Investments
Medical devices: Proceed with caution
Medical devices has become a difficult place to invest but potentially all the more rewarding for those willing to take the plunge. Asia is in a prime position globally
China smart parking manager raises $42m Series C
Beijing-based smart parking management solution provider AIpark has raised a RMB300 million ($42 million) Series C round led by Gaorong Capital.
MBK-owned Accordia Golf to buy courses from Singapore trust
Japan’s Accordia Golf, which was acquired by MBK Partners in 2017, has agreed a S$804.1 million ($577 million) privatization of a Singapore-listed trust it established six years ago as the holding entity for 88 golf courses.
Lightspeed leads round for Singapore mapping software player
Lightspeed India Partners and Falcon Edge Capital have led a $7 million Series A round for Nextbillion, a Singapore-based provider of artificial intelligence-enabled mapping software solutions.
Deal focus: A91 spices up its portfolio
In backing spices maker Pushp, A91 Partners has gained exposure to what might be the most profitable segment of India's broader food space, with margins comparable to those for cosmetics
China education player Zuoyebang raises $750m
Zuoyebang, a Chinese K-12 education platform that spun out from domestic search giant Baidu, has raised $750 million in Series E funding led by Fountainvest Partners and Tiger Global Management.
CapitalG leads $27.5m Series E for Indian NBFC
CapitalG, Google’s corporate venture arm that focuses on growth equity investments, has led an INR2.1 billion ($27.5 million) funding round for Indian non-bank lender Aye Finance.
Bond Capital backs India education platform Byju's
Bond Capital, the technology investment firm established by Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker, has struck its debut deal in India with a commitment to online learning provider Byju’s.
CLSA acquires Japan household jobs marketplace
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Assist, a Japanese marketplace that facilitates sourcing helpers for daily household jobs.
Carlyle to buy 20% of Piramal's India pharma business
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest approximately $490 million for a 20% stake in pharmaceutical division of India’s Piramal Enterprises, which has interests ranging from outsourced drug development to an ophthalmology joint venture with Allergan....
China LGBTQ investments: Pink power
There has been little VC investment in Chinese LGBTQ social platforms since 2017 due to regulatory concerns. Will gay dating site Blued’s US IPO reignite interest in the space?
Deal focus: Carlyle pursues largest India animal healthcare deal
The Carlyle Group is willing to invest as much as $210 million in SeQuent Scientific to get a head start in India's rapidly evolving animal healthcare industry
General Atlantic invests $100m in Chinese drug maker
General Atlantic has invested $100 million in NASDAQ-listed Chinese cancer drug developer Hutchison China MediTech - also known as Chi-Med - a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings.
Japan Industrial Partners to buy Olympus' imaging division
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) has agreed to acquire Olympus Corporation’s camera and lens business, which has posted losses in each of the last three years.
Australia cleantech start-up secures $7m
Horizons Ventures – a VC firm controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing – has joined a A$10 million ($7 million) round for an Australian start-up specializing in fungi-based carbon capture technology.
Ascent Capital backs Myanmar internet provider Frontiir
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm, has made its debut investment in Myanmar by leading a $26 million commitment to internet service provider (ISP) Frontiir.
Bain to buy Virgin Australia
Bain Capital has entered into an agreement to acquire and recapitalize beleaguered airline Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH).
Deal focus: Running the CFIUS gauntlet for Grindr
Grindr, America's most popular LGBTQ dating app, was only put up for sale because its Chinese owner violated foreign investment regulations. San Vicente's subsequent $560 million acquisition faced intense scrutiny
Deal focus: KKR's Vietnam macro proxy
KKR's investment in Vietnam property developer Vinhomes is supposed to tap into infrastructure development as well as the home-ownership ambitions of a burgeoning middle class
Asia lending start-ups: Bump in the road
Digital lenders in emerging markets need to survive a tricky year under the shadow of potential defaults, but the survivors might become significant players in a renewed financial landscape
India's Milkbasket raises $5.5m Series B
Inflection Point Ventures has led an INR420 million ($5.5 million) Series B round for Indian grocery delivery startup Milkbasket.
Hillhouse invests $400m in China data center player
Hillhouse Capital has taken a 3.9% interest in US-listed Chinese data center developer GDS Holdings for $400 million.
Australia's Canva raises $60m at $6b valuation
Canva, an Australian graphic design platform, has raised $60 million in VC funding, almost doubling its valuation to $6 billion. It attributed the growth to a shift online amid COVID-19.
Blackstone invests $150m in China's 21Vianet
The Blackstone Group has invested $150 million in 21Vianet, a US-listed Chinese data center developer backed by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.