North America
Blackstone closes debut Asia PE fund at $2.3b
The Blackstone Group has achieved a final close on its maiden Asia-focused private equity fund at a revised hard cap of $2.3 billion.
Pivotal China seeds Sino-US cancer drug developer
Pivotal BioVenture Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has led a $16.5 million seed round for Sino-US cancer drug developer Oncologie.
Chinese pre-IPO GP Cornerstone files for US IPO
Cornerstone Capital, a China-based PE firm that focuses on pre-IPO investments, has filed for an IPO on NASDAQ.
US, China-based Protean gets $40m Series E
Chinese automotive industry supplier Weifu High Technology Group has led a $40 million Series E round for Protean Electric, a US and China-based auto equipment developer backed by a number of VC investors.
US pension funds: Going direct
California Public Employees’ Retirement System's (CalPERS) decision to launch a private equity direct investment strategy sets it apart from its counterparts, but the plan will need conviction and focus to succeed
Chinese VCs join $300m round for US, Hong Kong-based Grail
Ally Bridge Group, Hillhouse Capital and 6 Dimensions Capital have co-led a $300 million Series C round for Grail, a biotechnology development firm based in Hong Kong and the US.
Permira, Hillhouse agree $1.7b Magento exit
Permira and Hillhouse Capital will sell their stakes in Magento Commerce, a US company that provides transaction-processing software to e-commerce players, to Adobe as part of a $1.7 billion transaction.
Apax exits remaining GlobalLogic stake to Partners Group
Apax Partners has sold its remaining 48% interest in GlobalLogic, an IT outsourcing company founded by several Indian entrepreneurs, to Partners Group. The deal values the business at more than $2 billion.
CalPERS to launch direct private equity investment unit
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the US, plans to deploy up to $13 billion a year in direct private equity deals through two newly formed funds.
CPPIB's Asia private equity exposure tops $13b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) continues to ramp up its exposure to Asian private equity, with called and uncalled commitments rising 27% to C$17.1 billion ($13.3 billion) for the 12 months ended March 2018.
Next 10 secures $50m for user-generated content fund
Next 10 Ventures, a US and Singapore-based GP headed by former YouTube and Warner Bros executives, has raised $50 million for a fund focused on user-generated media content businesses.
KPCB leads $20m round for China cross-border retail player
KPCB has led a $20 million Series B funding round for BorderX Lab, a US-based e-commerce services company that helps global retailers connect with Chinese consumers.
NASDAQ CEO: Concrete goals essential for successful IPOs
Start-ups looking to go public must have solid plans for long-term growth and clear targets by which their progress can be measured, according to Adena Friedman, president and CEO of NASDAQ.
Singapore's Aslan Pharma raises $42m in US IPO
Aslan Pharmaceutical, a Singapore-based drug developer that focuses on cancer treatments, has raised $42.2 million in its US IPO. The VC-backed company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange last June.
Qiming joins $12.6m round for China's Wuxi Vision
Qiming Venture Partners and Ruijan Capital have contributed RMB80 million ($12.6 million) to a Series B round for Wuxi Vision Pro, a Chinese ophthalmic medical device maker with operations in the US.
GGV closes debut renminbi VC fund at $236m
GGV Capital has raised RMB1.5 billion ($236 million) for its debut renminbi-denominated fund. The successful close takes the Sino-US venture capital firm’s total assets under management past $4 billion.
Sequoia, Saama to exit US, India-based analytics company
Sequoia Capital India and Saama Capital will exit their 10-year investment in ScioInspire Holdings, a healthcare analytics platform with operations in the US, UK and India, through a merger with US-listed industry peer EXL.
HQ raises $250m for Asia secondaries fund
HQ Capital has closed an Asia-focused secondaries fund at the hard cap of $250 million as part of an oversubscribed global fundraising drive that has received $674 million in third-party commitments.
Lilly Asia leads $25m round for US-based Avedro
Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) has led a $25 million round for Avedro, a US-based ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical devices company with a view to expanding in Asia.
PE-backed STX Entertainment files for Hong Kong IPO
STX Entertainment, a film and TV studio that claims to bridge the US and Chinese markets, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong. The company’s investors include Hony Capital and TPG Capital’s growth arm.
PennSERS to invest $75m in Hahn & Co's Korea fund
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has agreed to commit up to $75 million to Hahn & Company’s third Korea-focused fund.
SIG leads $13.5m round for US, China-based Castbox
SIG China has led a $13.5 million Series B funding round for Castbox, a US and China-based podcasting platform with content in multiple languages.
CPPIB promotes Kim in Asia leadership reshuffle
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has promoted Suyi Kim to the role of senior managing director and head of Asia Pacific, along with additional changes in the firm’s Asian leadership.
Chinese VCs in $11m round for US-based NuProbe
Sequoia Capital China and Serica Partners have co-led an $11 million Series A round for US-based molecular diagnostics start-up NuProbe.