Greater China
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).
Fund focus: Eastern Bell targets digitalisation
As a supply chain specialist, Eastern Bell Capital claims to have a differentiated take on China industrial digitalisation. It has USD 800m in dry powder to prove this thesis
FountainVest buys China QSR restaurant operator from EQT
FountainVest Partners has acquired China F&B Group (CFB), one of the master franchise operators for Papa John’s and Dairy Queen in mainland China, from EQT for an undisclosed sum.
China gene therapy start-up Cure Genetics raises $60m
Advantech Capital has led a USD 60m Series B for Suzhou-based biotech player Cure Genetics. Other investors include Oriza Holdings, Blue Ocean Private Equity, and Qiming Venture Partners.
Singapore's Virtue Diagnostics closes $100m Series B
Singapore-based Virtue Diagnostics, a clinical testing equipment supplier for China and developing markets, has raised a USD 100m Series B round led by Sequoia Capital China and Morningside Ventures.
China's Ince raises $700m across two funds
Ince Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm established by J.P. Gan, formerly a managing partner at Qiming Venture Partners, has raised USD 700m for its second fund and for an accompanying vehicle aimed at later-stage opportunities.
TA promotes Hong Kong-based Andrew Tay to principal
TA Associates has promoted Andrew Tay, a Hong Kong-based investment professional, from director to principal.
China's Linear Capital raises $500m
Linear Capital, a China-based, technology-focused investment firm, has raised USD 500m for its fifth US dollar-denominated fund and its second opportunity Fund. It brings the firm’s total assets under management to USD 2bn.
China AI gaming company Parametrix raises $100m
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) gaming company Parametrix.ai has raised a USD 100m Series B round led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing investors 5Y Capital and Gaorong Capital re-upped.
AGIC exits healthcare business Ritedose to Novo Holdings
AGIC Capital, which specializes in cross-border deals along the China-Europe axis, has agreed to sell pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging business Ritedose Corporation to Novo Holdings.
China CDMO Thousand Oaks raises $240m
Thousand Oaks Biopharmaceuticals, a China-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has raised CNY 1.5bn (USD 240m) in funding led by Goldstone Investment - a private equity unit of CITIC Securities - and CDH Investments.
Eastern Bell raises $2b across US dollar, renminbi funds
Eastern Bell Capital has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund and its sixth renminbi-denominated fund with aggregate commitments of more than CNY 13bn (USD 2bn).
China biotech player GenFleet raises $75m
GenFleet Therapeutics, a Chinese biotech developer focused on oncology and immunology, has secured a USD 75m Series C round led by Huagai Capital.
China's SenseTime perseveres with IPO despite blacklisting
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology developer SenseTime has relaunched its IPO on the same terms, albeit excluding US investors, after being placed on another blacklist by the US government.
Hong Kong seeks compromise on local SPAC provisions
Hong Kong has compromised on several points of contention in its special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) guidelines, notably removing a requirement that investors can only redeem their shares post-merger if they vote against the deal.
ADV backs Asia, North America flooring manufacturer
ADV Partners has acquired a significant minority interest in CFL Technologies, a flooring materials business with a presence in multiple locations in the US, China, and Vietnam.
2022 preview: Healthcare
Healthcare’s high-cost, rapidly digitizing profile will persist regardless of how COVID-19 plays out in the coming years. China appears set for consolidation, including in biotech
Hong Kong's Brinc raises $130m for blockchain programs
Hong Kong accelerator Brinc has raised $130 million for blockchain-related accelerator programs and a global expansion with support from Animoca Brands, a local segment leader backed by several VCs.
2022 preview: China sustainability
Green-tech investment, from electric vehicles to renewable energy, is already in the ascendency as China ponders a carbon-neutral future. Momentum is expected to grow in 2022
2022 preview: China fundraising
Investors held fire on commitments to China managers amid uncertainty over regulatory reforms. Industry participants hope the government will provide clarity, but the fear LPs won’t hurry back