Investments
India's Myntra to buy Rocket-backed Jabong
Myntra, the Indian fashion retailer backed by e-commerce giant Flipkart, has agreed to buy its main rival Jabong from Rocket Internet's Global Fashion Group (GFG).
Temasek leads $105m round for Sprinklr
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has led a $105 million Series F round of funding in Sprinklr, a US-based social media company targeting growth in Asia Pacific.
India's Quikr buys VC-backed Hiree
Indian classifieds site Quikr has acquired Hiree, an online hiring platform focused on white collar jobs and backed by IDG Ventures.
Australia's Brandon Capital expands into New Zealand
Australian life sciences-focused VC firm Brandon Capital has expanded the mandate of its third Medical Research Commercialization Fund (MRCF) to include New Zealand.
China big data start-up gets $30m Series C
Yonghong Tech, a Chinese big data analytics software provider, has raised RMB200 million ($30 million) in Series C funding from Tencent Holdings’ VC unit, Yuansheng Capital, Oriental Fortune Capital, and Matrix Partners.
Siam Commercial Bank unveils fintech strategy
Thailand's Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has formally announced a financial technology investment strategy aimed at improving customer experience while encouraging domestic start-ups to keep up with changes in the global market.
Bertelsmann leads $17m Series B for India's Treebo
Bertelsmann India Investments has led a INR1.12 billion ($17 million) Series B round of funding for Indian budget hotel chain Treebo.
Rocket, Kinnevik commit $33m to fashion portal
Rocket Internet and Sweden's AB Kinnevik have committed another EUR30 million ($33 million) to emerging markets-focused online fashion portal Global Fashion Group (GFG).
IFC to invest $15m in India-based Byju's
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a $15 million investment in Indian education start-up Byju’s.
L Capital Asia takes minority stake in Korea cosmetics player
L Capital Asia – the private equity arm of luxury goods giant LVMH – has acquired a minority stake in Clio Cosmetics, a South Korea-based color cosmetics manufacturer, for an undisclosed sum.
China VCs back $25m round for Austrian entertainment group
China Growth Capital has led a $10 million Series B-plus round of funding for Austria-based media company Juzi Entertainment. It brings the Series B to $25 million overall.
Hong Kong's Quantifeed gets $4.5m Series A round
China’s PGA Venture Partners has led a $4.5 million Series A round of funding for Hong Kong-based financial services software provider Quantifeed.
SBI leads $17.5m investment in Thailand's Omise
Japan’s SBI Investment has led a $17.5 million Series B funding round for Thailand-based online payment services provider Omise.
CDC to invest $149m in India Infoline Finance
CDC Group, the UK government-owned development finance institution (DFI), has agreed to invest INR10 billion ($149 million) in IIFL Holdings’ non-banking finance company (NBFC) India Infoline Finance.
KKR's Kravis sees Asia promise amid global macro volatility
Henry Kravis, co-founder of KKR, emphasized the importance of Asia’s rising middle class and the diversification of his firm’s investment approach as continued volatility globally is likely to deliver both uncertainty and opportunity.
New Zealand's Oceania Natural gets $2.5m for HK base
New Zealand-listed health food and supplements producer Oceania Natural has secured HK$19.5 ($2.5 million) from a group of domestic and Chinese investors for the establishment of a Hong Kong subsidiary.
Diamedica gets $4m for China push
Hermed Capital Healthcare Fund, a PE vehicle managed by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group and Korea’s SK Group, has committed $4 million to a China expansion drive by US-based Diamedica.
TPG buys control of India maternity hospital operator
TPG Capital’s growth investment arm has paid $33 million for a significant majority stake in Rhea Healthcare, which operates a network of mother and child care centers in India under the Motherhood brand.
500 Startups raises $8.3m for enlarged Thai fund
US-based 500 Startups has received $8.3 million in LP commitments for its Thailand-focused early-stage fund 500 TukTuks after expanding its targeted scope on the back of increased investor interest.
Protean Electric gets $70m round led by GSR, targets China expansion
GSR Ventures has participated in a $70 million financing round for Protean Electric, a US automobile equipment developer with an expanding operations base in China.
IFC to support Unitus-backed emerging markets accelerator
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to support an accelerator fund launched by Capria Ventures – an impact investment firm sponsored by Unitus – that will focus on South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Chinese consortium agrees scaled back Opera deal
A PE-backed Chinese consortium has agreed a $600 million acquisition of the web browser business of Norway’s Opera Software after a full takeover bid worth $1.2 billion failed to attain government approval.
IIFL leads $30m round for India's BlueStone
IIFL Asset Management has led a INR2 billion ($30 million) Series D round for online jeweler BlueStone.
Southeast Asia's aCommerce raises further $10m
Southeast Asia-focused e-commerce solutions provider aCommerce has raised $10 million in new funding ahead of a planned Series B round. The latest commitment is led by MDI Ventures, a corporate VC fund run by Indonesian mobile operator Telkom.