Investments
Deal focus: Vivriti aims to bring debt online
India's private debt markets lack coordination and standardization. Vivriti Capital hopes to fix this by bringing issuance online. LGT Lightstone Aspada has provided $50 million in support of this effort
Temasek, Tencent lead $300m round for China's MiningLamp
MiningLamp Technology, a Chinese big data company, has raised $300 million Series E led by Temasek Holdings and Tencent Holdings. Kuaishou, a local short-video sharing platform backed by Tencent, also took part in the round.
Japanese AI edge developer secures Series B funding
AISing, a Japan-based developer of edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology used in industrial robots and self-driving cars, has raised JPY700 million ($6.5 million) in Series B funding.
TA Associates backs tech enablement start-up
Accion Labs, a US-headquartered start-up with Asian operations that helps companies implement emerging technologies, has received a strategic growth investment by TA Associates.
Chinese smart IT services provider Udesk raises $35m
Udesk, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider focused on customer service systems, has raised RMB250 million ($35 million) in an extended Series C round from an undisclosed US hedge fund.
Provident Growth leads $20m round for Singapore's Horangi
Horangi, a Singaporean cybersecurity specialist, raised $20 million in a Series B round led by Provident Growth, a Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm in Hong Kong.
Coronavirus & secondaries: Niche dilemmas
Anecdotal feedback from secondaries professionals reveals a quick onset of stagnation in the market due to COVID-19. Creative workarounds are not impossible, but almost
Temasek leads $70m Series C for China's Abbisko Therapeutics
Temasek Holdings has led a $70 million Series C round for Chinese drug developer Abbisko Therapeutics.
Everest leads Series A for Chinese map provider
Fengxing Zhitu, a subsidiary of Chinese courier company SF Express, has raised a RMB100 million ($14 million) Series A round led by Everest Venture Capital. Oriza Holdings, Maison Capital, and Jade Capital also took part.
Alternative protein player Nature's Fynd gets $80m Series B
Nature’s Fynd, a US-based developer of edible proteins from non-animal and non-plant sources that is seen as having considerable application potential in Asia, has raised $80 million in Series B funding.
GP profile: GTJA Investment Group
Having established itself as a leading player in the renminbi space, China healthcare sector specialist GTJA Investment Group now wants to prove its worth to overseas LPs
KKR-backed IndiGrid acquires transmission asset for $134m
India Grid Trust (IndiGrid), an infrastructure investment trust backed by KKR and GIC Private, has acquired a power distribution company in northeast India for INR10.2 billion ($134 million).
Hillhouse leads $60m Series B for China biotech player
Hillhouse Capital has led a $60 million Series B round for China’s Iaso Biotherapeutics via its newly established VC unit GL Ventures.
Chinese optical semiconductor maker raises $14m
Bosheng Guangdian, a Chinese optical semiconductor maker targeting the smart phone market, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) from a group featuring Vision Knight Capital.
Coronavirus & leverage: Room to maneuver?
Economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak is likely to leave many private equity portfolio companies in breach of their leverage covenants. Borrowers and lenders are looking for a fix
Chinese cultural education business secures $21m Series B
Qinhan Hutong, a Chinese education provider that offers an art and culture curriculum, has raised RMB150 million ($21 million) in Series B funding from Mingde Chuancheng, a Shanghai-based education and consulting company.
Korea cybersecurity player raises $8m Series B
SecuLetter, a Korean cybersecurity technology provider, has raised a $8 million Series B round that included Saudi Arabian VC firm Riyadh Valley Company.
GLP backs $1.37b take-private of Hong Kong's Li & Fung
The founders of Hong Kong-listed Li & Fung have teamed up with PE-owned warehouse operator GLP on a take-private offer that values their company at HK$10.7 billion ($1.37 billion).
Colombia VC to bridge Southeast Asia, Latin America
Latin Leap, a Colombian VC investor and start-up services provider, has launched a boutique fund targeting $20 million to help Southeast Asian companies expand into Latin America.
Norwest leads Series E for Indian NBFC Veritas Finance
Norwest Venture Partners has led a INR3.5 billion ($46 million) Series E round for Veritas Finance, an Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) that issues loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Sequoia invests $171m in Chinese dairy products manufacturer
Sequoia Capital China has invested of RMB1.2 billion ($171 million) in Chinese dairy products manufacturer Junlebao, becoming the largest institutional investor with a 15.26% stake.
Deal focus: Neolix finds its self-driving niche
Unable to achieve the cost-effectiveness of America's driverless grocery delivery services in China, Neolix refocused on transporting meals. Investor Yunqi Partners believes simple solutions mean quicker commercialization
India’s Oyo closes Series F round at $1.5b
Indian hotel platform Oyo has concluded a $1.5 billion Series F round by raising $807 million from RA Hospitality Holdings, an entity controlled by founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal, and SoftBank Vision Fund.
Village Roadshow suitors continue work despite coronavirus disruption
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and BGH Capital are continuing their due diligence on Australian cinema and theme park operator Village Roadshow despite the company experiencing difficulties due to coronavirus outbreak.
