Investments
Deal focus: Clearing up Southeast Asia’s currency chaos
Investors see opportunity in bringing a promising currency exchange-focused fintech model from Europe into Southeast Asia. Singapore-focused YouTrip is the region’s first mover in this niche
China education: Passing the test?
Capital has poured into China’s online education sector in recent years, but with losses mounting and valuations called into question, investors are finding that not all business models are created equal
China restaurant industry supplier gets $14m Series A
China-based Zuodashi, which provides digital solutions and food accompaniments to restaurant delivery businesses, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A round led by Hua Gai Capital.
Australia’s Canva raises $70m at $2.5b valuation
Australian graphic design start-up Canva has raised $70 million from investors including US-based General Catalyst and Bond Capital, the new vehicle of Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker. It values Canva at $2.5 billion.
Wu Capital leads round for Chinese vocational training business
Sanjieke, a China-based vocational training services provider, has raised an RMB130 million ($19 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Wu Capital.
ADV to buy heavy vehicles unit from India's Tata
ADV Partners has agreed to acquire heavy vehicles producer Dutch Lanka Trailer Manufacturers (DLT), a Sri Lanka-based subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Tata Group, for INR3.05 billion ($43.7 million).
Archipelago completes investment in Philippines bank
Southeast Asia-focused GP Archipelago Capital Partners has completed its investment in One Network Bank (ONB), the rural subsidiary of Philippines-listed financial services provider BDO Unibank.
New Zealand agtech player gets $6.7m
BioLumic, a New Zealand-based start-up that develops ultraviolet (UV) crop yield enhancement systems, has raised a $6.7 million Series A led by US agricultural technology VC firm Finistere Ventures.
Impact investment faces tricky path to standardization
Impact investing has reached a “fundamental inflection point” in terms of the availability of investment opportunities and interest from LPs, but the institutionalization process is not straightforward.
GA, Värde cancel planned investment in India's PNB
General Atlantic and Värde Partners have terminated a planned INR18.5 billion ($267 million) investment in PNB Housing Finance, the publicly listed mortgage subsidiary of India’s Punjab National Bank (PNB).
Qiming leads Series B for Chinese hospital chain operator
Qiming Venture Partners has led a Series B round of nearly RMB100 million ($14 million) for Shanghai-based private hospital chain operator SinoUnited Health.
Vietnam inbound investment: Regional rivals
Strategic interest in Vietnam is growing, especially among companies within Asia looking to tap growth no longer available at home. PE investors see them as partners – and sometimes as competitors
SoftBank leads $200m round for India's Grofers
Indian online grocer Grofers has raised more than $200 million in a Series F funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
Chinese IT equipment rental company raises Series B
China-based Little Bear Rental, which provides IT equipment services to corporates, has raised hundreds of millions of renminbi (over $14 million) in a Series B round of funding led by the Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises Development Fund - a government...
Hong Kong fintech player YouTrip gets $25.5m
Insignia Ventures Partners has joined a $25.5 million seed round for YouTrip, a Hong Kong-based financial technology company focused on travelers in Singapore.
IDG re-ups in Chinese co-working space provider
Kr Space, a China-based co-working space operator, has received RMB1 billion ($145 million) in a new round led by existing investor IDG Capital and new backers Gopher Asset Management and Yixing Capital.
Matrix exits India eye care chain
Matrix Partners India has made a full exit from Centre for Sight, operator of a chain of eye clinics in India, to Mahindra Partners after a holding period of nearly 10 years.
Temasek, Horizon lead $300m round for Impossible Foods
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and Horizon Ventures have led a $300 million round for Impossible Foods, a US vegetarian food technology company expanding into Asia.
Hong Kong fintech player raises $30m Series A
Hong Kong-based OneDegree, an insurance technology start-up, has raised over $30 million for its Series A led by financial technology-focused investment firm BitRock Capital.
CITIC Capital invests in Singapore marketing firm
CITIC Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in Cityneon, an entertainment media-focused marketing firm based in Singapore.
ION to buy majority stake in Acuris
Financial software and data platform developer ION Investment Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Acuris, the parent company of AVCJ, for an undisclosed amount. The deal will provide a full exit for Singapore’s GIC Private, while current...
PE investors commit $1b to JD.com's healthcare unit
A group including CITIC Private Equity, CICC Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to invest $1 billion in the healthcare unit of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, acquiring a combined stake of 14.5%.
Deal focus: CDIB finds media consumption proxy
CDIB Capital is backing VHQ China to leverage the growing demand for visual effects in China's domestic movie and TV production industry
Chinese gene tech equipment maker raises $200m
MGI Tech, a Chinese manufacturer of equipment used in gene sequencing, has raised $200 million in funding led by Goldstone Investment, the PE arm under CITIC Securities, Green Pine Capital Partners and Orient Securities Capital Investment.
