Investments
Vision Fund leads $144m round for Singapore lending platform
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a USD 144m equity round for Singapore small business lending platform Funding Societies.
Silver Lake wins approval for New Zealand rugby deal
Silver Lake has won approval for a NZD 200m (USD 134m) investment in the commercial arm of New Zealand rugby, reflecting a recent upswing in global private equity involvement in sport in Asia.
New Zealand's Soul Machines raises $70m
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a USD 70m round for New Zealand-based Soul Machines, which specialises in creating lifelike digital employees for customer engagement.
SE Asia commerce finance platform Akulaku gets $100m
Akulaku, an Indonesia-based digital finance platform backed by the likes of Qiming Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital India, has received a USD 100m investment from Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
China truck smart devices manufacturer raises $200m
G7 Networks, a Chinese company that uses smart devices to track cargo trucks, has raised a USD 200m round led by Trustbridge Partners, and State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC). Several existing investors re-upped.
Blackstone buys majority stake in Indian wealth manager
The Blackstone Group has acquired a majority stake in Indian wealth manager Ask Investment Managers, taking out positions held by Advent International and other investors.
Vision Fund leads Series D for China's Sobot
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a USD 100m Series D round for Sobot, a China-based customer service software provider. Other investors include GL Ventures, Yunqi Partners, and Mirae Asset Financial Group.
US GP invests $30m in Australia's Protecht
US venture capital and private equity firm Arrowroot Capital has invested AUD 42m (USD 30m) in Australian enterprise risk management software and services provider Protecht Group.
Singapore's Next Gen Foods raises $100m Series A
Singapore-based Next Gen Foods, maker of vegetarian chicken brand Tindle, has raised a USD 100m Series A round featuring GGV Capital and Temasek Holdings’ Asia Sustainable Foods Platform.
Deal focus: Proterra's alternative take on incubation
Early-stage bets on oat milk and healthy beverages in Asia by Proterra Investment Partners reflect a willingness to back nascent brands, but in doing so, the firm believes it is dialling down the risk
Deal focus: Indonesia's fintech plumber
Brick is developing backend digital infrastructure so that financial technology start-ups in Southeast Asia can provide seamless services. Priorities include deepening functionality and geographic expansion
AVCJ Awards 2021: Deal of the Year – Small Cap: Ajaib
Having spent more than a year perfecting its product, Ajaib turned Indonesia’s brokerage industry on its head in six months. Emphasis on product and customer engagement have paid dividends
AVCJ Awards 2021: Firm of the Year – Large Cap: Baring Private Equity Asia
Baring Private Equity Asia claims that a thematic approach to origination and flexibility on deal structure allow it to pursue opportunities with greater conviction in a high-valuation environment
SoftBank leads Series A for China cashier-less vendor
SoftBank Ventures Asia (SBVA) has led a CNY 300m (USD 47m) Series A for Feng1, a China-based cashier-less vendor start-up. CICC Capital and Shenzhen Capital Group also participated.
Korea's Shinsegae raises another $251m for e-commerce platform
SSG.com, the e-commerce platform of South Korean retailer Shinsegae Group, raised an additional KRW 300bn (USD 251m) from existing backers Affinity Equity Partners and BRV Capital Management.
Blackstone agrees $6.3b buyout of Australian casino operator
Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has agreed to an acquisition by The Blackstone Group at an equity valuation of AUD 8.9bn (USD 6.34bn), ending a nearly one-year pursuit.
Longreach expands Japan coffee shop footprint
The Longreach Group has completed a third investment in Japan’s coffee shop space with the acquisition of Pokka Create Corporation, which operates more than 200 stores under the Café de Crie brand.
Philippines digital bank Tonik raises $131m
Mizuho Bank has led a USD 131m Series B round for Philippines digital bank Tonik with support from Sequoia Capital India and Prosus Ventures.
Legend leads $63m round for China's Hoteam Software
Legend Capital has led a CNY 400m (USD 63m) Series C round for Chinese industrial software supplier Hoteam Software
India logistics player Xpressbees raises $300m
The Blackstone Group, TPG Capital, and ChrysCapital Partners have participated in a USD 300m round for Xpressbees, an Indian logistics start-up established by the team behind mother-and-baby retailer FirstCry.
India B2B e-commerce player ElasticRun hits $1.5b valuation
Unicorn creation continues apace in India, with B2B e-commerce marketplace ElasticRun becoming the seventh company to achieve a USD 1bn since the start of the year, following the close of a USD 300m Series E round.
Korea autonomous driving tech supplier raises $20m
Morai, a Korean autonomous vehicle simulation technology supplier, has raised USD 20m in Series B funding from investors including Korea Investment Partners and Hyundai Motor Group.
India virtual events platform gets $35m Series B
Airmeet, a US-headquartered and Asia-focused virtual events platform with extensive operations in India, has raised USD 35m in Series B funding featuring Sequoia Capital India.
Proterra establishes Asian oat milk brand
Proterra Investment Partners, a private equity firm that targets natural resources like food and agriculture, has launched an oat milk brand for the Asian market.