Region
Singapore's VisVires launches $150m food tech fund
VisVires New Protein, a Singapore-based VC firm specializing in food technology, has launched its second fund with a target of $150 million. Fund I closed at $40 million in 2016.
China's Allist Pharmaceuticals raises $171m Series A
Shanghai-based drug developer Allist Pharmaceuticals has raised RMB1.2 billion ($171 million) in a Series A round of funding led by Shiyu Capital. Other participants include Loyal Valley Capital and Suzhou Industrial Park Bioventure Investment.
SBI joins $35m Series B for Japan's Pixie Dust
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan’s SBI Holdings, has joined a JPY3.8 billion $35 million Series B round for Pixie Dust Technologies, a local company developing novel uses for ultrasonic waves.
Technology key to Vietnam consumer deals - AVCJ Forum
Technology is a critical factor for any investor looking to participate in the Vietnam consumer story, whether they are backing retail businesses directly or any sector proxies, industry participants told the AVCJ Vietnam Forum.
Genesis starts Southeast Asia venture debt business
Sassoon Investment Corporation, the family office of the Sassoon family, and Indonesian bank CIMB Niaga have launched Genesis Alternative Ventures, a venture debt provider targeting start-ups in Southeast Asia.
Korea's CJ CheilJedang brings Bain into Schwan's deal
Korean consumer conglomerate CJ CheilJedang Corporation has agreed to sell a 27% stake in CJ Foods America – a vehicle established for the acquisition of US frozen foods provider Schwan’s – to Bain Capital for $320 million.
Deal focus: CITIC sees resilience in beauty
CITIC Capital has secured a carve-out of marketing and e-commerce services player UCO Cosmetics. It exploits an overall slowdown in China’s economy but also relative sturdiness in the local beauty industry
Temasek-owned Azalea targets $600m from PE-backed bonds
Temasek Holdings-owned Azalea Asset Management is once again offering Singapore retail investors the opportunity to participate in private equity with plans to raise around $600 million through the sale of bonds backed by LP interests in funds.
LP interview: Natixis
Natixis Investment Managers is leveraging a novel affiliate-manager structure to grow fund exposure in Asia in a sustainable way. Alternatives, and increasingly private equity, are driving much of the progress
Creador invests $18m in India's iValue
Creador has acquired a minority stake in iValue InfoSolutions, an India-based provider of cybersecurity services, for INR1.25 billion ($18 million).
India used car marketplace raises $13m Series A
SAIF Partners and Accel Partners have led a $13.2 million Series A round for Indian online used car marketplace Spinny, with participation by existing investors Blume Ventures and Simile Ventures.
Tencent leads $250m round for Chinese travel platform Mafengwo
Chinese travel platform Mafengwo has raised $250 million in a round of funding led by Tencent Holdings.
Deal focus: Archipelago makes Philippines banking play
Archipelago Capital Partners takes a minority stake in One Network Bank to support its parent's plans to lead the country's rural banking sector
Hong Kong's KaiOS gets $50m Series B
Hong Kong-based smart phone operating system provider KaiOs Technologies has raised a $50 million Series B round led by Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity.
Deal focus: Grofers returns to growth with Series F
Grofers is emerging from a rough patch in its mission to leverage India’s online grocery boom with an overhauled business model and a $200 million Series F round led by SoftBank Vision Fund
Sequoia, MassMutual lead Series B for Singapore's Biofourmis
Sequoia Capital India and MassMutual Ventures have led a $35 million Series B round of funding for Singapore-based Biofourmis, operator of a health analytics platform that tracks how patients are responding to treatment.
Deal focus: Clearing up Southeast Asia's currency chaos
Investors see opportunity in bringing a promising currency exchange-focused fintech model from Europe into Southeast Asia. Singapore-focused YouTrip is the region’s first mover in this niche
Governance standards: A matter of integrity
Traditionally the overlooked, underappreciated or misrepresented facet of ESG, governance is gaining prominence in emerging markets private equity as investors reassess risk exposure
China online education: Passing the test?
Capital has poured into China’s online education sector in recent years, but with losses mounting and valuations called into question, investors are finding that not all business models are created equal
Endiya reaches $40m first close of second India VC fund
Endiya Partners, an early-stage VC investor based in India, has achieved a first close of $40 million for its second fund. The target is $70 million.
TPG to exit India cancer business for $283m
Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), an India-focused healthcare platform owned by TPG Growth, has agreed to sell cancer hospital chain Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI) to US-based radiology player Varian Medical Systems for $283 million.
PE-backed ESR closes Japan logistics fund at $1.8b
ESR, a pan-Asian logistics and fund management platform that was seeded by Warburg Pincus, has closed its latest Japan-focused fund at JPY200 billion ($1.8 billion).
Archipelago closes debut fund at $75m
Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm Archipelago Capital Partners has closed its debut fund at $75 million, and plans to raise a successor vehicle in 2020.
China restaurant industry supplier gets $14m Series A
China-based Zuodashi, which provides digital solutions and food accompaniments to restaurant delivery businesses, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A round led by Hua Gai Capital.