Funds
Tech IPOs: An issue of control
Alibaba Group wants the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to permit a bespoke IPO structure that would allow management to retain board control. By refusing, is the bourse going to forgo more China tech business?
ICG adds Nyree Hu to Asia team
Specialist asset manager Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has hired Nyree Hu as Asia director with its 11-strong global distribution team.
KPCB, IPV back Singapore stock market app Series A round
Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers (KPCB) and IPV Capital have together led a $10 million Series A round for MyHero, the Singapore-based start-up behind the stock market simulation app TradeHero.
WL Ross settles with SEBI over SpiceJet case
WL Ross has paid INR11 million ($177,000) in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), ending a long-running case over its investment in low-cost Indian airline SpiceJet.
Alibaba acquires VC-backed cloud computing Kanbox
Alibaba Group has agreed to buy Kanbox, a Chinese cloud storage service provider backed by Susquehanna Asia Investment and DCM. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
Japan's Lixil acquires TPG-backed faucet maker Grohe
Lixil Group, a Japanese toilet manufacturer, has agreed to acquire Grohe, a German maker of faucets backed by TPG Capital and the private equity arm of Credit Suisse (formerly CSFB Private Equity), for JPY400 billion ($4 billion).
Japan's KDDI, Cisco lead $10m Series A for Moxtra
Japanese telecom firm KDDI Corp and US tech giant Cisco Systems have led a $10 million Series A round of investment for Silicon Valley-based app developer Moxtra. Other investors include China's Innovation Works and Starwood Capital's Barry Sternlicht.
Horizons Ventures backs Zoom Video Series B round
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s Horizons Ventures, which is known for investments in Facebook and Skype, has led a $6.5 million Series B funding round for Zoom Video Communication, a California-based cloud conferencing operator.
Australia’s Ironbridge alters LP secondary exit proposal
Ironbridge Capital’s LPs will not be obliged to commit capital to a new fund as a condition of participation in a vehicle set up by the Australian GP to absorb assets held by its first two funds. AVCJ understands that the proposal has been amended so...
Malaysia launches $100m clean tech fund
Malaysia has teamed up with Japan-based Asian Energy Investments to form a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in clean technology in South East Asia.
IDG invests in Chinese personal finance app developer
IDG Capital Partners has provided a Series A round of funding for Hangzhou Wacai Science, a Chinese personal finance management mobile app developer. Terms of transaction was undisclosed but the investment was said to be more than $10 million.
Allegro targets $188m for Australasia distress fund
Allegro Funds is raising a A$200 million ($188 million) vehicle that will make turnaround investments in distressed Australian and New Zealand companies.
NTT Docomo Ventures, Livesense lead $5.5m investment in Japan's Aratana
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the Japanese mobile giant, and internet media firm Livesense have together led a JPY550 million ($5.5 million) investment round for Aratana, a social e-commerce platform developer. Existing VC backers JAFCO,...
Sequoia Capital leads $15m Series C in App Annie
Sequoia Capital has led a $15 million investment in app analytics platform App Annie, with participation from existing investors IDG Capital Partners, Greycroft Partners, e.ventures and Infinity Venture Partners. Tim Lee, partner at Sequoia Capital and...
Helion, Kalaari lead $10m Series B for Simplilearn.com
Helion Venture Partners and existing backer Kalaari Capital have led a $10 million Series B round for professional certification exam preparation provider Simplilearn Solutions.
India’s IDFC makes $644m first close on second infra fund
IDFC Alternatives has reached a $644 million first close on its second core infrastructure fund after just eight months in the market, making it one of the largest Indian fundraises in recent times. India Infrastructure Fund II (IIF2) has a full target...
Investors book passage with Tuniu
Most Travel e-commerce companies in China are essentially search engines that provide information on hotel and flight bookings plus a payment mechanism. The team at Tuniu opted for a different tack, focusing specifically on packaged tourism, and they...
ClearVue Partners backs $5m round for China online grocery store
ClearVue Partners has led a $5 million Series A round of funding in Shanghai-based online grocery store Fields.
MOPE raises $155m India growth fund
Motilal Oswal Private Equity (MOP) opted for more of the same when raising its second growth capital vehicle - India Business Excellence Fund (IBEF) II - remaining focused on domestic consumption, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and infrastructure...
Ironbridge's creative liquidity solution
Stapled secondaries and GP restructurings have become common parlance as Asia's private equity investors grapple with a challenging fundraising environment, even though talk still overshadows action. In each case, new investors come in to replace old,...
Altius appoints new Asia Pacific head
Altius Associates, a private equity advisory and fund-of-funds firm, has appointed Peter Pfister as a partner and head of Asia Pacific.
Hong Kong start-ups: The Silicon Harbour
Hong Kong is touting itself as Asia's next great tech start-up hub. It must first address expensive real estate, the role of government as facilitator, and strategic positioning vis-à-vis mainland China
PE-backed Australia pub fund targets IPO - report
Australian Pub Fund, which is backed by M.H. Carnegie & Co. and Australian superannuation fund Sunsuper, is said to planning an IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Niche funds: Finding an angle
China has seen a proliferation of niche funds in recent years as GPs try to stand out from the crowd with differentiated strategies. Are investors – institutions, individuals or governments – buying into the story?