Investments
Hahn & Co moves towards control of Korea's Ssangyong Cement
Korean GP Hahn & Company will assume majority control of Ssangyong Cement with the acquisition of a stake held by Japan-listed Taiheiyo Cement for KRW454.8 billion ($394 million).
Brand Capital invests $22m in India's Meru
Brand Capital has invested INR1.5 billion ($22.2 million) in Indian app-based taxi service provider Meru Cab.
China consumer data analysis business gets $20m Series A
GrowingIO, a Chinese data analysis company founded by executives from LinkedIn’s business analytics division, has raised a $20 million Series A round from Matrix Partners China, NEA and Greylock Partners.
MSPEA backs India NBFC Five Star
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has invested INR1.14 billion ($16.9 million) in Five Star Business Finance, an India-based non-banking finance company (NBFC) that specializes in small ticket business and housing loans.
Japan succession: The long goodbye
As Masayoshi Son's recent about-turn on giving up the leadership of SoftBank suggests, Japanese founders of a certain age can be even less willing to consider succession than their younger peers
Deal focus: IDG backs Circle's payments play
Circle is ready to test its blockchain-based online peer-to-peer payments platform in China, with support from a string of local financial and strategic investors
Secondaries: Waiting for the shoe to drop
Asian secondaries players are counting on an explosion in demand for alternative liquidity solutions over the next few years, but cutting deals in this niche market requires a nimble approach
China Mobile fund leads $100m round for job site Liepin
A fund launched by China Mobile in partnership with the State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC) has led a $100 million Series D round of funding for online recruitment services provider Liepin.com.
OneVentures backs Australia's Employment Hero
OneVentures has led a A$3 million ($2.2 million) Series A round of funding for Australian online human resources services start-up Employment Hero.
Bertelsmann leads $32m round for India's Lendingkart
Bertelsmann India Investments has led a $32 million Series B round for Indian finance platform Lendingkart.
Altius to be sold to Canada's Pavilion Financial
Canadian investment services firm Pavilion Financial has agreed to acquire Altius Associates, a PE advisor and fund manager with a presence across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.
Indonesia VC: Work in progress
As Indonesia’s start-up space matures, with ever more capital pouring in, VC players recognize that exits are the key to creating a sustainable investment environment. However, it is still early days
Deal focus: Asia-IO embraces machine learning
Asia-IO Advisors' strategic co-investment with Foxconn Technology Group has led to the creation of a systems integration specialist that will help manufactures embrace 'industry 4.0'
Ascendent supports buyout of HK-listed China Automation
Ascendent Capital Partners has teamed up with the chairman and founder of China Automation Group to invest HK$549.5 million ($70.8 million) in the Hong Kong-listed company, triggering a mandatory buyout offer.
Wavemaker takes over Ardent's SE Asia venture portfolio
US venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners has taken over the venture portfolio of Thailand-based Ardent Capital.
China Everbright's mezzanine fund backs Neusoft Medical
China Everbright has invested an undisclosed amount in Chinese healthcare conglomerate Neusoft Holdings through its renminbi-denominated mezzanine fund.
Cartesian Capital backs Australia's White Rock Minerals
US-based private equity firm Cartesian Capital has committed $20 million in project development financing to Australian mining company White Rock Minerals.
Korea's Dongbu agrees $174m sale to Keystone
Keystone Private Equity has agreed to acquire distressed Korean construction company Dongbu Corporation for KRW206 billion ($174 million).
China Ming Yang Wind completes PE-backed take-private
Wind turbine manufacturer China Ming Yang Wind Power Group has delisted from the New York Stock Exchange following a take-private involving the company founder and several local private equity investors.
Baring-owned Vistra acquires Indian professional services group
Vistra, a Hong Kong-based corporate services provider owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, has acquired Indian professional services group Ujwal Management Services.
Waterbridge in first close on early-stage India fund - report
Waterbridge Ventures, an India-based VC firm founded by angel investor Manish Kheterpal, has reached a first close of $5 million on its fund targeting early and seed-stage investments.
China's Qunar receives take-private bid
Chinese private equity firm Ocean Management has made a take-private offer for domestic travel site Qunar that values the US-listed company at about $4.4 billion.
IDG leads $60m round for US fintech start-up's China push
IDG Capital Partners has led a $60 million financing round for Circle, a US-based financial technology start-up seeking to build a blockchain-supported peer-to-peer payments system business in China.
SAIF commits $3.5m to India's FarEye
Indian logistics management software developer FarEye has raised a $3.5 million Series A round from SAIF Partners.