Region
Deal focus: China's Benlai takes a different approach to group buying
Community group buying businesses are beginning to struggle in China despite considerable VC investment. Fresh produce retailer Benlai believes its online-to-offline hybrid model is more sustainable
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2020
Industry experts weigh in as a range of macro factors promise to reshape markets across the region. Political, demographic, and scientific variables loom large
Indonesia's Alpha JWC Ventures closes second fund at $123m
Indonesia-based early-stage investor Alpha JWC Ventures has closed its second fund oversubscribed at $123 million.
Chinese industrial internet platform gets $42m Series A
Xreacloud, an industrial internet-of-things (IoT) platform incubated by Chinese state-owned construction machinery manufacturer XCMG, has raised RMB300 million ($43 million) in Series A funding.
Denham, Nexif acquire Vietnam hydro player
Resources industry private equity firm Denham Capital and Singapore-based power management company Nexif have jointly acquired a 94% stake in Vietnam’s Song Giang Hydropower.
AIIB backs two energy, infrastructure funds
China-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is set to anchor two private equity funds, including an energy-focused vehicle, with a total commitment of $125 million.
Australia's Blackbird completes Fund I strip sale
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has completed a GP-led secondary transaction whereby StepStone Global and HESTA have acquired interests from its debut fund for approximately A$100 million ($69 million).
Singapore medical tech start-up raises $40 million
Awak Technologies, a Singaporean start-up that makes wearable dialysis treatment devices, has raised $40 million co-led by Vickers Venture Partners and an unnamed medical technology company.
Deal focus: 2C2P brings enterprise to SE Asia fintech
Cento Ventures picked 2C2P as the first investment under its late-stage strategy, having been one over by the company's B2B approach to digital payments
China's KeChow Pharma gets $45m Series C
Shanghai Kechow Pharma, a Chinese small molecule targeted drug developer, has raised a $45 million Series C round led by Decheng Capital.
China fabrics platform Baibu raises $300m
Baibu, a Chinese B2B trading and services platform for the textiles and fabrics industry, has raised a $300 million Series D round led by DST Global.
Delivery Hero to buy Korea's Woowa Brothers for $4b
Food delivery start-up Delivery Hero has agreed to acquire Korean peer Woowa Brothers in a deal that values the target at $4 billion and will facilitate exits for several private equity investors.
Fund focus: Azalea embraces equity with fund-of-funds offering
Temasek Holdings-owned Azalea Asset Management previously used debt structures to give high net worth investors PE exposure. Its $650 million fund-of-funds is the firm’s first direct equity offering
Reliance buys majority stake in India's NowFloats
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries has agreed to buy an 85% stake in local enterprise IT provider NowFloats for INR1.4 billion ($20 million). It positions several VCs to exit.
China's largest co-working player Ucommune files for US IPO
Ucommune, China’s largest co-working space player which is considered the local equivalent to troubled US operator WeWork, has filed for a US IPO.
Chinese drone maker EHang raises $40m in US IPO
Chinese drone manufacturer EHang traded flat on its NASDAQ debut following a $40 million IPO that priced at the bottom end of the indicative range.
Tiger Global leads round for Indian invoice discounting platform
Tiger Global Management has led a $26 million Series B round for Indian B2B financing platform provider KredX.
New Zealand impact fund backs sustainable packaging player
New Zealand’s Impact Enterprise Fund (IEF) has confirmed an investment in local sustainable packaging supplier Grounded.
Hong Kong's WeLab secures $156m Series C
WeLab, a Hong Kong financial technology start-up that abandoned plans for an IPO approximately 12 months ago, has raised $156 million in a new private funding round.
GP profile: CPE Capital
CHAMP Private Equity became CPE Capital earlier this year, following a leadership transition. The Australian GP has also refined its middle market investment strategy, emphasizing functional expertise
Macro uncertainty to drive increased Korean M&A
Difficult economic and political conditions bode well for the Korean PE industry in the near term, according to Michael Chung (pictured), head of Korea at Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
Malaysia's Carsome raises $50m Series C
Japan’s Daiwa Securities and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group have joined a $50 million Series C round for Malaysian used car trading platform Carsome.
Tencent Literature leads round for Chinese interactive filmmaker
AltStory, a Chinese interactive movie and television content company, has raised approximately RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A funding led by China Literature, a listed unit of Tencent Holdings.
3one4 closes India venture, seed funds
India’s 3one4 Capital has closed its latest venture capital fund with INR4 billion ($57 million) in commitments and raised INR450 million for seed investment vehicle.