Articles by Larissa Ku
One size does not fit all in Asia value creation – AVCJ Forum
Replacing portfolio company CEOs is not part of buyout firms’ value creation playbook in emerging markets, the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum heard.
China's Sinovation reaches $250m mark on fifth VC fund
China-focused Sinovation Ventures reached a USD 200m first close on its fifth flagship US dollar-denominated fund in April and is currently around the USD 250m mark against a target of USD 500m.
China investors plan to step up activity – AVCJ Forum
Investors told the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum that they are looking to accelerate their pace of investment in China next year despite economic and regulatory challenges.
GPs seek alternatives in absence of US IPOs – AVCJ Forum
Private markets investors have responded to the drop-off in US IPO activity by exploring listings within Asia, while M&A is expected to play a more important role, the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum heard.
China's CCV raises $150m opportunity fund
China Creation Ventures (CCV) has raised USD 150m for an opportunity fund that will participate in follow-on rounds and back spin-outs from established companies.
Indonesia's INA, Chinese partners form $2bn EV fund
Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), has launched a USD 2bn green electric vehicle (EV) fund with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL and the international arm of China Merchants Bank (CMB).
Team diversity impacts fundraising prospects - AVCJ Forum
Asia-based managers are slower to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies than their peers in other markets, but LPs told the AVCJ Diversity & Inclusion Forum that action on this issue is increasingly important to fundraising.
China automotive industry supplier Kasco raises $72m
Kasco, a China-based air suspension supplier for passenger vehicles, has closed a Series B round of CNY 510m (USD 72m) led by an investment arm of CRRC Group, China State-Owned Venture Capital Fund, Source Code Capital, and Shenzhen Capital Group.
Local investors pump $54m into China's Rokid
Rokid, a China-based company specialising in augmented reality (AR) technology, has raised CNY384m（USD53mn）across two tranches, largely from state-linked investors.
China AR start-up with celebrity founder raises $55m
Meituan investment unit Dragonball Capital has led a CNY 400m (USD 55m) angel round for Thin Red Line, a China-based start-up that provides operating systems for augmented reality (AR) glasses.
China to Singapore: A VC invasion
Chinese venture capital firms are establishing and expanding operations in Singapore in response to challenges at home and to address the Southeast Asian market. Do they have staying power?
China battery maker WeLion secures $207m Series D
Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology, a China-based manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, has raised CNY 1.5bn (USD 207m) in Series D funding led by Chengtong State-Owned Enterprises Mixed Ownership Reform Fund.
Dayone invests $63m in China liquor brand
China’s Dayone Capital has committed CNY 600m (USD 83m) to Guizhou Zhengong Spirits, a producer of mid- to high-end sauce-flavoured liquor, in what is described as an initial funding round.
L Catterton hits first close on debut renminbi fund
L Catterton, a global private equity firm dedicated to consumer-focused investments, has reached a first close on its debut renminbi-denominated fund. The overall target is CNY 2bn (USD 275m).
China's Inspiration Capital closes Fund II on $82m
Inspiration Capital, a spinout from Qiming Venture Partners, has raised CNY 600m (USD 82m) for its second renminbi-denominated fund focused on cleantech and advanced manufacturing investments in China.
China used goods platform Plum gets $100m Series C
Plum, a China-based online retailer specialising in second-hand apparel and accessories, has raised USD 100m series C funding led by Zhuanzhuan Group, another used goods marketplace.
Q&A: China Creation Ventures' Wei Zhou
Wei Zhou, founder of China Creation Ventures (CCV), on why local GPs are targeting Southeast Asia, working with Chinese entrepreneurs overseas, and the prospects for renminbi and US dollar funds
Deal focus: Reap looks beyond Hong Kong
Having proved its business model and build up a customer base in Hong Kong, small business credit specialist Reap will use part of its USD 40m Series A round to pursue international expansion
China's Bright Capital raises $137m
China-based venture capital firm Bright Capital has raised CNY 1bn (USD 137m) across two funds - its third renminbi-denominated vehicle and its first US dollar fund.
Hong Kong payments player Reap gets $40m Series A
Hong Kong-based financial technology company Reap has raised a USD 40m Series A - comprising equity and debt - led by Acorn Pacific Ventures, Arcadia Funds, and HashKey Capital.
Hidden Hill leads $330m round for Geely's China NEV unit
Farizon Auto, a new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Chinese automaker Geely, has secured USD 300m in pre-Series A funding led by Hidden Hill Capital, a private equity arm of local warehouse operator turned logistics and infrastructure investment manager...
China IT maintenance player raises $27m
Chinese IT system operations and maintenance solutions provider Bizseer Technology has raised a Series C round of about CNY 200m (USD 27m) led by Firstred Capital.
Profile: Charles Li
Charles Li became known as a financial markets reformist during his stint in charge of Hong Kong’s stock exchange. He continues in the same vein at the helm of fintech start-up Micro Connect
China EV brand Aion raises $2.5b
GAC Aion, an electric vehicle (EV) brand under GAC Group, a Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturer, has raised CNY 18.3bn (USD 2.5bn) in Series A funding at a valuation of CNY 103.2bn from 53 so-called strategic investors.