Articles by Andrew Woodman
PE-backed Cath Kidston buys back Japan business
Cath Kidston, the UK lifestyle retailer controlled by Baring Private Equity Asia and TA Associates, has bought back its Japan operations - its largest outside the UK - from local conglomerate TSI holdings for an undisclosed sum.
Japan's Recruit Holdings invests $7.5m in US-based HackerRank
Japan's Recruit Holdings has paid $7.5 million for a stake in HackerRank, a US technical recruitment platform owned by Interviewstreet, via its $20 million corporate venture capital fund - HR Technology Fund.
Q&A: Advantage Partners' Emmett Thomas
Emmett Thomas, head of Asia at Advantage Partners, explains why helping Japanese firms enter other markets in the region and bringing Asian companies into Japan has become an important investment thesis.
Southeast Asia start-ups: Connecting the dots
The start-up scene in Southeast Asia is growing apace but making the most of the region's potential is as much about having cross-border capabilities as it is about targeting the right opportunities
Japan's Jafco invests $2.5m in traffic analytics tool
Japanese venture capital firm Jafco has invested JPY3 million ($2.5 million) in Wacul, a Tokyo-based start-up that offers website improvement consulting.
SAIF Partners names former Freecharge CEO as MD
Alok Goel, former CEO for Indian mobile recharge service FreeCharge, has joined private equity firm SAIF Partners as its new managing director.
KIC invests $100m in US pet supplies firm
South Korea's sovereign wealth fund KIC has invested $100 million in US-based pet supplies and services retail chain PetSmart as part of a takeover led by US private equity firm BC Partners.
LVMH acquires Singapore VC-backed beauty e-commerce start-up
Luxury goods conglomerate LVMH has acquired Luxola, a VC-backed beauty e-commerce start-up based in Singapore, for an undisclosed sum.
Indian doctor search app Lybrate secures $10m
Tiger Global has led a $10.2 million Series B round investment in Indian doctor search app Lybrate.
Japan's Genesis Healthcare raises $5.1m from Founders Fund, Mitsui
US early stage investor Founders Fund and Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co have together invested JPY620 million ($5.1 million) in Genesis Healthcare, a Tokyo-based start-up that develops genetic testing kits, in exchange for a 6% stake.
Australia's PE-backed Nintex acquires US-based Drawloop
Nintex Group, an Australian software provider backed by TA Associates, has agreed to acquire Drawloop Technologies, a US-based software platform that offers automated document services.
Helion leads $30m round for big data start-up Axtria
Helion Venture Partners has led a $30 million investment in US-based big data analytics firm Axtria. Silicon Valley venture capitalist Gururaj Deshpande also participated in the round alongside existing angel investors Amar Sawhney, Rick Braddock and...
Baring PE Asia to acquire Orangefield Group
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to acquire fund administration and corporate services firm Orangefield Group from AAC Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount.
Tata Capital leads Series B round for Singapore's Nearex
Tata Capital has led an undisclosed Series B round investment in Singapore micro-payments start-up Nearex via its Tata Capital Growth Fund. Existing investors Beenos Asia and Xinvesco also took part in the round.
Deal focus: Investors book trip with China's Tongcheng
China's travel industry is booming but it is still heavily reliant on offline transactions. According to Derek Wang, an executive director with CITIC Capital, online penetration of the sector is just 12% – a tiny figure when set against 55% in the US...
Deal focus: VCs dine on Korea's MangoPlate
Nothing illustrates South Korea's obsession with food better than a new foodie craze called Mukbang.
Former Cyberagent Ventures Beijing head forms $30m China fund
Joei Dai, the former general manager of CyberAgent Ventures China in Beijing, has formed a venture capital firm Gravity Venture Capital (GVC) and is looking to raise $30 million to back Chinese start-ups.
500 Start-ups, Gree lead Indonesia game studio Series C round
US early stage investor 500 Startups and Japanese gaming giant Gree have led an undisclosed Series C round investment in Indonesian game start-up Touchten Games.
Former Emerald Hill exec secures commitments for China fund-of-funds
Unicorn Capital Partners, a new China-focused venture capital fund-of-funds launched by Emerald Hill Capital Partners' former head of North Asia Tommy Yip, has secured initial commitments of $12 million for its maiden fund - Unicorn Partners Fund I.
Japan's Recruit Holdings acquires UK edutech startup Quipper
Japan's Recruit Holdings has acquired VC-backed UK edutech start-up Quipper for $40 million.
Blackstone names Liping Zhang as Greater China chairman
Blackstone has appointed Liping Zhang as senior managing director and Greater China chairman. Zhang joins the company from Credit Suisse, where he served as co-CEO of Greater China and vice chairman of global investment banking.
Ratan Tata joins Jungle Ventures as special advisor
Ratan Tata - chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, holding company for India conglomerate Tata Group - has joined Singapore-based early-stage investor Jungle Ventures as a special advisor.
SAIF commits $5m in Series A funding to India's Zoomo
SAIF Partners has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for YoungMonk Technologies, the start-up behind peer-to-peer (P2P) used car marketplace Zoomo.
Ratan Tata backs India taxi platform Ola
Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Group holding company Tata Sons, has invested an undisclosed amount in India taxi-booking platform Ola.