Articles by Mirzaan Jamwal
Singapore's itBit raises capital for Bitcoin exchange
Canaan Partners and RRE Ventures have co-led a $3.25 million round of funding for Singapore-headquartered Bitcoin exchange itBit. Liberty City Ventures, as well angel investors such as The Jordan Company’s Jay W. Jordan II and Beluga co-founder Ben Davenport...
China online video: Big fish, small fish
As Chinese online video consumers switch to mobile platforms, venture capital investors are looking for ways to ride the wave – but they must do it with one eye on strategic players also entering the space
Baring Asia completes India Hexaware deal
Baring Private Equity Asia has bought an additional 20% stake in IT and business process outsourcing services firm Hexaware Technologies for INR8.16 billion ($127.8 million) through an open offer.
IDG backs spin-out of Phoenix New Media's apps division
IDG Capital Partners has agreed to support the spin-out of Hong Kong broadcaster Phoenix New Media's apps business as it looks to accelerate development in China.
Standard Chartered PE, Boyu invest in China dessert chain
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) and Boyu Capital have made a joint investment in China’s Multi Concepts Link Restaurant Management (MCL), which operates Chinese-style dessert cafés under the Honeymoon Dessert brand. Financial terms were not disclosed....
Innovation Works backs Chinese IT job website
Innovation Works has committed RMB2.5 million ($410,000) to IT job listing website Neitui.
Velti sells mobile marketing businesses to GSO Capital Partners
Mobile marketing and advertising technology provider Velti is to sell its Air2Web India, UK-based Mobile Interactive Group and Velti DR and US-based businesses to GSO Capital Partners, the credit division of Blackstone.
Carlyle buys global real estate platform
The Carlyle Group has completed the acquisition of Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Management (MREEM), a real-estate fund-of-funds business with more than $2.6 billion in capital commitments. Equity for the transaction came from Carlyle's balance sheet...
KKR targets $474m Bis Industries IPO – report
KKR is reportedly planning a December IPO for Australian mining logistics company Bis Industries, with marketing to institutional investors to begin this week.
Darby exits India's Symbiotec Pharmalab, Actis ups stake
Darby Private Equity, the PE arm of Franklin Templeton Investments, has exited its investment in Symbiotec Pharmalab to Actis. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Blackstone buys into China shopping mall developer
The Blackstone Group and ICBC International will acquire stakes of 40% and 6% respectively in Chinese shopping mall developer and operator SCP. The financial terms were not disclosed but Blackstone’s investment is reported to be worth $400 million.
Malaysian government unit to raise $95m infrastructure fund
Pelaburan Mara, the investment and asset management arm of the Malaysian government’s Majlis Amanah Rakyat agency, plans to launch a MYR300 million ($94.9 million) private equity infrastructure fund early next year to invest in the social infrastructure...
Sequoia leads $16m investment in Cloudnine hospital chain
Sequoia Capital has led INR1 billion ($16.3 million) investment into Bangalore-based infant and maternity care hospital chain Cloudnine. Existing investor Matrix Partners also participated in the round.
Vietnam government launches 'Silicon Valley Project'
Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology will build two accelerators under its Silicon Valley Project for technology commercialization - turning research into practical applications.
IFC to back Gaja Capital's $250m India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to investment $25 million in Gaja Capital Partners’ second fund, which has an overall target of $250 million.
Asia real assets: Need returns, will travel
Interest in Asian real assets has surged as investors look to higher growth emerging markets for income and upside. Opportunities run from real estate to infrastructure, and in some cases offer a bit of both
KKR invests $89m in Apollo Hospitals' parent
KKR has made an INR5.5 billion ($89.74 million) investment in PCR Investments, the holding company of India’s Apollo Hospitals group.
Indian regulator issues guidelines for SMEs to list without IPO
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued guidelines allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to list without an IPO, offering new fundraising and exit options for start-ups.
Peepul Capital leads $30m Series E round for Komli Media
Digital advertising technology platform Komli Media has raised $30 million from new investor Peepul Capital. Existing investors Norwest Venture Partners, Nexus Venture Partners, Helion Venture Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson also participated in...
Startive Ventures-backed Freelancer targets small-cap IPO
Online jobs marketplace Freelancer.com has filed for its initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange with a view to raising A$15 million ($14.43 million). Startive Ventures owns 42% of Freelancer, chief executive Matt Barrie has 50%...
Tata Capital buys stakes in Tata Sky, Mitra Biotech
Tata Capital’s offshore Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF) has acquired a 5% stake in direct-to-home (DTH) TV provider Tata Sky, while VC fund Tata Capital Innovations has backed cancer care company Mitra Biotech.
SAIF-backed HomeShop18 raises $14m round
Multimedia retailer HomeShop18 has raised another $14 million in funding from existing investors - Korea’s GS Home Shopping (GS), hedge fund OCP Asia and parent company Network18. SAIF Partners invested $26 million in 2008 for over 25% of the company....
Actis invests $48m in Indian pharma company
Actis has invested $48 million for a significant minority stake in Symbiotec Pharmalab, an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturer.
India e-commerce: Sink or swim
India’s e-commerce sector is in the midst of consolidation. VC money continues to flow to the larger players but even they are examining their business models in a climate of higher operating costs