Investments
ADB, DEG join $144m round for India solar player
Indian renewable energy developer Avaada Energy has raised a INR10 billion ($144 million) investment from a consortium including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and development institutions DEG and FMO.
Southeast Asia's Grab ups capital-raising target by $2b
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and online-to-offline (O2O) services platform Grab has confirmed it will seek to raise an additional $2 billion within 2019, bringing its ongoing Series H round to some $6.5 billion.
KTB leads round for Chinese EV trading platform
China-based Shenma Chuxing, which provides trading services for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid dealers, has raised $20 million in Series A funding from South Korea’s KTB Ventures and China’s Frees Fund.
Bain-Piramal fund invests $144m in India's Panacea
India Resurgence Fund (India RF), a joint venture between Bain Capital Credit and Piramal Enterprises to invest in distressed assets in India, has agreed to invest up to INR9.9 billion ($144 million) in Indian pharmaceutical developer Panacea Biotec.
China's acquisitive conglomerates: Tables turned
The troubles at China's HNA Group, Wanda Group and Anbang Insurance have removed a once popular exit channel for private equity, but now GPs may see these companies as a source of deal flow
Baring Asia buys 30% stake in India's NIIT Technologies
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to pay INR26.3 billion ($379 million) in cash for a 30% stake in India-listed IT services provider NIIT Technologies with plans to eventually take a majority position.
Everstone acquires IDFC-backed India hospital chain
India’s Everstone Group has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Sahyadri Hospitals, a portfolio company of IDFC Alternatives that operates eight hospitals in Maharashtra, for an undisclosed amount.
Ekuinas exits Malaysia healthcare businesses
Malaysian government-backed private equity firm Ekuinas has exited its entire majority holdings in local healthcare players MediExpress and PMCare to Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation.
Tencent backs China e-commerce service provider
Tencent Holdings has led a HK$911 million ($116 million) investment in Hong Kong-listed e-commerce service provider China Youzan, with participation by Gaocheng Capital and Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments, operator of the Greater Bay Area Homeland...
Deal focus: Boomplay aspires to become Africa’s Spotify
Boomplay has leveraged demand for its Chinese parent's smart phones to become the leading music streaming platform in Africa. Maison Capital and Yunshi Capital were sufficiently impressed to back a $20 million Series A round
Korean online grocery player secures $88m Series D
Market Kurly, a four-year-old Korean start-up that provides online grocery delivery services, has raised KRW100 billion ($88 million) in Series D funding.
Deal focus: Airwallex plots Asia payments expansion
Airwallex recently became Australia's newest unicorn following a $100 million Series C round, but the company's growth is largely based on an understanding of Chinese demand. Regional expansion is now the priority
Deal focus: Carlyle backs Tokiwa’s global beauty push
Well-established as a manufacturer of choice for global cosmetics brands looking to tweak their products for the Japanese market, Tokiwa is now looking to go global. The Carlyle Group will provide assistance
Chinese tea shop operator raises $29m
Lelecha, which operates around 35 milk tea stores across China, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Pre-Series A round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
Singapore crypto platform hits $1b valuation with Series C
Liquid.com, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency trading platform, has passed the $1 billion valuation mark with the first close of a Series C round led by IDG Capital.
Capital Today leads round for Chinese convenience store chain
China-based convenience store chain operator Linji has raised $30 million in Series B funding led by Capital Today China Group, with participation from existing investor Source Code Capital.
NIIF, PSP form $2b India toll road investment platform
The Indian government-backed National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has teamed up with Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) to launch a platform that will invest up to $2 billion in local toll road projects.
Chinese healthcare data management platform raises $74m
Miaojiankang, a China-based company that provides health data tracking, management, and analysis services through an online platform, has raised RMB500 million ($74 million) in a Series C round from China Pacific Insurance and Xiran Capital.
Profile: Openspace Ventures' Hian Goh
Hian Goh knows better than most Southeast Asian VC investors the cultural barriers that discourage the region’s entrepreneurs. With Openspace Ventures he aims to provide start-ups the support they need
China-Belarus fund backs Series C for chatbot specialist
The China-Belarus Industrial Investment Fund, an investment vehicle under China Merchants Group, has led a $41 million Series C round of funding for Shenzhen-based Zhuiyi Technology, an artificial intelligence start-up specializing in chatbots.
Samara invests in Indian personal care space
Samara Capital has purchased a 50% stake in Indian cosmetics maker Blue Heaven Cosmetics for an undisclosed amount, its second investment in the personal care segment in as many weeks.
Actis-backed Sprng acquires India solar portfolio
Sprng Energy, an Indian renewable energy platform backed by Actis Capital, has acquired a 194 megawatt portfolio of operating solar power assets from SP Infra, the infrastructure investment arm of Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
Deal focus: China’s data-enabled Workday
By applying artificial intelligence to human resources management, China's IfChange claims to make recruitment and retention more efficient. The company is now pushing to expand its customer base and product coverage
Asia's lower-tier cities: New horizons
PE and VC players are slowly discovering the investment and business expansion opportunities in the lower-tier cities of developing Asia. Risk-reward calculations are becoming more complex in the process