Region
Fund focus: AirTree goes full service
AirTree Ventures raised $188 million for its third fund on the back of a hiring spree that has doubled headcount and added operational capabilities as the firm looks to nurture a new generation of Australian unicorns
Fund focus: J.P. Gan bucks VC fundraising trend
Having spent 12 years at Qiming Venture Partners, J.P. Gan has raised $352 million for his debut fund at Ince Capital Partners. More early-stage consumer internet deals will follow
China car finance player targets US IPO
Meili Auto, a Chinese car financing platform, has filed for US IPO. Its backers include Gaorong Capital, China International Capital Corporation (CICC), and Lingfeng Capital.
Aspirant scales up for third Japan buyout fund
Aspirant Group, a Japanese middle-market buyout firm, has closed its third fund at the hard cap of JPY50 billion ($463 million). It is nearly twice the size of the GP’s previous vehicle.
CDIB completes acquisition of Taiwan's Jintex
CDIB Capital has confirmed completion of its NT$1.9 billion ($61 million) acquisition of Taiwanese chemicals producer Jintex.
Blackstone backs India's Aakash Educational
The Blackstone Group has invested an undisclosed sum in New Delhi-based Aakash Educational Services with a view to building India’s largest digital omnichannel test preparation company.
China's I-Mab Biopharma pursues US IPO
I-Mab Biopharma, the product of a CBC Group-engineered merger of two Chinese drug developers, has announced plans for a NASDAQ IPO.
China media platform Lizhi pursues US listing
Lizhi, a Guangzhou-based audio streaming and social networking platform backed by Matrix Partners China and Morningside Venture Capital, has filed for a US IPO.
TDM Growth leads $48m Series C for Australia's Rokt
TDM Growth Partners, an Australian GP that invests across public and private companies, has led a $48 million Series C round for local marketing technology supplier Rokt.
Chinese auto parts platform Casstime raises $80m
Sequoia Capital China and Source Code Capital have co-led a $80 million funding round – described as the first tranche of a Series C – for Chinese aftermarket car parts supplier Casstime.
China's Danke raises $190m, files for US IPO
China-based long-term apartment rental platform Danke has filed for a US IPO. It comes a fortnight after the company raised $190 million in Series D funding from CMC Capital Partners and Primavera Capital Group.
Kirwood leads Series C for New Zealand fintech player
Kirwood Capital, a private equity firm that makes growth investments in Australia and New Zealand-based companies with global expansion prospects, has joined a NZ$25 million ($16 million) Series C round or digital lending platform Harmoney.
Naspers VC unit backs India's ElasticRun
Prosus Ventures, a VC unit of South African internet conglomerate Naspers, has led a $40 million investment in Indian logistics technology developer ElasticRun.
GP profile: J-Star
J-Star’s measured approach to Japan’s middle-market buyout space has tracked a slowly unfolding opportunity set with an uncommon sense of patience
PE-backed bitcoin mining company files for US IPO
Canaan, which claims to be China’s leading manufacturer of bitcoin mining equipment has filed for a US IPO. This follows failed attempts to list in Hong Kong and complete a reverse merger in Shenzhen.
Jungle closes Southeast Asia VC fund at $240m
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has closed its third early-stage Southeast Asia VC fund at $240 million, more than doubling the previous vintage.
Quadrant wins board approval for buyout of Australia's QMS Media
Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to buy Australian outdoor advertising business QMS Media Group for an enterprise valuation of A$571.6 million ($392 million) through a scheme of arrangement.
Deal focus: China's XTransfer fills missing link in fintech
XTransfer has won backing from Alibaba and a string of venture capital investors to provide a bridge to payment services that so many small businesses in China are still forced to go without
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
Hillhouse wins battle for China electronics player Gree
Hillhouse Capital has secured a 15% interest in Gree Electric Appliances, China's leading manufacturer of air conditioners, beating a consortium led by Hopu Investment.
Biotech player Ascentage gains on debut after $53m HK IPO
Ascentage Pharma saw its share price surge 57% during the first day of trading in Hong Kong before closing up 9.9%, following a heavily oversubscribed HK$416.6 million ($53 million) IPO.
India motorcycle taxi platform Rapido gets $55m Series B
Chinese early-stage investor Shunwei Capital Partners has participated in a Series B funding round for Indian motorcycle taxi operator Rapido, drawing comparisons with the growth trajectory of Indonesia’s Go-Jek.
Singapore marketing tech player Mobikon raises $12.5m
Mobikon, a Singapore-based marketing technology provider for the restaurant industry, has received a $12.5 million Series B round led by Binny Bansal, co-founder of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart.
Qiming leads $21m Series C for Chinese lingerie brand
Neiwai, a Chinese lingerie brand, has achieved a valuation of more than RMB1 billion ($142 million) following a RMB150 million Series C round led by Qiming Venture Partners.

