Articles by Andrew Woodman
VC-backed Flipkart acquires India's AdIQuity
Indian VC-backed e-commerce giant Flipkart has acquired AdIQuity, a domestic mobile ad network. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Q&A: Baring PE Asia's Jean Eric Salata
Baring Private Equity Asia has closed its sixth fund at $3.98 billion. CEO Jean Eric Salata explains how the firm has sized up to raise its largest-ever vehicle, and where he expects to deploy the capital
Ola and TaxiForSure share a ride
Car ownership in India is very low; according to the country’s 2011 census, passenger vehicle penetration is just 4.9% overall and a mere 9% for urban areas. For a country of 1.3 billion, suffering from poor public transport, it means the demand for taxis...
Clarity calls: The PE take on India's budget
The first full budget by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was one of the most eagerly anticipated events for Indian private equity since last year’s election. Did it live up to the hype?
Japanese consortium buys US PE-backed juice maker
A consortium of Japanese investors has acquired Country Pure Foods, a US-based food service juice manufacturer, from US private equity firm Mistral Equity Partners.
Biopharma venture raises $7.3m from Korean investors
Korean healthcare-focused VC firm InterVest and tech-focused E&Investment have together invested $7.28 million in G-treeBNT, a Seoul-based diversified bio pharmaceutical business.
PEP to buy Kerry Group's Australian bakery unit
Australian GP Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to acquire Pinnacle, the Sydney-headquartered bakery unit of Irish food giant Kerry Group.
Korean education social network raises $3.2m
Classting, a South Korean social networking site for students and teachers, has raised a KRW3.5 billion ($3.17 million) Series B round of funding led by Partner Investment, a tech-focused PE firm based in Seoul.
CVC-backed HKBN IPO prices at top of range, raises $750m
Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN), an internet service provider controlled by CVC Capital Partners, has raised HK$5.8 billion ($750 million) in its Hong Kong IPO.
Cool Japan invests $37m in TV channel Wakuwaku
The government-backed Cool Japan Fund will contribute JPY4.4 billion ($37 million) to a JPY 11 billion investment in entertainment channel Wakuwaku Japan alongside SKY Perfect JSAT Corp (SJC).
Japan's Recruit buys VC-backed restaurant booking site
Japanese employment and internet services company Recruit Holdings has acquired German VC-backed restaurant booking site Quandoo for EUR198.6 million (about $219 million).
Singapore launches first equity crowdfunding platform
Andy Lim, co-founder of Tembusu Partners and founder financial services group MoneyWorld, has launched Singapore's first equity crowdfunding platform.
IMJ's Koichi Saito launches new VC fund
Koichi Saito, a former partner at Japanese venture capital firm IMJ Investment Partners, has launched his own VC outfit - KK Fund.
Baring scales up for Fund VI
By the time Baring Private Equity Asia reached a first close on its sixth pan-regional fund it was clear that LP demand would not easily be met. Only four months earlier the fund was launched with a $3 billion target, but by October logged commitments...
Bain soaks in hot spring opportunity
Along with conveyer belt sushi and lively karaoke nights, the hot spring visit is a uniquely Japanese pastime popular with both locals and, increasingly, those who visit the country.
Big data: Number crunchers
Already an established investment trend, big data is becoming increasingly mainstream. From a VC perspective, the money will be made by going specialist and helping clients turn numbers into commercial action
Maverick commits $15m to India adtech start-up
Maverick Capital Venture - the venture capital affiliate of hedge fund Maverick Capital - has led a $15 million round of funding for India and Southeast Asia-focused mobile marketing data platform Vserv.
Fenox invests $2m in Japan solar energy marketplace
Fenox Venture Capital has invested $2 million in I AND C-Cruise (IACC), the Japanese start-up behind solar power web portal Green-EnergyNavi.com.
Japan's INCJ joins acquisition of US biopharma firm
The government-backed Innovation Network corporation of Japan (INCJ), life sciences company JSR Corporation, and pharmaceutical research firm CMIC Holdings have together purchased US-based KBI BioPharma for an undisclosed sum.
VC-backed Ola acquires smaller rival TaxiForSure
India's largest VC-backed taxi-booking service Ola has acquired its smaller rival TaxiForSure for $200 million in a cash and stock deal.
KKR completes Japanese DJ equipment division purchase
KKR has completed its acquisition of Japanese electronics manufacturer Pioneer Corporation's DJ equipment division - Pioneer DJ.
India budget gives PE funds tax pass-through status
Private equity funds are to be given tax pass-through status as part of reforms outlined in India's first full budget since Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power in May last year.
KKR's Australia head Justin Reizes retires
Justin Reizes, head of KKR Australia, has retired after spending more than 15 years with the company, leading some of the GP's biggest deals in both Australia and New Zealand.
TPG buys $146m stake in India's Manipal Hospitals
TPG Capital has paid INR9 billion ($146 million) for a significant minority stake in healthcare services provider Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE).