Greater China
Deal focus: WeRide confirms its ascendency
Chinese autonomous driving pioneer WeRide has climbed from near bankruptcy to a USD 4.4bn valuation within three years. A collaboration with Bosch could form a blueprint for other alliances
Profile: Silverhorn’s Bert Kwan
During a career that has seen both highs and lows, Bert Kwan has demonstrated an ability to back growth opportunities in Asia’s emerging markets. He is planning on more of the same at Silverhorn
Trustar seeks $3.5b for fifth China buyout fund
Trustar Capital, formerly known as CITIC Capital Partners, is looking to raise USD 3.5bn for its fifth China buyout fund and USD 250m for a debut growth vehicle.
Baring Asia completes $980m take-private of Taiwan's Ginko
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has completed a take-private of Taiwan-listed contact lens manufacturer Ginko International at a valuation of NTD 27.2bn (USD 980m).
China energy storage start-up gets $48m pre-Series A
Zhongchu Guoneng Technology (ZGT), a China-based energy storage company, has raised CNY 320m (USD 48m) in pre-Series A funding led by Tsinghua Holdings Capital.
Bosch invests in China's WeRide
China-based autonomous driving technology developer WeRide has received a strategic investment from German engineering multinational Bosch.
Franklin Templeton strengthens Asia PE coverage of agri-food
Franklin Templeton has appointed Patrick Vizzone as a managing director and head of agri-food for its Asia Pacific alternatives group. He will lead PE and VC investments in the space globally.
Carlyle buys China's HCP Packaging from Baring Asia
The Carlyle Group will become HCP Packaging’s third consecutive private equity owner, having agreed to acquire the China-based packaging from Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA).
China guidance funds pump $132m into Gowin Semiconductor
Chinese semiconductor manufacturer Gowin has raised an extended Series B round of CNY 880m (USD 132m) led by Guangzhou Bay Area Semiconductor Industry Group, which has now become the company's largest shareholder.
Hong Kong crypto player Babel hits $2b valuation
Hong Kong-based Babel Finance, which claims to be the world’s leading wholesale crypto financial services provider, has raised USD 80m in Series B funding at a valuation of USD 2bn.
China’s Primavera seeks $1.5b for carbon neutrality fund
China-focused Primavera Capital Group is looking to raise approximately CNY 10bn (USD 1.5bn) for a carbon neutrality fund, emphasising the increased popularity of sustainability strategies among local private equity investors.
Advent raises $25bn for global PE fund, targets China
Advent International has closed its largest ever global private equity fund at the hard cap of USD 25bn with plans to expand its investment activity in Greater China in the next few years.
Fund focus: XVC stresses its idiosyncrasies
The China VC firm cuts against the grain, eschewing investment committee meetings and embracing consumer deals while others shun them. It works from a fundraising perspective
Fund focus: BlueRun defies China fundraising woes
Having secured USD 819m, across US dollar and renminbi vehicles, the early-stage investor wants to prove that China can deliver globally competitive technology
Portfolio: Investcorp and Viz Branz
War, climate change, and COVID-19 are twisting the outlook for Investcorp-owned instant food supplier Viz Branz. But an implacable China growth story has underpinned an aggressive expansion agenda
Singapore metaverse platform Bud raises $36.8m
Singapore-based metaverse user generated content (UGC) platform Bud has raised a Series B round of USD 36.8m led by Sequoia Capital India.
China rocket developer Orienspace raises $60m
Chinese rocket developer Orienspace has raised a CNY400m (USD 60m) Series A round led by HikeCapital.
Ince leads $30m round for China’s PhiGent Robotics
Beijing-based autonomous driving solutions provider PhiGent Robotics has raised a USD30m Series A round led by Ince Capital. Previous investors such as Atypical Ventures, 5Y Capital, and GSR Ventures re-upped.
China's BlueRun $819m across US dollar, renminbi funds
China-based BlueRun Ventures has closed its third US dollar-denominated China fund and third renminbi vehicle with aggregate commitments of CNY 5.5bn (USD 819m).
Hong Kong's Betatron hits $15m first close on VC fund
Hong Kong’s Betatron Venture Group has reached a first close of USD 15m on its latest fund, which will make early-stage investments across South and Southeast Asia. The target is USD 50m.
SPAC target Prenetics sinks on US debut
Hong Kong-based genomic and diagnostic testing business Prenetics slumped on its NASDAQ debut, unable to withstand struggling public markets public markets and weak investor appetite for businesses that merge with US-listed special purpose acquisition...
China industrial internet platform Xuelangyun raises $44m
Xuelangyun, a China-based industrial data service provider, has raised a Series B of CNY 300m (USD 44m) led by China Structural Reform Fund. Poly Capital and an intellectual property fund under Wuxi Guolian Development also participated.
China outbound: Organic options
Tough domestic competition is encouraging Chinese tech start-ups to expand overseas – often organically, earlier in their lifecycles than before, and despite regulatory concerns