Investments
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.
Navis-owned Village Grocer makes Malaysia bolt-on
Village Grocer, a Malaysian premium grocery chain owned by Navis Capital Partners, has taken over domestic rival Bens Independent Grocer (BIG).
VCs back Filipino fintech start-up
Philippines-based financial technology company First Circle has received $2.5 million from a group of VC firms, including a seed stage investment unit of emerging markets microfinance group Accion International.
Indonesia investment: Venture rising
Venture capital has come to the fore in Indonesia, propelled forward by the attractions of a youthful population, rising disposable incomes and growth in smart phone adoption
SIG leads $22m round for China training platform
Susquehanna International Group’s SIG Asia Investments has led a $22 million Series B round of funding for Yunxuetang, a Chinese cloud-based vocational training platform that works with companies like China Mobile and Lenovo.
Lok leads $10m round for Indian diabetes clinic chain
Lok Capital has led a $10 million Series A round of funding for Indian diabetes care provider Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre.
CICC joins $108m round for China music streaming business
China International Capital Corp. (CICC) and two strategic investors have provided RMB750 million ($108 million) in funding for Chinese internet company NetEase's online music platform. The investment values NetEase Cloud Music at approximately RMB8 billion....