Investments
Asia credit: Shift in the cycle
Private debt investors in Asia are mindful of mounting global risks, but they also see opportunities emerging within the region across the capital structure
China digital CRO Elixir raises $52m
Elixir, a China-based clinical research organisation (CRO), has raised a USD 52m Series A round from Lyfe Capital, Chow Tai Fook Investment, and Sinovation Ventures.
Venturi leads $55m Series C for Singapore's Believe
Venturi Partners, a consumer-focused investment firm established by a former Verlinvest executive in Asia, has led a USD 55m Series C round for Believe, a Singapore-based consumer products company aimed at Muslim consumers.
MSPEA buys control of Singapore-listed APAC Realty
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) as agreed to buy Northstar Group’s majority stake in APAC Realty, a Singapore-listed real estate services company in Asia, for SGD 129.5m (USD 94.2m).
Hong Kong e-commerce financier secures $250m in debt funding
Hong Kong-based FundPark, a VC-backed liquidity provider for e-commerce merchants, has received an asset-backed securitisation (ABS) facility of up to USD 250m from Goldman Sachs.
Dream Capital leads $120m Series A for India cricket NFT platform
Dream Capital, the corporate venture capital arm of India fantasy sports platform operator Dream Sports, has led a USD 120m Series A for Rario, a specialist in cricket-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Japan's Hitachi mulls divestment of logistics unit
Hitachi has confirmed it may divest its logistics unit, Hitachi Transport System, following a report that KKR was poised to buy the asset for more than JPY 600bn (USD 4.69bn).
China virotherapy specialist Binhui Biopharm raises $47m
Binhui Biopharm, a Chinese biotech firm specialising in oncolytic virus immune-oncology, has raised CNY 300m (USD 47m) in an extended Series B round led by Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group.
China automation specialist Laiye raises $70m
Laiye Technology, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up specialising in robotic process automation (RPA), has raised another extension - of USD 70m - to its Series C round. Hopu Investment took the lead.
Nuveen leads $50m round for India MSME lender Kinara
Kinara Capital, an Indian non-banking financing company (NBFC) that lends to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) has received USD 50m in funding led by Nuveen, the impact unit of Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America (TIAA).
Goldman leads Series C for Japan's Rapyuta Robotics
Goldman Sachs has led a USD 51m Series C round for Rapyuta Robotics, a Japan-based developer of collaborative pick-assist robots commonly used in warehouses.
KKR pursues $15b Australia healthcare take-private
A KKR-led consortium has proposed to acquire Ramsay Health Care, an Australia-listed hospital operator with a footprint that encompasses Australia, Europe, and other parts of Asia, at a valuation of approximately AUD 20.1bn (USD 14.9bn).
Singapore's Coda Payments raises $690m
Singapore-based Coda Payments, a financial technology start-up that helps digital content providers accept payments, has raised USD 690m from Smash Capital, Insight Partners and GIC.
Swiggy leads $180m Series D for India's Rapido
Indian motorcycle taxi platform Rapido has raised USD 180m in Series D funding led by local on-demand delivery platform Swiggy.
China stem cell drug developer Baylx raises $47m
Baylx, a Beijing-based drug developer that utilises stem cell technology, has raised CNY 300m （USD 47m）across two rounds - a Series B and a Series B extension.
Lighthouse leads $65m round for India's Medikabazaar
Lighthouse Funds has led a USD 65m funding round for Medikabazaar, an India-based B2B medical supplies marketplace, at a valuation of USD 700m.
KV Asia buys Malaysia industrial glove manufacturer
KV Asia Capital has acquired a majority stake in G.B. Industries (GBI), a Malaysia-based manufacturer of rubber insulating gloves and sleeves, for an undisclosed sum.
Bain launches tender offer for Japan marketing business
Bain Capital has launched a tender offer for Japan-based television and direct marketing business Tri-Stage that values the company at approximately JPY 17.2bn (USD 137.3m).
China consumer: Brand power vs traffic might
Private equity investment in China’s consumer sector has fluctuated over the past 18 months in line with the fortunes of portfolio companies. Applying TMT logic to brand building didn’t help
China game engine developer Cocos raises $50m
Cocos Technology, a China-based game engine developer, has raised USD 50m in Series B round from CCB Trust, GGV Capital, and voice and video communication platform Agora.
1Q analysis: Monetising managers
Baring Asia and PAG underline the value of their management entities; exits slump amid uncertainty; BGH Capital, renminbi GPs shore up fundraising; investment fails to extend the late 2021 flourish
Deal focus: Wholesum brings agglomeration to Korea
Drawing inspiration from US-based Thrasio and from his own background in special situations investing, Andrew Joo wants to turn Wholesum into a Korean multi-brand powerhouse
Portfolio: Affinity Equity Partners and ServeOne
Affinity Equity Partners is redefining the B2B outsourcing industry by helping Korea’s ServeOne, escape the gravity of its chaebol parent to access new markets and business lines
China metaverse infrastructure start-up raises $130m
Chinese metaverse start-up Xmov has raised USD 130m in Series B and Series C funding featuring SoftBank Vision Fund, Sequoia Capital China, Northern Light Capital, and Index Ventures.