Investments
Sequoia leads $55m round for India, US-based Freshdesk
Sequoia Capital has led a $55 million Series F round of funding for India and US-based customer support platform provider Freshdesk.
Blockchain: Ethereal frontiers
As blockchain segments mature in Asia, private equity and venture capital investors will benefit from a range of new entry points. Pitfalls related to the technology’s obscure nature, however, will persist
China short-term rental site Xiaozhu raises $65m
Chinese short-term rental site Xiaozhu.com has collected a total of $65 million across two tranches from a group of China-focused VC investors.
IDG, Promethus invest $30m in China's KR Space
IDG Capital Partners and Prometheus Capital have invested RMB200 million ($30 million) in an extended Series A round of funding for KR Space, a provider of collaborative workspaces for Chinese start-ups
PE-backed Yum China gains on US debut after spin-out
Yum China, the private equity-backed group that operates KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in the country, gained 8% on its US trading debut after completing its separation from parent Yum Brands.
Advent buys China mattress maker from CITIC Capital
Advent International has acquired a majority stake in Chinese mattress maker King Koil Shanghai Sleep System from CITIC Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum.
J-Star owned insurer makes bolt-on acquisition
J-Star will take control of Japanese insurance provider Hunel FEA through a bolt-on acquisition by existing portfolio company Nihon Hoken Service.
J-Star acquires Japan's Asiro
J-Star has acquired Japan’s Asiro, an online marketing platform provider for lawyers, for an undisclosed sum.
Jungle leads $11m Series A for Thailand's Pomelo
Jungle Ventures has led an $11 million Series A round of funding for Thailand-based online fashion retailer Pomelo.
China smart home device maker Orvibo raises $16m
Orvibo, a Shenzhen-based smart home device maker, has secured a RMB110 million ($16 million) Series B round of funding led by A-share listed electronics manufacturer Topband.
India's Ather Energy raises $31m for electric motorcycles
Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp will invest about INR2 billion ($31 million) in domestic VC-backed electric vehicle (EV) start-up Ather Energy.
Corporate carve-outs: Who's selling?
Certain markets in Asia represent a target-rich environment for corporate carve-outs, but private equity firms must be patient in waiting for deals to emerge
Sequoia leads $6m round for India's KredX
Sequoia Capital India has led a $6.3 million Series A round for Indian online financing marketplace KredX.
Partners For Growth commits $15m to Yello Mobile's marketing unit
Yello Digital Marketing (YDM), the digital marketing unit of South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, has received $15 million in funding from Partners For Growth (PFG), the PE arm of SVB Financial Group.
BlueRun closes $500m China early-stage VC fund
BlueRun Ventures has closed its latest China-focused fund - comprising US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches - with more than $500 million in aggregate commitments.
Actis renewables platform to buy India solar asset
Ostro Energy, an Indian renewable energy platform backed by Actis Capital, has agreed to buy a solar power project owned by Suzlon Energy.
China credit card management app U51 raises a further $84m
U51.com, a Chinese credit card management mobile app, has secured $84 million in an extended Series C round from Chinese asset manager Harvest Global Investments and department store operator Intime Retail Group.
Simmons invests in Malaysia's Leap Energy
Simmons Private Equity (SPE), an energy-focused investor based in the US, has acquired Malaysian oil company Leap Energy as part of a plan to establish a global upstream consulting group.
Deal focus: Eywa brings experienced edge to generics
Eight Roads Ventures India sees considerable strengths in Eywa to tackle the lucrative US generic pharmaceuticals market
Deal focus: CDPQ takes logistics leap with TVS
CDPQ's recently opened India office sees TVS Logistics as both a uniquely healthy company and a chance for an entry into a promising sector in India
Deal focus: IFM swoops on Australian energy assets
With recent bids by Chinese investors for Australian power network Ausgrid blocked by regulators, IFM saw an opportunity to salvage the deal for itself
Multiples invests $110m in India's Arvind
Multiples Alternative Asset Management has agreed to invest INR7.4 billion ($110 million) in Arvind Fashions, the branded apparel distribution arm of listed Indian textile manufacturer Arvind.
IDG, Walden lead $65m round for US-China AI start-up
IDG Capital Partners and Walden International have led a $65 million Series B funding round for US and China-based artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company Rokid.
Northstar submits $238m offer for Singapore-listed Innovalues
Northstar Group has offered to buy Singapore-listed Innovalues, a components manufacturer for the automotive and industrials sectors, in a deal that values the business at approximately S$331.4 million ($238 million).