Investments
IMM to buy Korean fashion e-commerce business
IMM Private Equity has agreed to buy a majority stake in W Concept Korea, an own-brand online clothing retailer owned by ISE Commerce, a multi-strategy Korean e-commerce business.
Deal focus: All-Stars backs Tujia’s consolidation agenda
Tujia's access to property supply and consumer traffic channels in China give an edge that other market entrants struggle to replicate. This gave All-Stars Investment the confidence to co-lead a $300 million round
Portfolio: J-Star and Japan Hospice Holdings
In 2014 J-Star bet on a pair of pioneering companies in Japan’s hospice care market. Now the resulting platform is set to dominate the still-nascent industry with high standards for care and patient dignity
Hony backs Italian fashion brand Mr & Mrs Italy
China-focused GP Hony Capital has agreed to acquire a 30% interest in Duemmei, owner of Italian fashion brand Mr & Mrs Italy.
Southeast Asia VC: Growth impediment?
Southeast Asia has an abundance of local players targeting early-stage deals while foreign investors fly in to participate in the later stage rounds. The industry is looking for ways to fill the hole in the middle
Cathay, GGV back China’s Momenta
Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity, has led an extended Series B round for Momenta, a Chinese start-up that develops road sensors and mapping software for self-driving cars, with participation from GGV Capital.
Affinity to buy Burger King Japan
Affinity Equity Partners, which already owns Burger King in South Korea, has assumed control of the fast food chain’s master franchise for Japan.
Square Peg leads $13m round for Singapore's Chope
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has led a S$18 million ($13.3 million) funding round for Singapore-based restaurant app operator Chope.
ADK management offers support to Bain buyout bid
Japan-based advertising agency Asatsu-DK (ADK) has expressed its support for Bain Capital Private Equity’s proposed JPY151 billion ($1.3 billion) buyout, against opposition from its largest shareholder, WPP Group.
Amicus invests $9.3m in India's RenewBuy
Amicus Capital Partners has made its maiden investment, committing INR600 million ($9.3 million) to Indian online insurance aggregator RenewBuy.
Hillhouse leads $46m round for China O2O fitness platform
Lefit, a China-based online-to-offline (O2O) fitness platform, has raised a RMB300 million ($46 million) Series C round of funding led by Hillhouse Capital.
PE must 'play to win' in Japan carve-outs - Bain & Co
Japan private equity investment is on course for a record year on the back of increased divestment activity, but GPs must fine-tune their strategies to prevail in a highly competitive auction processes, according to Bain & Company.
True North, IDG in $77m round for India's Policybazaar
Indian online financial services portal Policybazaar has raised INR5 billion ($77 million) from a group of investors led by True North, IDG Venture Partners, and US-based Wellington Management.
Gaja leads $15m round for India's Kinara
Gaja Capital Partners has led a INR960 million ($14.8 million) funding round for Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) Kinara Capital.
Blue Ocean Capital exits China Cord Blood
China-focused PE firm Blue Ocean Capital has exited US-listed China Cord Blood Corporation (CCBC), by selling its beneficial interest in the blood bank operator to a fund sponsored by Chinese conglomerate Sanpower Group.
Hong Kong AI fintech start-up MioTech gets $7m Series A
Horizons Ventures, a private investment arm of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has led a $7 million Series A round of funding for MioTech, a Hong Kong-based start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) software for the financial services sector.
TPG exits Myanmar Distillery
TPG Capital has sold its stake in Myanmar Distillery Company (MDC), the producer of Grand Royal Whisky, as a Thailand-based strategic acquired a majority interest in the business.
Ola confirms Tencent investment, targets $2b round
China's Tencent Holdings has led a $1.1 billion investment in Indian ride-hailing app developer Ola. The company is in talks with other investors to raise a further $1 billion as an extension of this funding round.
Tech M&A: Tactical forays
A new generation of Chinese technology companies – conscious of the need to stay competitive – are becoming more active M&A players as they choose to buy rather than build their way into multiple verticals
China-Australia: Communication breakdown
A couple of high-profile rejections of Chinese deals overshadow the fact that most foreign investments in the country receive approval. Prospective buyers are advised to engage with interested parties from the outset
Temasek co-leads $78.2m round for China’s Tongdun
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has jointly led a $78.2 million Series C round for Tongdun Technology, a China-based third-party risk control services provider, in conjunction with Cinda Sinorock and Tiantu Capital.
KKR sweetens tender offer for Japan's Hitachi Kokusai
KKR has improved its tender offer for Japanese high-tech manufacturer Hitachi Kokusai Electric after the process, which was announced in April, stalled due to share price volatility.
Goldman backs South Korean bakery ingredients maker
Goldman Sachs has invested KRW34 billion ($29.9 million) in Korean specialty food ingredients manufacturer Sun-in.
China electronics recycling platform raises $46m
Huishoubao, a Chinese online recycling platform for electronic devices, has raised a RMB300 million ($46 million) Series B round led by Asia-focused private equity firm Strait Capital Investment Group.