Investments
Japan's Polaris to back Panasonic security spin-out
Japan’s Polaris Capital has agreed to back Panasonic i-Pro Sensing Solutions, a spin-out of Panasonic that will take over the parent company’s security systems business in Japan and overseas.
China-US tensions hinder PE fundraising, redraw investment options
Trade tensions between China and the US have held back private equity fundraising in recent months, but industry participants are also considering the long-term challenges – and opportunities – of a schism between the world’s two largest economies.
Chinese fintech player Wiseco raises $94m Series A
Chinese financial technology start-up Wiseco Technology, which provides big data-powered risk control and debt collection services, has raised RMB650 million ($94 million) in a Series A round led by Huading Capital and Sino Ocean Group.
Deal focus: KaiOS looks beyond the iPhone
Hong Kong-based KaiOS Technologies has secured a $50 million Series B round for an expansion plan targeting what could be the mobile telecommunication industry’s most underserved segment
Chinese smart robot maker gets $14m Series A
CMB International Capital has led a RMB100 million ($14 million) Series A round of funding for Robosen, a Chinese smart robot manufacturer. Yu Hu, co-CEO of local voice recognition software developer iFlytek also took part.
China GPs target tech angles in consumer plays
All China consumer deals are now technology deals, but investors must back up this positioning with meaningful value-add capabilities in areas such as digital marketing and data analytics or risk being accused of embellishing a technology thesis for the...
Portfolio: Mekong and Pharmacity
Mekong Capital has spent the last two years helping Pharmacity bring Vietnam’s outdated retail pharmacy market into the modern age. Now the company is preparing to fend off a wave of copycats
Flipkart's Bansal leads $51m round for India EV player
Sachin Bansal, co-founder of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, has led a $51 million investment in local electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Ather Energy.
China's Alphamab Oncology gets $60m Series B
Chinese biopharmaceutical developer Alphamab Oncology has completed a $60 million Series B round led by US and UK-based investor Hudson Bay Capital Management.
Openspace backs Indonesian agtech start-up
Openspace Ventures has led a $10 million Series A round for Indonesian agricultural technology start-up TaniGroup.
Guangdian, Fosun lead round for Chinese pet products player
China-based pet products producer Crazy Dog has raised RMB300 million ($43 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Guangdian Capital and Fosun International.
TPG, Warburg Pincus subscribe to Uxin convertible note
Uxin, a Chinese used car trading platform that went public last year, has raised $230 million through a convertible note issued to investors including Warburg Pincus and TPG Capital.
EQT Infrastructure offers $2.6b for Australia's Vocus
EQT Infrastructure has offered to acquire all the shares in Australia-listed broadband internet provider Vocus Group in a deal that values the company at about A$3.3 billion ($2.3 billion).
Hong Kong investors subscribe to movie crypto offering
Two Hong Kong investors will commit $100 million to a digital token offering by Proxima Media, a Hollywood production house established by Ryan Kavanaugh, who previously worked with SAIF Partners and IDG Capital on a China-focused film venture.
Japanese food tech start-up secures Series A round
Japan’s Base Food, a company that produces packaged meals that are said to be nutritionally complete, has raised JPY400 million ($3.7 million) in Series A funding from a group including Global Brain.
MBK to buy majority stake in Korea's Lotte Card for $1.2b
MBK Partners has agreed to assume majority control of the credit card business of South Korean conglomerate Lotte Corporation in a deal worth KRW1.38 trillion ($1.17 billion).
VC investors excited by Vietnam's tech talent - AVCJ Forum
Vietnam’s deepening pool of technology talent could be its biggest asset as the country evolves from a nascent start-up ecosystem to one capable of generating multiple unicorns.
China's New Horizon Health raises $66m Series C
China-based New Horizon Health, which produces home cancer test kits, has raised $66 million in a Series C round of funding led by VMS Group, a Hong Kong-based investment firm.
TPG-SoftBank fund backs Chinese SaaS platform
China-based Wangdiantong, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform provider for retailers, has raised over RMB100 million ($14.5 million) from a fund backed by TPG Capital and SoftBank Ventures Asia.
Adamantem makes $69m bid for Australia's Legend Corp
The board of Australian electrical products manufacturer Legend Corporation has endorsed a takeover bid from Adamantem Capital at an enterprise valuation of A$100.6 million ($69.7 million).
Affirma to buy Korean cosmetics manufacturer
Affirma Capital, a GP established through the spin-out of Standard Chartered’s private equity business, has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in South Korea-based Hwa Sung Cosmetics.
China’s Allist Pharmaceuticals raises $171m Series A
Shanghai-based drug developer Allist Pharmaceuticals has raised RMB1.2 billion ($171 million) in a Series A round of funding led by Shiyu Capital. Other participants include Loyal Valley Capital and Suzhou Industrial Park Bioventure Investment.
SBI joins $35m Series B for Japan's Pixie Dust
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan’s SBI Holdings, has joined a JPY3.8 billion $35 million Series B round for Pixie Dust Technologies, a local company developing novel uses for ultrasonic waves.
Technology key to Vietnam consumer deals - AVCJ Forum
Technology is a critical factor for any investor looking to participate in the Vietnam consumer story, whether they are backing retail businesses directly or any sector proxies, industry participants told the AVCJ Vietnam Forum.