Investments
GPs see specialization as antidote to challenging market - AVCJ Forum
Investors at the AVCJ Forum offered optimistic outlooks for 2020 but said tighter deal markets would demand specialization in defensive sectors and a closer watch on valuations.
China electric car maker Xpeng closes $400m Series C
Xpeng Motors, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer established by Xiaopeng He, previously founder of web browser UCWeb and a senior executive at Alibaba Group, has raised $400 million in Series C funding.
Unison agrees $526m Japan pharma carve-out
Unison Capital has agreed to buy Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry, a Japanese subsidiary of India-headquartered drug manufacturer Lupin for an enterprise valuation of JPY57.4 billion ($526 million).
Korean mobile app market One Store gets $86m
One Store, a Korean mobile app market controlled by SK Telecom, has raised a KRW100 billion ($86 million) round led by local VC firm Kiwoom Investment.
PAG, Centurium win firm of the year prizes at AVCJ Awards
PAG Asia Capital and Centurium Capital secured the two firm of the year prizes at the 2019 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, while Renuka Ramnath of India’s Multiples Alternative Asset Management won the AVCJ Special Achievement Award.
Chinese medical device start-up receives $100m
Chinese medical instrument provider Peijia Medical has raised a RMB700 million ($100 million) Series C round from a group including Matrix Partners China and Lilly Asia Ventures.
Alibaba invests $3.3b in logistics affiliate Cainiao
Alibaba Group has enlarged a controlling stake in its PE-backed shipping affiliate Cainiao Smart Logistics Network with a $3.3 billion investment.
TPG leads $32m round for India bank
TPG Capital has led a INR2.2 billion ($32 million) funding round for India's Jana Small Finance Bank, which focuses on financial inclusion through digital services.
Japan's WealthNavi secures $37m funding round
A fund launched by Sony Financial Ventures and Global Brain is among the participants in a JPY4.1 billion ($37.5 million) funding round for Japanese financial technology start-up WealthNavi.
Hillhouse, Crystal Stream invest African logistics start-up
Lori Systems, one of Africa’s largest logistics coordination platforms, has raised almost $30 million in a Series A round led by Hillhouse Capital and Crystal Stream Capital.
Vietnam media platform Pops gets $30m
Korean investors Mirae Asset Capital, EastBridge Partners, and Naver have provided $30 million in growth capital to Vietnamese online entertainment broadcaster Pops.
SoftBank founder admits to lapses on WeWork
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son admitted to a lapse in judgment on WeWork while disclosing that SoftBank Vision Fund and SoftBank Group have written down their positions in the beleaguered co-working space provider by a combined $7.7 billion.
PE & QSR: Going greenfield in India
Localization was the key for Everstone Group when rolling out Burger King in an India market that is both price-sensitive and not known for its appreciation of beef
Pakistan’s Airlift raises $12m Series A
Pakistan’s Airlift, a bus-hailing app, has raised a $12 million Series A round led by US-based First Round Capital. It is being called the largest ever Series A in Pakistan.
Chinese antibody drug developer raises $150m
Akeso Biopharma, a Chinese biotech company specializing in antibody drugs, has raised a $150 million Series D round led by Loyal Valley Capital and Sino Biopharm.
Chinese fresh produce retailer raises $14m
Maison Capital has invested RMB100 million ($14 million) in Sungiven Foods, a Chinese fresh produce retailer looking to replicate the model of US-based Trader Joe's.
HQ hires AB Value's Kitamura for Japan coverage
Motoya Kitamura, previously managing partner of Japanese secondaries investor AB Value Capital Partners, has joined HQ Capital as a managing director.
Australia: VC in vogue
A handful of Australian superannuation funds have started investing directly in local start-ups as well as backing VC funds. Is buying a strip off one of these portfolios the next step?
CPE adds to Australian defense, aerospace assets
CPE Capital – formerly known as CHAMP Private Equity – has secured its second Australian defense sector deal in eight months with an agreement to buy Levett Engineering.
Japan's Paidy secures $143m in funding
Paidy, one of Japan’s largest financial technology start-ups, has confirmed $143 million in new funding, comprising an extended Series C round and debt financing.
CDIB completes acquisition of Taiwan's Jintex
CDIB Capital has confirmed completion of its NT$1.9 billion ($61 million) acquisition of Taiwanese chemicals producer Jintex.
Blackstone backs India’s Aakash Educational
The Blackstone Group has invested an undisclosed sum in New Delhi-based Aakash Educational Services with a view to building India’s largest digital omnichannel test preparation company.
TDM Growth leads $48m Series C for Australia's Rokt
TDM Growth Partners, an Australian GP that invests across public and private companies, has led a $48 million Series C round for local marketing technology supplier Rokt.
Chinese auto parts platform Casstime raises $80m
Sequoia Capital China and Source Code Capital have co-led a $80 million funding round – described as the first tranche of a Series C – for Chinese aftermarket car parts supplier Casstime.
