Investments
Smartphone maker Xiaomi secures $90m in VC funding
Chinese smartphone startup Xiaomi Technology has raised $90 million in funding, which values the company at $1 billion. Existing investors Morningside Technologies, Qiming Ventures and IDG Ventures participated in the financing round as well as new participants...
Yahoo studies part-exit from its Asian assets
Yahoo is considering the sale of a substantial chunk of its 40% interest in Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group as well as exiting its 35% holding in Yahoo Japan. The value of the transaction would reportedly be $17-18 billion, allowing the US internet...
TPG to take 20% stake in Shriram Transport Finance
TPG Capital will hold a 20% stake in Shriram Transport Finance once the Indian company merges with its unlisted parent and largest shareholder Shriram Holdings Madras. The US private equity firm currently owns 49% of Shriram Holdings and the merger with...
CVC, Johor win board backing for Malaysian fast-food buyout
A takeover offer from CVC Capital Partners and Malaysian state investment arm Johor Corp. for fast-food chains QSR Brands and KFC Holdings has won approval from the companies’ respective boards. The consortium must now put their bid before shareholders,...
MediaWorks is latest Oz debt-to-equity target
The phenomenon is known as “loan to own.” Investors buy up companies’ debt on the secondary market and negotiate with the boards to secure what are in effect controlling positions.
Saratoga bets on Indonesian energy
Overseas private equity funds often attribute Indonesia’s rising-star status in Asia to its explosive consumer growth story. Many domestic players, however, have gravitated toward resource plays, and energy in particular.
India Awards: PE Deal of the Year – Hero Honda Motors
India sees few big-ticket private equity deals outside the infrastructure space. Securing a stake in a leading player in the automotive sector is even rarer. Bain Capital is therefore all too aware that its investment in Hero Honda Motors in March isn’t...
India Awards: Private Equity Firm of the Year – Actis
Actis' exit from Paras Pharmaceuticals was not the most predictable of home runs. Strategic investors have slipped into the Indian healthcare sector over the last few years, principally targeting service providers whose business models can be replicated...
Qiming leads $10m Series A round for Appconomy
Qiming Ventures has led a $10 million Series A round of equity and debt funding in mobile application developer Appconomy. The funds will be used to accelerate the firm’s expansion in China.
IDG, Accel invest $50m in US hardware firm
Bangalore-based IDG Ventures and Silicon Valley’s Accel Partners have led a $50 million Series A round of funding for Razer, a US gaming hardware company.
Morgan Stanley to invest $125m in Indian real estate project - sources
Morgan Stanley’s global real estate fund is reportedly in negotiations with Mumbai’s Sheth Developers to invest $100 million to $125 million in a local residential project.
KKR-backed Tianrui raises $124m in Hong Kong IPO
China Tianrui Group Cement, a portfolio company of private equity giant KKR, has raised HK$966.2 million ($124 million) through an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Everstone buys stake in Delhi restaurant chain
Everstone Capital has agreed to buy a 45% stake in Pind Balluchi, a New Delhi-based restaurant chain, for about $20 million. The private equity firm will invest in JS Hospitality Services, which operates about 30 restaurants under the Pind Balluchi brand.
Arctic-backed Living & Leisure receives $244m takeover bid
Living & Leisure Australia Group (LLA), the tourist attractions operator part-owned by Arctic Capital, has received a A$244 million ($244 million) takeover bid from private equity-backed Merlin Entertainments.
CHAMP Ventures buys Australian specialist safety wear retailer
CHAMP Ventures has purchased a 79% stake in RSEA, Australia’s largest specialist safety retailer of hard hats, high-visibility wear and site signs. The remainder is held by company management, including 18% by Managing Director Brandon Chizik who will...
Another KEB backer looks to divest stake
The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) is looking to sell its 6.25% stake in Korea Exchange Bank, coming as embattled buyout fund Lone Star is set to offload its 51% majority stake in the company to Hana Financial Group.
CVC, hedge funds exchange barbs over Nine debt
Negotiations over CVC-owned Nine Entertainment’s debt burden have descended into a war of words between the company and its hedge fund creditors. CVC stands accused of playing a “precarious game” by insisting it is under no pressure to restructure...
Yahoo unhappy with bids for its US, Asia businesses
Yahoo is unhappy with the with the low premium being offered by private equity firms looking to invest in the company as well as the discounts proposed by prospective buyers of its Asian subsidiaries, which may stall any deal.
Coller Capital buys Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Secondaries investor Coller Capital has acquired fund manager Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) from France’s largest retail banking group, Crédit Agricole.
Indian PE deal values reach $7.7b in 2011
India private equity transactions experienced a 24% increase in value and volume this year, with 347 deals valued at a total of $7.7 billion reported during the period.
Alibaba seeks $4b loan to support Yahoo buyback
Alibaba Group has approached lenders about financing part of the company’s buyback of a 40% stake currently held by Yahoo. The Chinese e-commerce firm is seeking a $4 billion loan to support the purchase.
Tata, Aavishkaar subscribe to $6.9m Vortex round
Venture capital investors Tata Capital and Aavishkaar have participated in a INR370 million ($6.9 million) funding round for Indian ATM manufacturer Vortex Engineering.
CHAMP secures $130m debt for oOh!media deal
CHAMP Private Equity has reportedly secured a senior debt package worth A$130 million ($130 million) to support its take-private of Australian out-of-home advertising firm oOh!media.
NSR nears VRL investment
New Silk Route (NSR) is reportedly in discussion with Indian transport and logistics firm VRL Logistics for an INR1.5 billion ($26 million) investment.