Funds
Equity International raises Asia fund to support e-Shang Redwood
Equity International (EI), a Chicago-based investment firm focused on real estate and infrastructure platforms in emerging markets, has closed its first Asia-focused fund, aimed at supporting Chinese warehouse firm e-Shang Redwood (ESR).
Allegro acquires Pizza Hut Australia
Allegro Funds has acquired Pizza Hut Australia from US owner Yum Brands alongside a local management team comprising former McDonald’s executives.
China local supermarket O2O player raises $195m
Huimin, a Chinese B2B e-commerce platform that focuses on small-scale supermarkets, has raised a RMB1.3 billion ($195 million) Series B round from a group of renminbi fund managers including Fortune Capital.
Q&A: Aberdeen Asset Management's Andrew McCaffery
Andrew McCaffery, head of alternatives at Aberdeen Asset Management, discusses the long-term impact of investors becoming more aggressive in their pursuit of returns, almost regardless of the risk
Secondaries: Stick or twist?
After several years of rapid growth, secondaries volumes slowed in the first half of 2016, while fundraising reached an all-time high. Opinion is divided on the prospects for an increasingly nuanced market
China online used car marketplace Renrenche raises $150m
Renrenche, a Chinese peer-to-peer second-hand car trading platform, has raised $150 million in the initial tranche of its ongoing Series D round of funding.
Apax in $102m partial exit from India's Cholamandalam
Apax Partners has made a partial exit from Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) Cholamandalam Investment & Finance, generating proceeds of $102 million.
Australian government launches $15m cleantech fund
The renewable energy division of Australia’s Department of Industry, Innovation & Science has launched a A$20 million ($15.3 million) seed fund that will focus on domestic clean energy start-ups.
Temasek, GDP, Mistletoe in fresh round for Singapore's Garena
Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Garena has raised a fresh round of funding from a unit of Temasek Holdings, Indonesia's Global Digital Prima (GDP) Venture, and Japanese impact investor Mistletoe.
Singapore's Venturecraft launches $37m tech fund
Venturecraft, a Singapore-based VC investor and accelerator, has launched a new S$50 million ($37 million) investment fund aimed at early and growth stage medical technology (medtech) and internet start-ups in Asia.
IDG-Everbright fund buys Shanghai Film Art Academy
China Everbright (CEL) and IDG Capital Partners have acquired a controlling stake in the Shanghai Film Art Academy for an undisclosed sum.
Advent, Temasek fall short in bid for control of Crompton Greaves unit
Temasek Holdings and Advent International have closed their open offer for Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals (CGCEL), the former consumer products unit of India's Crompton Greaves, having failed to acquire a controlling stake in the company.
Australia FIRB head to join Carlyle's Asia buyout team
The Carlyle Group has appointed Brian Wilson, currently chairman of Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), as a senior advisor to its Asia buyout team.
China's State Council proposes better deal for foreign VC firms
Foreign venture capital investors will receive equal treatment to their domestic counterparts as part of efforts to boost funding for start-ups, according to the Chinese government.
VC-backed Berry Genomics to list in Shenzhen via reverse merger
Berry Genomics, a Chinese genetic test developer backed by Qiming Venture Partners and Legend Capital, is looking to list in Shenzhen through a reverse merger.
Accel invests $7m in India's Mihup
Accel Partners has invested over INR450 million ($6.7 million) in Indian artificial intelligence-enabled personal assistant app developer Mihup Communications.
China Everbright, Focus Media form $750m TMT fund
China Everbright and its portfolio company Focus Media, a Chinese outdoor advertising business, have launched a RMB5 billion ($750 million) investment fund that will invest in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector.
GPs target micro gains in weaker macro environment - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors expect private equity funds to deliver outsize returns, regardless of the lower growth environment in Asia, which means GPs must focus more on making a difference to portfolio companies at the micro level.
UOB Venture leads $30m round for China’s HunterOn
UOB Venture Management (UOBVM), a subsidiary of Singapore’s United Overseas Bank, has led a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series C round for HunterOn, a Chinese online recruitment services provider.
Ambit Pragma invests in India's Prime Focus
Indian mid-market PE firm Ambit Pragma has invested in Prime Focus Technology (PFT), a subsidiary of Indian media services company Prime Focus.
China cloud radiotherapy start-up Allcure raises $27m
Beijing Allcure Medical Technology, a Chinese medical start-up that develops cloud-based radiotherapy technology, has raised an extended Series A round of funding worth RMB180 million ($27 million).
Southeast Asia’s HappyFresh gets Series B
HappyFresh, a Southeast Asian online grocery delivery platform, has raised a Series B funding round led by Dubai-based private equity firm Samena Capital.
Bessemer leads $15m round for India's LivSpace
Bessemer Venture Partners has led a INR1 billion ($14.9 million) funding round for Indian online home design portal LivSpace.
IFC commits $15m to Philippines PE fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest up to $15 million in the debut fund of Philippines-based private equity firm Sierra Madre Managers.