North America
Fund focus: Vickers prepares to narrow its focus
Vickers Venture Partners raised $230 million for its latest VC fund on the back of a strong track record, but the firm's future vehicles are likely to have more specific remits
Regulation: Dialogue in the dark
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US has a huge a backlog of applications to process and a staffing shortage. Potential buyers have little choice but to be patient
Vickers closes fifth VC fund at $230m
Vickers Ventures Partners has closed its fifth fund, which invests in China, Southeast Asia, India and the US, at $230 million – larger than the firm’s four previous vehicles put together.
VCs commit $6.6m to Japan's Skydisc
Skydisc, a Japan-based company that provides hardware for internet-of-things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, has raised JPY740 million ($6.6 million) from a group of VC firms, including existing backers Nissay Capital and Archetype...
Deal focus: JingChi gases up with Qiming investment
Technology developer JingChi is planning to leverage a new commitment from Qiming Venture Partners to take the lead in China's competitive autonomous driving space
India cloud player HighRadius secures $50m
HighRadius, a US and India-based financial technology company focused on cloud computing services, has received $50 million from Susquehanna Growth Equity for a global expansion.
Deal focus: Tonbo looks to move beyond defense
WRV Capital is backing Tonbo Imaging, a provider of night vision technology to the Indian military, as it expands into new markets
Portfolio: ChrysCapital and LiquidHub
Despite coming in as a minority investor, ChrysCapital has been key to the overseas expansion of US-based LiquidHub. The firm credits its active collaboration and unique connections
Asus launches $50m cross-border VC fund
Taiwan-based hardware giant Asus has launched a $50 million VC fund aimed at helping US start-ups expand in Asia.
1955 Capital backs US-based Gridtential to expand in Asia
1955 Capital, a cross-border PE firm set up by former Khosla Ventures partner Andrew Chung, has led an $11 million Series B round for US-based energy storage technology developer Gridtential aimed at supporting its Asia expansion.
Moving time: How VCs replace start-up CEOs
From Uber to Flipkart, there are high-profile examples of founders being replaced as CEOs of their start-ups. It isn’t common practice in Asia, and for reasons of corporate culture, this isn’t likely to change
China's Withinlink seeks $30m for VC fund
China-based start-up incubator and early-stage investor Withinlink is targeting $30 million for its second venture capital fund to help US companies enter the Chinese market.
Baring Asia, CPPIB complete Nord Anglia acquisition
Baring Private Equity Asia and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have completed their $4.3 billion privatization of US-listed Nord Anglia Education, a school operator in which Baring Asia was already majority shareholder.
CITIC PE, 3SBio agree North America acquisition
CITIC Private Equity and Chinese drug developer 3SBio – which the PE firm took public in Hong Kong two years ago – have agreed to buy the contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) business of Canada’s Therapure Biopharma for $423 million, including...
SoftBank Group, Vision Fund invest $4.4b in WeWork
US-based co-working space operator WeWork has received commitments totaling $4.4 billion from Japan’s SoftBank Group and its SoftBank Vision Fund.
Fundraising: The LP angle
On a recent US trip North American LPs shared their views of the institutional funding zeitgeist
Token sales: Cryptic beginnings
The sale of digitized contracts known as tokens has become a dominating force in early-stage start-up funding. Venture capitalists are beginning to cautiously participate as the phenomenon matures
Profile: Tsing Capital's Don Ye
Don Ye, founder and managing partner for Tsing Capital, is sometimes called the ‘elder statesman’ of cleantech investment in China. Formative years in the US helped him clarify an actionable world view
PennSERS commits $100m to Asia Alternatives
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has extended its long-standing relationship with Asia Alternatives, allocating $50 million to the firm’s latest fund-of-funds product and a further $50 million to a separate account.
LP interview: Allstate Investments
Allstate Investments has gradually increased its exposure to private equity – and Asia specifically – over the last 12 years or so, but the current bullishness around the asset class is cause for concern
Japan's Marubeni buys beef supplier from US GP
Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp. has acquired Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, a US-based supplier of beef and pork products, from Sun Capital Partners.
GGV leads $10m round for Asian snacks business
GGV Capital has led a $10 million Series A funding round for Yamibuy, a US-based e-commerce player focused on Asian snacks, beauty products, health supplements and home appliances.
Cathay raises $320m for China-US-Europe VC fund
Middle-market private equity firm Cathay Capital Private Equity has closed its first venture capital fund at $320 million with a mandate spanning China, Europe, and North America.
US LPs & co-investment: Risk appetite
There are various practical reasons - concerning legal, oversight and human reasons - why US pension funds are not as aggressive as their Canadian peers in private equity. A change in mindset would also be helpful