Investments
Everstone, Mayfield, others part exit India's SLCM
Everstone Capital, Mayfield Advisors, Nexus Venture Partners and ICICI Bank have part exited their stakes in Indian agricultural logistics and financing firm Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM).
Chinese car-trading platform Mychebao gets $100m Series C
PAG Asia Capital has led a $100 million Series C round of funding for Mychebao.com, a Chinese online auction platform for second-hand cars.
SDIC Fund leads $40m Series B for Chinese drug developer
Suzhou Ribo Life Science, a Chinese drug developer that focuses on liver diseases, has raised a RMB270 million ($40 million) Series B round led by SDIC Fund Management.
Thailand's Bangkok Bank launches fintech accelerator
Bangkok Bank has launched a start-up accelerator to support financial technology development in Thailand. Hong Kong venture investor Nest will co-manage the program.
Chinese logistics robot developer Geek+ secures $14m
Chinese logistics and warehousing robotics developer Geek+ has raised a RMB100 million ($14 million) round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
500 Startups opens Australia office
US-based early-stage investor 500 Startups has agreed to establish its Australian headquarters in Melbourne after receiving financial support from the state government of Victoria.
China's Makeblock gets $30m Series B round
Evolution Media China (EMC) and Shenzhen Capital Group have led a $30 million Series B round for Shenzhen-based education and robotics start-up Makeblock.
Germany's Hubert Burda seeks Series B deals in SE Asia
The investment arm of Hubert Burda Media, a European technology and media company that has made LP commitments to several Southeast Asia-focused venture capital funds, has opened an office in Singapore.
Investors need boots on the ground to target China distress - AVCJ Forum
The credit and distress investment opportunity is significant – and expected to grow – but an on-the-ground presence is seen as essential to accessing it, industry participants told the AVCJ China Forum.
Chow Tai Fook to buy Australia's Alinta from TPG
Hong Kong's Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) has agreed to buy Australian power utility Alinta Energy, providing an exit for TPG Capital.
Actis part exits India's IDFC for $17m
Actis Capital has exited most of its stake in Indian infrastructure finance lender Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) for INR1.1 billion ($16.9 million).
China buyouts depend on industry, company expertise - AVCJ Forum
Chinese GPs are shifting to buyout strategies with a view to having more influence and operational input in portfolio companies, but they should have clear plans on post-deal integration when making these investments.
Deal focus: PayPal backs Korean counterpart Viva Republica
Viva Republica has confirmed its preeminence in Korea's peer-to-peer payments space with rival provider PayPal joining existing investors in the company's $48 million Series C round
TA buys stake in India's Ideal Cures
TA Associates has invested in Indian pharmaceutical product supplier Ideal Cures. Neither the size of the commitment nor the size of the GP's stake in the company were disclosed.
ADB to invest $10m in India's Satin Creditcare
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invest up to INR667 million ($10.1 million) in Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Satin Creditcare Network.
Euronet challenges Alibaba's acquisition of PE-backed MoneyGram
US payment services company Euronet Worldwide has extended a buyout offer worth about $2 billion for NASDAQ-listed MoneyGram, contesting a bid made earlier this year by Alibaba Group’s PE-backed affiliate Ant Financial. The pending sale will provide an...
Japan's INCJ takes control of $87m pharma spin-out
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has teamed up with two pharmaceutical players to invest JPY10 billion ($87 million) in the creation of a biotech spin-out. INCJ will hold a 70.5% stake in the company.
VC value-add: Personal touch
Chinese VC firms are expected to offer value-added services as a way of differentiating themselves from the competition. Are formalized concierge services for founders and their families a step too far?
Australia launches incubator in Singapore
The Australian government has launched a start-up incubation program in Singapore that will focus on emerging industries, including services, and support new export market opportunities.
Institutional investors and private equity: Cracks in the ice?
Competition is intense at the upper end of the global buyout space, with abundant dry powder and readily available debt pushing up valuations. LPs are keen to allocate to the asset class, but will they end up disappointed?
CMC, Sequoia launch sport fund, back China kickboxing business
CMC Holdings – a unit of media-focused GP CMC Capital Partners – and Sequoia Capital China have formed a sports investment fund and led a Series A round of funding for Wanmingyang Media, which organizes and video streams kickboxing events in China.
Ally Bridge backs $301m Luoxin Pharma take-private
Healthcare-focused PE investor Ally Bridge Group will support the HK$2.3 billion ($301 million) management-led take-private of Hong Kong-listed Shandong Luoxin Pharmacy Group.
Platinum to buy Staples' Australia, New Zealand business
US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity has agreed to buy the Australia and New Zealand businesses of business products supplier Staples.
CPPIB, CDPQ form Southeast Asia logistics partnership
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has teamed up with Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Australia-headquartered property company Logos to develop logistics projects in Singapore and Indonesia.