Articles by Andrew Woodman
Fund focus: Lightspeed gets traction in India
In 2010, Lightspeed Venture Partners concluded that it could more effectively tap China’s burgeoning technology space with a dedicated country fund. A China vehicle was duly launched and reached a final close in 2013 at $168 million.
Profile: BPI's Dennis Montecillo
After 15 years spent advising PE firms in Asia, Dennis Montecillo has returned to his native country as executive vice president with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). The timing could not be better
Samurai Incubate launches Israel accelerator
Tokyo-headquartered start-up accelerator Samurai Incubate is recruiting Japanese companies to participate in its three-month Israel accelerator program.
Japan bitcoin exchange raises $4m
Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange platform bitFlyer has raised a JPY510 million ($4 million) round of funding from a group of Japanese investors.
CVC appoints Steve Lim as South Korea chairman
CVC Capital Partners has hired Steve Lim, former CEO and managing director of JP Morgan in South Korea, as its chairman in the country.
Quvat's Tom Lembong made Indonesia trade minister
Tom Lembong, former CEO and managing partner of Quvat Capital, has been made Indonesia's trade minister as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by President Joko Widodo.
Lightspeed reaches $135m final close on India fund
US-based Lightspeed Venture Partners has reached a final close on its first India-focused fund at the hard-cap of $135 million.
GIC supports Carlyle's $8b Veritas acquisition
Singapore's GIC Private has joined The Carlyle Group in its $8 billion acquisition of Silicon Valley-based Veritas, the information management unit of US tech giant Symantec.
ChrysCapital invests $63m in US IT consulting firm Infogain
ChrysCapital has invested $63 million in Infogain, an Silicon Valley-based IT consulting firm, in exchange for a majority stake in the business.
Malaysia's Axiata Group buys VC-backed Komli's SE Asia unit
Malaysian telecommunications giant Axiata Group has acquired the Southeast Asian business of Komli Media, the Mumbai-based digital media firm backed by a slew of venture capital investors, for $11.25 million.
INCJ, AXA invest $5m in Japan's Smartdrive
The state-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan has joined Axa Direct Japan - the Japanese unit of the French insurer AXA - to invest JPY660 million ($5.3 million) in Smart Drive, a Tokyo-based start-up providing automobile data analytics.
Japan sportswear firm buys PE-backed UK brand
Japanese sportswear company Descente has bought an 80% stake in UK sports brand Inov-8, providing an exit for the firm's private equity backer Livingbridge. The financial details were not disclosed.
EQT exits Singapore's Classic Fine Foods to German retail group
EQT Partners has exited Singapore-based food service company Classic Fine Foods (CFF) to the listed German retailing company Metro Group in a deal valuing the company at $290 million.
Japan's Dentsu backs US social robot start-up Jibo
Dentsu Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese advertising giant, has invested $3 million in US social robot start-up Jibo.
MIRA invests $122m in India's Ind-Barath Energy
Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets (MIRA) has invested INR7.8 billion ($122 million) in India power producer Ind Barath Power Infra (IBPIL), providing an exit for 3i and PTC Financial Services.
Helion invests $3m in India mobile services player Doormint
Helion Venture Partners has committed $3 million in a Series A round of investment to Blackcotton Solutions, the start-up behind Indian mobile home services platform Doormint. Kalaari Capital also took part in the round.
Japan's Lemonade Lab raises $5.8m
Japanese sport analytics platform Lemonade Lab has raised $5.8 million from FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn International, and several angel investors.
Adenium Energy, Hudson Clean Energy form $300m Japan solar JV
Dubai-based Adenium Energy Capital and US PE firm Hudson Clean Energy Partners have set up a joint venture that will invest $300 million in Japanese solar power projects.
SoftBank: Venture legacy
SoftBank’s direct investment activity has shifted towards later-stage deals and it is expected to remain there. But the Japanese technology giant has not given up on its VC affiliates and subsidiaries in Asia
SoftBank leads $100m round for India's Oyo Rooms
SoftBank has led a $100 million Series B round of funding for Oravel Stays, the start-up behind Indian budget hotel booking marketplace OyoRooms.
WestBridge increases holding in Indian tire maker
India's WestBridge Capital Partners has increased its stake in CEAT, a publically-listed tire manufacturer headquartered in Mumbai.
SCPE, IFC, ADB back India affordable housing JV
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have formed an affordable housing joint venture with Indian real estate giant Shapoorji Pallonji.
Navis exits ECO Industrial to China's Beijing Capital
Navis Capital Partners sold ECO Industrial Environmental Engineering, a Singapore-based hazardous waste management firm, to Beijing Capital Group (BCG) for S$246 million ($179 million)
Australia's Autopilot raises $7m round
US cloud computing firm Salesforce has a led $7 million round for Australian marketing platform Autopilot, alongside Stage1 Capital. Existing investors include Rembrandt Venture Partners, Blackbird Ventures, Southern Cross Venture Partners, Garnett Ventures...