whaley Technology, a smart TV maker founded by Chinese media mogul Ruigang Li, has raised RMB2 billion ($313 million) in funding from Li’s media-focused fund CMC Capital Partners, Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings.
Guangdong Alpha buys VC-backed China comics site U17
Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture, a Chinese animation and entertainment firm, has agreed to acquire online comics platform U17.com for RMB904 million ($141 million), paving an exit for several VC backers including Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC)....
Carlyle to exit Taiwan's Ta Chong Bank to Yuanta Financial
Taiwan's Yuanta Financial Holdings is to acquire Ta Chong Bank, a local mid-size commercial bank backed by The Carlyle Group, in a deal worth NT$56.55 billion ($1.7 billion).
CITIC Goldstone leads $31m round in China's Zhubaijia
Zhubaijia, a Chinese short-term vacation rentals platform, has raised RMB200 million ($31 million) in a Series B round of funding led by CITIC Securities’ direct investment arm Goldstone Investment.
China's cancer drug developer Ascentage secures $15m
Ascentage Pharma Group, a Shanghai-based cancer drug developer, has raised a RMB95 million ($15 million) Series A round of funding led by Oriza Seed and YuanMing Capital.