Investments
Japanese flying car developer receives $14m
Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has raised a $14 million funding round from a group including Itochu Technology Ventures and Strive.
Chinese start-up media player 36Kr files for US IPO
36Kr, a Chinese news service that covers start-ups and emerging business models, has filed for a US IPO.
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Raj Makam
Raj Makam, co-portfolio manager for Oaktree Capital’s middle-market finance group, discusses the dangers that may await investors in the overheating US direct lending space
VIG acquires Korean education business
VIG Partners has agreed to pay KRW165 billion ($137 million) for a controlling stake in D.Share, an online-offline English language education provider in Korea.
Glenwood agrees $263m Korean glass carve-out
Glenwood Private Equity, a GP led by the son of Samsung Group’s former vice chairman, has agreed to buy the Korean glass-making operation of France-based Saint-Gobain for an enterprise value of EUR240 million ($263 million).
Hopu invests $119m in Chinese airport operator
Hopu Investments has agreed to invest HK$933 million ($119 million) in Regal International Airport, which operates Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan province and has ties to troubled Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.
Chinese snacks business receives $14m Series B
A1 Snack Lab – a Chinese snack brand based in Xiamen - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series B funding from new and existing investors.
Bain buys Japanese email business from Cheetah Digital
Bain Capital Private Equity has acquired the Japanese email services business of Cheetah Digital, a US marketing firm backed by San Francisco-based Vector Capital.
CDC names Bangladeshi head, invests local bank
UK-based development finance institution CDC Group has cemented its presence in Bangladesh through an investment in local lender BRAC Bank and the naming of a country director.
Asia fintech: Micro is big
The lowest common denominator is getting lower in financial services as technology reaches deeper into the sector. Investors must keep up to speed on business model evolution
New Mountain Capital buys US-India BPO player
US private equity firm New Mountain Capital has agreed to acquire Emids, a US-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) provider with extensive operations in India, for an undisclosed sum.
Japan Industrial Partners agrees manufacturing carve-outs
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) is poised to complete two carve-outs in the copper tube manufacturing space, having agreed to acquire a majority stake in a Kobe Steel-Mitsubishi Material joint venture and buy a division from Furukawa Electric.
Japan investors back US token player Securitize
Japanese investors are supporting efforts to bring token-based economic infrastructure to Japan with participation in a $14 million round for US-based digital securities technology player Securitize.
Sequoia leads $15m round for India's Darwinbox
Sequoia Capital India has led a $15 million Series B round for Indian human resources (HR) technology platform Darwinbox.
Deal focus: Russell Simmons backs Singapore's Gushcloud
Singapore-based Gushcloud International has teamed up with the founder of Def Jam Recordings to create a digital talent agency that realizes value for social media influencers in Asia and America
India SME platform OfBusiness raises $35m Series D
OfBusiness, an Indian smart financing services provider for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) has received an INR2.5 billion ($35 million) Series D round led by Norwest Venture Partners.
Chinese community group buying player receives $14m
Chujia Xinxuan – a community group buying platform under Guangzhou-based Chang Zheng Group - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) from GF Xinde Investment, an investment arm of GF securities.
New Zealand’s Fonterra exits pharma business to CVC
New Zealand dairy group Fonterra has agreed to sell its stake in DFE Pharma, a 50-50 joint venture with Royal FrieslandCampina of the Netherlands, to CVC Capital Partners for NZ$633 million ($398 million).
Chinese enterprise software provider gets $35m Series A
Deepexi, a Chinese digital enterprise services provider, has raised $35 million in a Series A round led by Morningside Venture Capital, Hillhouse Capital and IDG Capital.
Capricorn Capital acquires Hong Kong accounting firm A-Pass
Capricorn Capital, a UK-based family office, has paid an undisclosed sum for a 67% stake in Hong Kong accounting and corporate services firm A-Pass.
Skybound Capital acquires Australia’s Fair Go Finance
Hong Kong-based private equity investor Skybound Capital has acquired a 60% stake in Australian online loans provider Fair Go Finance for A$20 million ($13.6 million).
China autonomous driving start-up receives $50m pre-A
DeepRoute, a Shenzhen-based autonomous driving solutions provider, has received $50 million in a pre-A funding round led by Fosun RZ Capital.
Australia leveraged finance: Best blend?
Two years ago, unitranche structures were a novelty in Australia’s leveraged finance market. Now they are an integral part of it. For borrowers and lenders, there might be no turning back
Navis acquires Thailand's Srithai Food Group
Navis Capital Partners has paid an undisclosed sum for a controlling stake in Srithai Food Group, a Thailand-based restaurant supplier focused on the seasoning and condiments segment.