Regions
Deal focus: L Catterton backs Social Bella to emulate Perfect Diary
Social Bella has risen to prominence in Indonesia as an omnichannel distributor for other beauty brands, but the start-ups is now developing some of its own. L Catterton is backing this diversification drive
Deal focus: The e-commerce agglomeration effect
Inspired by Thrasio buying up e-commerce brands in the US and using its resources to drive growth, Una Brands wants to do the same in Asia. The start-up has secured $40 million to kick-start this effort
Deal focus: Bibit lays claim to be Indonesia’s Robinhood
A couple of quickfire funding rounds for Bibit reflects global investor appetite for robo-advisory businesses and the Indonesian company’s rare double-headed product offering
India retail: Bazaar bedrock
Traditional micro-retailers continue to dominate India’s consumer economy, thriving amid COVID-19, encroaching supermarkets, and the rise of e-commerce. So, why is investing in them so hard?
Source Code leads Series C for China online insurance broker
Yuanbao, a Chinese online insurance broker, has raised nearly RMB1 billion ($156 million) in Series C funding led by Source Code Capital. Other investors include Cathay Capital, Hike Capital, Northern Light Venture Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, and...
Nordstar, Insignia back Asia Amazon marketplace consolidator
Southeast Asia has seen its second e-commerce aggregator investment in a matter of days, with Rainforest securing $36 million in seed funding from Nordstar and Insignia Venture Partners.
Japan's Infinity Ventures joins global alliance
Japan’s Infinity Ventures has teamed up with US and Europe-based E.ventures as well as its Brazilian affiliate Redpoint Eventures to form a global VC under the name Headline.
Blackstone sweetens offer for Australia's Crown Resorts
The Blackstone Group has improved its take-private offer for Crown Resorts, valuing the Australian casino operator at about A$8.3 billion ($6.5 billion).
KKR relaunches IPO bid for Australia's Pepper
KKR has returned to the market with Australia-based mortgage and asset finance lending business Pepper Money – a year after a previous IPO failed to get traction – seeking to raise up to A$500.1 million ($394 million).
Carlyle makes $536m realization from India's SBI Life
The Carlyle Group has sold more than two-thirds of its remaining stake in India-listed life insurance company SBI Life for approximately INR39.4 billion ($536 million) via a bulk transaction.
China’s Hope Medicine raises $56m Series B
Chinese innovative drug company Hope Medicine has raised a $56 million Series B round jointly led by Qiming Venture Partners and Grand Flight Investment.
China's ANE Logistics files for Hong Kong IPO
ANE Logistics, a Chinese road freight transportation business backed by Centurium Capital, CDH Investments, and CPE among others, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
PE-backed Waterdrop falls on debut after $360m US IPO
Waterdrop, a China-based insurance, medical crowdfunding and mutual aid platform, fell 19% on its New York Stock Exchange debut following a $360 million IPO.
TA buys Singapore corporate services provider, EQT exits
TA Associates has acquired a majority stake in In.Corp Group, a Singapore-headquartered corporate services provider, facilitating an exit for EQT.
Asia brand aggregator raises $40m
Una Brands, an aggregator of e-commerce brands with a presence across Asia, has launched with A$50 million ($40 million) in seed funding from 500 Startups, Kingsway Capital, 468 Capital, Presight Capital, and Global Founders Capital.
China's MSA Capital backs Saudi B2B start-up
China’s MSA Capital has joined a $30.5 million round for Saudi Arabian B2B services marketplace Sary as part of a deepening Asia-Middle East agenda.
5Y, Sequoia back China app-building platform
Huoban.com, a Chinese zero-code application building platform has raised $17 million in Series B funding led by 5Y Capital and Sequoia Capital China. Challenjers Capital also took part in the round.
Apollo offers $3.1b for Australia sports betting business
Apollo Management has submitted a A$4 billion ($3.1 billion) bid for the wagering and media and gaming services businesses of Tabcorp Holdings, Australia’s largest gambling company.
Yale's David Swensen dies aged 67
David Swensen, head of the Yale University endowment who pioneered a new approach to institutional investment management, has died aged 67 following a long battle with cancer.
DCP, Sequoia lead Series B for China's Valgen Medtech
DCP Capital has continued its run of investments in China’s medical devices industry by participating in a Series B funding round for Hangzhou Valgen Medtech.
India's Teachmint raises $16.5m Series A
Indian education technology provider Teachmint has raised a $16.5 million Series A round led by US-based specialist investor Learn Capital.
Asia Partners leads round for SE Asia e-commerce enabler
Asia Partners has led an approximately S$50 million ($37.4 million) round for Southeast Asia-focused cross-border e-commerce enabler SCI Ecommerce.
CVC, CDPQ carve out China ad agency's global portfolio
CVC Capital Partners and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) have agreed to acquire a majority stake in the international business of China-based advertising and marketing agency BlueFocus Group at a valuation of $350 million.
Blackstone appoints leadership for Asia PE business
The Blackstone Group has moved Amit Dixit and Ed Huang into leadership positions in its Asia private equity business as part of a round of promotions within the division globally.