Greater China
EQT exits Hong Kong ESG business Elevate
EQT has sold Elevate, a Hong Kong-based environment, social, and governance (ESG) and supply chain services provider it has backed since 2016, to LRQA, a larger peer in the assurance space.
Asia Alternatives fund-of-funds closes on $2b
Asia Alternatives has reached a final close of USD 2bn for its sixth private equity fund-of-funds and several related vehicles. It is the firm’s largest raise since its inception in 2015.
China IPOs: Offshore angst
Private equity exit timelines were thrown into disarray last year when US IPOs abruptly stopped. Regulators have offered some clarity, but investors are unsure when – or if – the magic will return
Foundation backs Bright's renminbi-to US dollar restructuring
In leading a USD 82m cross-currency restructuring of a consumer-tech portfolio managed by China’s Bright Capital, Foundation Private Equity opted for a structure that is unusual yet prioritises alignment
China medtech start-up SiBionics raises $79m
China-based medical technology start-up SiBionics has raised CNY 500m (USD 79m) in a third tranche of Series C funding co-led by CPE and China Life Investment.
Vision Fund leads $150m round for China e-commerce enabler
Shoplazza, a China-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider specialising in cross-border e-commerce, has raised USD 150m in the first tranche of Series C led by SoftBank Vision Fund II.
River Head Capital hits first close on latest reminbi fund
China’s River Head Capital has achieved a first close on its second Innovation Growth Fund, a renminbi-denominated vehicle that has an overall target of CNY 2bn (USD 135m).
Brookfield backs Sequoia China's new economy infra fund
Sequoia Capital China has raised a new economy infrastructure fund – which will invest in the likes of logistics, data centres, and life science parks – with Brookfield serving as the largest LP.
Hong Kong's Animoca Brands raises $359m at $5b valuation
US-based Liberty City Ventures has led a USD 359m round for Hong Kong blockchain media company Animoca Brands at a pre-money valuation of USD 5bn, more than double its valuation in October.
China beauty retailer Harmay raises $200m
Harmay, a China-based omnichannel beauty products retailer, has raised USD 200m across Series C and D rounds.
TPG-owned clinical trials player raises new equity, debt
Novotech, an Asia-based clinical trials specialist controlled by TPG Capital, has secured USD 760m in new equity and debt financing at a post-deal valuation of approximately USD 3bn.
Asia PE investment hits new high in 2021
A rebound in China-based activity took Asia private equity investment to a record USD 105.3bn in the fourth quarter, ensuring that 2021 represents a new high watermark for the industry.
China's Dishangtie Car Rental raises $200m
Dishangtie Car Rental, a Shenzhen-based electric vehicle (EV) rental service, has raised a USD 200m Series D round across two tranches featuring CICC Capital.
Deal focus: Starfield serves up Series B
The Chinese manufacturer of plant-based protein replacements has secured USD 100m in funding to advance a product portfolio that aspires to diversity and structural sophistication
4Q analysis: Record quarter, record year
China rebounds as Asia private equity investment ends 2021 with a bang; bright spots in improving fundraising environment; sponsor-to-sponsor exits thrive while PE-backed IPOs stumble
Metaverse: Too concrete to ignore
As lives lived online find a virtual world to call home, investors, brands, governments, corporations, and accountants follow them in. Real estate, avatars, and new ideas are in demand. Goggles are not
Fund focus: Ince eyes global entrepreneurs
Blockchain, hardware, and entrepreneurs going global are on the agenda for Ince Capital Partners’ second fund, which closed above target despite LPs getting spooked by the tech sector crackdown
China GPs emphasize consumer sector opportunities
Policy volatility in China has prompted many investors to eschew consumer-facing business models in favour of B2B plays like deep-tech, but sector specialists still see opportunity, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA)...
China 5G chip designer Eigencomm raises $157m
SoftBank Vision Fund II has led a CNY 1bn (USD 157m) Series C for Shanghai-based chipmaker Eigencomm, with participation from new investors Cathay Capital, CoStone Capital, Chobe Capital, and GF Qianhe, a unit of GF Securities.
PE consortium cuts 51job take-private offer by 28%
A private equity consortium pursuing a take-private of US-listed Chinese online recruitment platform 51job has cut its offer price by 28%, citing deteriorating market conditions, regulatory tightening in China, and the continuing impact of COVID-19.
Family offices to mix caution with courage in 2022
Conservatism in a post-pandemic world must be redefined to include flexibility and exposure to progressive industries, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia forum heard.
China plant-based protein player Starfield raises $100m
Primavera Capital Group has led a USD 100m Series B for Starfield, a Chinese producer of plant-based meats.
China sustainability start-up Bluepha raises $235m
Bluepha, a China-based synthetic biology company working on a range of biodegradable plastics, has raised a three-tranche Series B of CNY 1.5bn (USD 235m).
Goldman, Sofina lead Series C for China CDMO Zhenge
Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Sofina have led a USD 100m Series C round for Zhenge Biotech, a Shanghai-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO).
