Region
Chinese tea shop operator raises $29m
Lelecha, which operates around 35 milk tea stores across China, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Pre-Series A round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
Singapore crypto platform hits $1b valuation with Series C
Liquid.com, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency trading platform, has passed the $1 billion valuation mark with the first close of a Series C round led by IDG Capital.
Capital Today leads round for Chinese convenience store chain
China-based convenience store chain operator Linji has raised $30 million in Series B funding led by Capital Today China Group, with participation from existing investor Source Code Capital.
Advantage to exit Japanese outdoor sports equipment retailer
Advantage Partners has agreed to sell Ishii Sports, a Tokyo-based outdoor sports equipment retailer it acquired three years ago, to local consumer electronics store operator Yodobashi Holdings.
NIIF, PSP form $2b India toll road investment platform
The Indian government-backed National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has teamed up with Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) to launch a platform that will invest up to $2 billion in local toll road projects.
Chinese healthcare data management platform raises $74m
Miaojiankang, a China-based company that provides health data tracking, management, and analysis services through an online platform, has raised RMB500 million ($74 million) in a Series C round from China Pacific Insurance and Xiran Capital.
Profile: Openspace Ventures' Hian Goh
Hian Goh knows better than most Southeast Asian VC investors the cultural barriers that discourage the region’s entrepreneurs. With Openspace Ventures he aims to provide start-ups the support they need
China-Belarus fund backs Series C for chatbot specialist
The China-Belarus Industrial Investment Fund, an investment vehicle under China Merchants Group, has led a $41 million Series C round of funding for Shenzhen-based Zhuiyi Technology, an artificial intelligence start-up specializing in chatbots.
DSG hits $30m first close on third consumer fund
DSG Partners Asia, which targets early-stage consumer opportunities in India and Southeast Asia, has reached a first close of $30 million on its third fund.
Samara invests in Indian personal care space
Samara Capital has purchased a 50% stake in Indian cosmetics maker Blue Heaven Cosmetics for an undisclosed amount, its second investment in the personal care segment in as many weeks.
China success requires trusted partners – Lip-Bu Tan
Lip-Bu Tan, founder of Walden International, advised delegates at Intel Capital’s global summit to prioritize trust in local partners when considering investments in China.
Actis-backed Sprng acquires India solar portfolio
Sprng Energy, an Indian renewable energy platform backed by Actis Capital, has acquired a 194 megawatt portfolio of operating solar power assets from SP Infra, the infrastructure investment arm of Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
China's foreign investment law: A level playing field?
China’s new foreign investment law appears to make life easier for overseas investors in some areas, but uncertainty remains in others. Industry participants are waiting for more details to emerge in 2020
Deal focus: China's data-enabled Workday
By applying artificial intelligence to human resources management, China's IfChange claims to make recruitment and retention more efficient. The company is now pushing to expand its customer base and product coverage
Asia's lower-tier cities: New horizons
PE and VC players are slowly discovering the investment and business expansion opportunities in the lower-tier cities of developing Asia. Risk-reward calculations are becoming more complex in the process
Longreach agrees Hong Kong medical devices buyout
The Longreach Group has announced the third investment from its recently closed third mid-market buyout fund, with an agreement to acquire contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Quasar Engineering.
Source Code leads round for China machinery rental business
China-based Zhongneng United, which rents out aerial work platforms that provide temporary access to inaccessible areas, has raised $50 million in Series B funding led by Source Code Capital.
Chinese industrial robotics player Emergen raises $30m
Qiming Venture Partners has led a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series B round for Emergen, a Chinese company that designs intelligent operating systems for factories and produces industrial robots.
Everstone exits India's Rubicon to General Atlantic
General Atlantic has acquired Indian pharmaceutical developer Rubicon Research. Everstone Group, the company's controlling shareholder, will realize a 4.5x return on the deal.
PAG appoints KKR dealmaker as India PE head
PAG has hired Nikhil Srivastava from KKR to lead its India private equity operations as the firm looks to expand its coverage of the country.
Intel Capital backs two Chinese AI companies
Intel Capital has invested two Chinese start-ups as part of a $117 million commitment across 14 artificial intelligence (AI) companies globally.
EQT backs Southeast Asia healthcare benefits administrator
EQT has made an investment of undisclosed size in MHC Asia, a Southeast Asia-based healthcare benefits administrator that helps corporate clients customize health and wellness offerings.
General Atlantic, Värde invest $267m in India's PNB
General Atlantic and Värde Partners have invested INR18.5 billion ($267 million) in PNB Housing Finance, the publicly listed mortgage subsidiary of India’s Punjab National Bank (PNB).
Gobi launches $20m Pakistan-focused fund
Gobi Partners has launched a $20 million fund with Fatima Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Pakistani conglomerate Fatima Group, to tap opportunities in the country.