Investments
MPM Capital forms VC fund with Japan's Astellas Pharma
MPM Capital, a US venture firm focused on early-stage life science companies, has launched a new investment vehicle in partnership with Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma.
The Chatterjee Group buys Mitsubishi India unit for $48m
US-based private equity firm The Chatterjee Group has agreed to pay about $48 million for a 90% stake in an Indian unit of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC).
Japan Industrial Partners buys Narumiya from SBI
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) has acquired children’s clothing retailer Narumiya International from SBI Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
WiL leads $10.6m round for Japan's Retty
World Innovation Lab (WiL) has led a JPY1.1 billion ($10.6 million) investment in Japanese social media-oriented restaurant guide operator Retty.
Deal Focus: L Capital taps Korea’s cultural clout
Clio Cosmetics hopes to leverage Korea's entertainment appeal throughout Asia
US-based Wonder Workshop raises $20m for China push
Wonder Workshop, the children's robotics manufacturer that recently agreed a distribution partnership with Chinese online retailer JD.com, has raised a $20 million Series B round to support further expansion in China.
Malaysia's Ekuinas invests $16.9m in domestic sports retailer
Ekuinas, a private equity firm backed by the Malaysian government, has acquired a 35% interest in Al-Ikhsan Sports, the country’s leading sportswear retailer, for MYR68.6 million ($16.9 million).
Japan analytics platform Abeja gets $5m
Japanese corporate analytics platform Abeja has raised a JPY530 million ($5 million) Series B round from Innovation Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Archetype Ventures.
INCJ leads $16m investment in Japan's Atonarp
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a $16 million funding round for Tokyo-based chemical sensor developer Atonarp.
Deal Focus: IvyCap sees upside in India's online jewels
Bluestone's work to reshape India's jewelry industry and change customers' attitudes appeals to the domestic VC firm
IDG-backed Chinese group agrees buyout from Germany's Osram
IDG Capital partners has led a consortium to buy Ledvance, the lamps business of German lighting manufacturer Osram, for more than EUR400 million ($440 million).
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.