Investments
Meridian, Eastern Bell in $14m round for China's Putiandi
A group of investors including Meridian Capital and Eastern Bell Venture Capital has invested RMB90 million ($13.6 million) in China-based retail property-leasing platform Putiandi.
China's AnchorDx raises $28m Series B
AnchorDx, a China-based company that develops new clinical diagnosis products based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, has raised $28 million in a Series B round led by 6 Dimensions Capital and Sijia Jianxin Fund.
Pencarrow exits New Zealand's Icebreaker to US trade buyer
New Zealand’s Pencarrow Private Equity has agreed to sell its entire stake in Icebreaker, a domestic clothing brand that specializes in outdoor winter apparel, to US-listed competitor VF Corporation.
Sector funds: Special forces
The proliferation of fund managers targeting relatively focused investment segments signals a new maturity in Asian private equity. The trend will evolve in step with regional markets
China's EOC Pharma closes $32m Series B
EOC Pharma, a China-based cancer treatment specialist, has closed a $32 million Series B funding round led by Taikang Industry Development Fund.
Hong Kong's WeLab raises $220m
Alibaba Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have led a Series B+ round of funding for Hong Kong financial technology provider WeLab.
Aspirant to buy logistics unit from Japan's Takara
Japanese PE firm Aspirant Group has agreed to acquire Takara Chouun, a logistics subsidiary of the Takara Holdings conglomerate.
VCs join $25m round for Singapore's ShopBack
Singapore-based e-commerce aggregator ShopBack has raised a $25 million funding round from investors including East Ventures, SoftBank, and 33 Capital.
Everstone to buy India's Kenstar
The Everstone Group has agreed to buy Indian home appliance maker Kenstar from the Videocon Group.
Lakeshore buys Thailand skincare business
Lakeshore Capital has led the acquisition of a controlling stake in Aisance, a Thailand-based skincare company that specializes in distributing products from Korea, for $15.9 million.
CITIC Capital nears buyout of packaging player Axilone
China-focused GP CITIC Capital has entered into advanced negotiations with Oaktree Capital Management to buy Axilone, a Europe-headquartered packaging supplier to the cosmetics industry.
KKR, Gaja lead $151m round for India's Avendus
KKR and Gaja Capital have led a INR9.8 billion ($151 million) investment in Avendus Capital, an Indian financial services firm owned by KKR.
Sequoia leads Series B for Singapore's Smartkarma
Sequoia Capital India has led a Series B round for Smartkarma, bringing the Singapore-based financial technology company’s total funding to $21 million.
Sinovation leads $21m round for Chinese AI firm
Sinovation Ventures has led a $20.6 million Series B round for Zhuiyi Technology, a Shenzhen-based artificial intelligence (AI) start-up that specializes in chatbots.
UK fintech player gets $280m for Asia push
UK-based fintech company TransferWise has raised a $280 million round led by IVP and Old Mutual Global Investors as part of an expansion in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Japan's ADK faces lawsuit following Bain tender offer
Bain Capital Private Equity’s buyout offer for Japan-listed advertising agency Asatsu-DK (ADK) has prompted legal action by WPP Group, the company’s largest shareholder.
China genomics player Annoroad raises $105m Series C
Beijing-based genomics services provider Annoroad has completed a RMB700 million ($105 million) Series C round co-led by Shenzhen GTJA Investment Group and Ping An Ventures. SBCVC and SAIF Partners China also participated.
India's UFO, Qube to merge, ICICI to invest
UFO Moviez, an Indian digital broadcaster with several PE backers, will merge with domestic peer Qube Cinema Technologies, with support from ICICI Venture.
Polaris carves out beverage business from Asahi
Polaris Capital Group has agreed to acquire LB, a soft drink-focused division of Japanese beverage maker Asahi Group Holdings.
MBK makes tender offer for Japan's Kuroda Electric
MBK Partners has submitted a tender offer for Kuroda Electric – a Japanese electronic components manufacturer that has been under pressure from an activist shareholder – that values the company at approximately JPY102 billion ($895 million).
Alibaba leads $335m round for China's Souche
Alibaba Group has led a $335 million Series E round for Chinese online second-hand car trading platform operator Souche. It is the company’s third funding round in the past 12 months.
VC-backed MC Payment to list in Singapore via reverse merger
MC Payment, a Singapore-based financial technology player with several VC backers, will list on the Singapore Stock Exchange's Catalist board via a reverse takeover of domestic peer Artivision Technologies.
Chinese facial recognition player raises $460m
Megvii Technology, a Beijing-based facial recognition software developer, has raised a $460 million Series C round led by China State-owned Venture Capital Fund.
Standard Chartered Private Equity revives spin-out plan
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has relaunched an effort – which failed to get traction with the bank last year – to spin-out its team and the remaining $1 billion in PE assets on its balance sheet into an independent entity.