Regions
Cocoon closes second SE Asia fund at $22m
Singapore-based venture capital firm Cocoon Capital has closed its second seed fund, targeting Southeast Asian enterprise technology start-ups, at S$30 million ($22 million).
Korea's Moiin launches $100m VR fund
Korean virtual reality (VR) hardware developer Moiin has announced plans to launch a $100 million venture capital fund in the US focused on immersive gaming companies globally.
New Horizon buys Japan cosmetics player from Ant Capital
Japanese private equity firm New Horizon Capital has acquired 100% of Kagayaku Cosmetics from Ant Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum.
SoftBank Ventures Asia hits $269m first close on global fund
SoftBank Ventures Asia – previously known as SoftBank Ventures Korea – has reached a first close of KRW317.4 billion ($269 million) on a fund that will make early-stage investments globally with a focus on Asia.
Brookfield to lead $3.7b investment in Reliance India telecom unit
A consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management has agreed to invest INR252 billion ($3.66 billion) in the telecommunication tower unit of India’s Reliance Industries. It is said to be the largest foreign investment in an Indian infrastructure asset...
Daiwa units form $30m Myanmar growth fund
The private equity and corporate investment units of Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group have established a $30 million fund that will target growth deals in Myanmar.
Realism on exits essential in Southeast Asia – AVCJ Forum
Exits remain challenging in Southeast Asian private equity, but LPs see a growing willingness among the region’s GPs to take this difficulty into account when planning their investments.
Alibaba leads Series D for China education start-up
Alibaba Group has led a $150 million Series D round of funding for Knowbox, a Chinese education start-up that develops a range of mobile apps aimed at students and teachers.
EBay buys 5.5% stake in India's Paytm Mall
EBay has acquired a 5.5% stake in Paytm Mall, the e-commerce arm of Indian online payments platform Paytm.
European investors back India's MyMoneyMantra
Switzerland-based private equity firm Vaalon Capital and Netherlands investor IFSD BV have provided a combined $15 million to Indian financial and enterprise services provider MyMoneyMantra (MMM).
Ebix to acquire India's Yatra Online for $338m
Indian travel services platform Yatra Online, which has several VC investors, has agreed to an acquisition by software and e-commerce services provider Ebix at an enterprise valuation of $337.8 million.
Fund focus: A91 scouts overlooked VC opportunities
A91 Partners closes its debut fund at $351 million with a plan to explore the untapped depths of the Indian business sector. Consumer, financial services, healthcare, and technology are top of mind
Profile: Traveloka’s Hendrik Susanto
Hendrik Susanto left a career in private equity and venture capital to head Traveloka’s inorganic growth strategy. The new role harnesses investment expertise to build a longer-lasting company
Visa joins Series F for Indonesia’s Go-Jek
Visa has confirmed its participation in an ongoing Series F round for Indonesia-based ride-hailing and online services platform Go-Jek that had raised about $1 billion as of February.
Korea's Orum Therapeutics secures $30m Series B
Orum Therapeutics, a Korean biotechnology developer targeting cancer and rare diseases, has secured a $30 million Series B round from a group including IMM Investment and InterVest.
VinaCapital acquires Singapore fintech player Smartly
Vietnam’s VinaCapital has acquired the operations of Singapore financial technology platform Smartly for an undisclosed sum.
Chinese streaming platform trades flat after $775m US IPO
Chinese game live-streaming platform Douyu International Holdings closed flat on its first day of trading on NASDAQ following a $775 million IPO – the largest US offering by a Chinese company this year.
Investors challenged by governance in SE Asia – AVCJ Forum
Implementing institutional-class governance practices at portfolio companies remains a significant hurdle for Southeast Asia-focused buyout firms, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
Chinese B2B electronic components platforms raises Series A
Sequoia Capital China and Eastern Bell Venture Capital have led a RMB250 million ($36.3 million) Series A round for Lichuang Mall, a Chinese B2B online trading platform that specializes in electronic components.
Singapore’s Near gets $100m from Greater Pacific Capital
Near, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) services provider that supports enterprise analytics, has raised $100 million from UK private equity firm Greater Pacific Capital.
Deal focus: TheAsianparent plans baby business boom
Singapore mother-and-child online services provider theAsianparent is planning an expansion by tracking the fastest birth rates around the region. Fosun is backing the agenda
Gobi, AirAsia unit invest $11m in Malaysia's EasyParcel
Gobi Partners has joined Teleport, the cargo and logistics platform of AirAsia, to commit $10.6 million in Series B funding to Malaysia-based e-commerce logistics and parcel delivery service EasyParcel.
Chinese smart robot maker files for US IPO
Chinese cloud-based robotics developer CloudMinds has filed for an IPO in the US with a view to raising up to $500 million.
Fund focus: Genesis targets China's tech inflection points
With $850 million in dry powder to deploy from its second US dollar-denominated fund, China’s Genesis Capital is targeting Series C and D rounds for start-ups on the cusp of greatness