Investments
IMM commits $266m to Korean shipbuilder
IMM Investment has agreed to invest KRW300 billion ($266 million) in Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI).
China, US-based Sensoro raises $18m Series B
Sensoro, an internet-of-things (IoT) technology supplier based in the US and China, has received an $18 million Series B funding round from Tsing Capital, Sumitomo Corporation and Bosch.
Ant Financial invests in VC-backed bike-sharing service Ofo
Ofo, a Chinese bike-sharing company that completed its $450 million Series D round of funding less than two months ago, has received a strategic investment of undisclosed size from Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s financial services affiliate.
IMM launches tender offer for Korean cosmetics player
A consortium led by IMM Investment has agreed to pay KRW188.2 billion ($166 million) for a 25.54% stake in Korean cosmetics manufacturer Able C&C and launched a tender offer to secure control of the business.
DeClout launches incubator in Singapore
DeClout, a holding company focused on developing IT and cloud computing technology providers, has launched a start-up incubator via its venture capital arm in Singapore.
AGIC acquires European medical supplier, targets China growth
AGIC Capital has acquired 100% of Slovenia-based medical equipment supplier Fotona as part of a plan to expand operations in Asia with an emphasis on China. The deal will facilitate an exit for US private equity firm The Gores Group.
Samara acquires India's Sanjay Maintenance
Samara Capital Partners has acquired Indian facilities management company Sanjay Maintenance Services (SMS) for about $20 million.
China AI specialist Sense Time gets $60m from Sailing
Sailing Capital has provided $60 million in Series C funding to artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technology start-up Sense Time, less than six months after the Beijing-based company announced its previous round.
VCs commit $65m to China vaccine developer CanSino Biologics
SDIC Fund Management, a GP under China’s State Development & Investment Corporation, has led a $65 million round of funding for CanSino Biologics, a China-based vaccine developer.
VIG buys Korean used car retailer for $97m
VIG Partners has agreed to acquire 100% of South Korea-based used car retailer and maintenance provider Autoplus for KRW110 billion ($97 million). The plan is to build the business into a local equivalent of CarMax, which is the leading player in the...
Antony Leung's New Frontier backs Shenzhen medical group
New Frontier, a private equity firm co-founded by Antony Leung (pictured), formerly Hong Kong's financial secretary, has invested in Best Unimed Medical Group, a Shenzhen-based third-party physicians group.
IFC proposes $100m investment in China insurance firm
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering an equity investment of up to RMB690 million ($100 million) in Chinese insurance firm Union Life Insurance.
VCs join $400m round for China, US-based EV player
CITIC Securities has led a $400 million funding round - with participation from CDH Investments and National Venture Capital - for China and US-based electric vehicle (EV) supplier Microvast Power Systems.
TCV invests $20m in New Zealand's Xero, Martix part exits
US venture capital firm Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV) has invested NZ$28.5 million ($20 million) in New Zealand-listed accounting software company Xero. It will facilitate a partial exit for existing backer Matrix Capital.
Addor Capital leads $12m round for China’s Yeecall
Addor Capital has led a $12 million pre-Series B round for Yeecall, a Chinese mobile app that allows users to make free voice and video calls, with participation from existing investors including Sinovation Ventures.
Haiyin Capital, NCET2 form Sino-US VC fund
China's Haiyin Capital and the US-based National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) have jointly launched a VC fund to provide capital to start-ups formed at American universities.
KWAP joins investor roster for SE Asia telecom spin-out
Malaysia’s public sector pension fund, KWAP, has joined Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Khazanah Nasional in backing the spin-out of an infrastructure unit of Southeast Asian telecom company Axiata.
Platinum to buy OfficeMax business in Australia, New Zealand
US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity has agreed to buy business products supplier OfficeMax’s Australia and New Zealand businesses from its owner, US-based Office Depot.
PE consortium ups bid for Australia's Tatts
A consortium comprising Morgan Stanley Infrastructure, KKR, First State Super and Macquarie has increased its buyout offer for Australian lottery operator Tatts Group. It now values the company at A$7.6 billion ($5.7 billion).
Ex-KPCB China executive Wei Zhou launches new VC firm
Wei Zhou (pictured), formerly a managing partner at KPCB China, has launched a new VC firm – China Creation Ventures – and closed his debut renminbi-denominated fund at RMB1.5 billion ($220 million).
Hony’s Best Food backs Vietnamese restaurant chain
Best Food Holding, a Hong Kong-listed food and beverage platform established by Hony Capital, has invested an undisclosed sum in Shenzhen Yuepin, a restaurant chain specializing in Vietnamese cuisine.
CMC forms partnership with Hollywood talent agency CAA
China media-focused private equity firm CMC Capital Partners has acquired a minority stake in Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for an undisclosed sum.
Bain to invest in Korean botox manufacturer - update
Bain Capital Private Equity has agreed to buy a controlling stake in Hugel, a South Korean manufacturer of botox and other health-related pharmaceuticals, for approximately KRW927.4 billion ($830 million).
India's Ola raises $250m down round
Indian ride-hailing app operator Ola has raised INR16.75 billion ($259 million) in funding at a pre-money valuation of approximately $3 billion – compared to $5 billion for the company’s previous round in 2015.