MENA
China apps going global: Empires on hold
China’s data-driven consumer apps are having a harder time keeping politics out of business as they become increasingly competitive in global markets. Lessons are plentiful; solutions are not
Singapore GPs lead round for Israeli drone scouting start-up
Taranis, an Israel drone-based crop monitoring solution provider for farms, has raised $30 million in a Series C round eyeing expansion opportunities in Asian markets.
Q&A: Viola Ventures' Ronen Nir
Ronen Nir is a general partner at Viola Ventures, an early-stage technology investor under Israel’s Viola Group looking to expand its presence in Asia
China’s MSA Capital, Bahrain bank launch $50m VC fund
Beijing-based MSA Capital and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain have set up a $50 million VC fund that will target cross-border opportunities between China and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Baring Asia to buy Lumenis from XIO for $1b
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to buy Lumenis, an Israel-headquartered medical devices manufacturer that counts Asia as its largest market, from XIO Group for a valuation of $1 billion.
Chinese GPs back $120m Series B for OPay
A group of Chinese investors including Gaorong Capital and Sequoia Capital China have joined a $120 million Series B round for Nigerian logistics and payments technology company Opay.
Chinese VC in Africa: Cultural barriers
Chinese investors recognize the long-term potential in fostering technology-enabled business models in Africa, but reluctance to engage local stakeholders and develop local knowledge is holding them back
China's MSA receives VC fund commitment from Al Waha
China-based MSA Capital, also known as MagicStone Alternative Investments, has confirmed that Middle Eastern investor Al Waha has made an LP commitment to its second venture capital fund.
Sovereign investors and technology: Smart nations
Conservative sovereign wealth investors are increasingly comfortable making direct commitments to venture-oriented technology companies. The strategy appears to suit them but remains to be validated
Chinese GPs back Nigeria’s OPay
Nigeria-based online services platform OPay has raised a $50 million funding round with participation by a number of Chinese investors, including IDG Capital, Source Code Capital, Sequoia Capital China, Meituan-Dianping, and GSR Ventures.
Oman's Jabreen Capital buys stake in EastBridge
Oman-based private equity firm Jabreen Capital is expanding into Southeast Asia with the acquisition of a stake of undisclosed size in the Singapore division of Korean counterpart EastBridge Partners.
Investcorp: Into Asia
Investcorp entered the region last year through a fund commitment in China and the acquisition of an alternative investment platform in India. The firm’s top executives explain the rationale
Abraaj executives arrested on fraud charges
Two executives from The Abraaj Group, including founder Arif Naqvi, have been arrested on US fraud charges relating to the collapse of the growth markets-focused private equity firm.
Deal focus: Boomplay aspires to become Africa’s Spotify
Boomplay has leveraged demand for its Chinese parent's smart phones to become the leading music streaming platform in Africa. Maison Capital and Yunshi Capital were sufficiently impressed to back a $20 million Series A round
Saudi Arabia’s PIF commits $500m to China-Russia fund
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will invest $500 million into the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF), a vehicle established in 2012 by China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
ADIA hires ex-KKR executive to lead India, SE Asia PE
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has hired Kabir Mathur, a former member of KKR’s Asia leadership team, to head its private equity investments in India and Southeast Asia.
Abraaj files for restructuring
The Abraaj Group – which has been under pressure since governance concerns emerged in February – has appointed provisional liquidators to work on a restructuring of the firm after a second creditor filed a petition seeking to recover unpaid debts.
Abraaj releases LPs from commitments to latest fund
The Abraaj Group is releasing investors from commitments made to its latest flagship fund – which targets growth markets in Asia and other regions – having previously decided to suspend the fundraising process in the wake of governance concerns.
Abraaj founder steps back as part of governance review
Arif Naqvi, founder of The Abraaj Group, has stepped back from the fund management business as part of changes to the firm’s governance and operating model. This comes after LPs expressed concerns that a healthcare fund had been misused.
Q&A: Samena Capital's Shirish Saraf
With its focus on Asia and the Middle East and a roster of big-name owner-shareholders, Samena Capital is a GP with a difference. Shirish Saraf, the firm’s founder and vice chairman, explains the strategy
Chinese GP to buy Camtek's printed circuit board business
Chinese private equity firm Principle Capital has agreed to buy the printed circuit board (PCB) business of Israel-based semiconductor component manufacturer Camtek for $35 million.
Japan's Softbank invests $100m in Cybereason
SoftBank Corp. has agreed to invest $100 million in a Series D funding round for Cybereason, a US-headquartered cybersecurity platform provider targeting expansion in Japan.
Warburg Pincus invests $300m in emerging markets TMT platform
Warburg Pincus has invested $300 million in Princeton Growth Ventures (Princeton GV), a telecom, media and technology (TMT) buy-out platform that seeks to acquire assets in emerging markets.
PE and Islamic finance: Underlying themes
Encouraging trends in population, social mobility, commodities, technology, and governance standards are converging on Islamic finance. PE plays a small role with strong upside in Asia
