Region
Chinese AI-driven search engine Tigerobo raises $33m
Tigerobo, an artificial intelligence-driven financial information search engine, has raised $33 million in Series A funding from PAC, CreditEase New Finance Industry Fund and existing investor Gaorong Capital.
Omidyar spins out fintech arm as Flourish Ventures
Omidyar Network, a global impact investment firm launched by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar that is an active investor in Asia, has spun out its financial technology division into a new VC firm called Flourish Ventures.
Baidu Capital leads $466m Series C for China's WM Motor
WM Motor Technology, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has raised RMB3 billion ($466 million) in a Series C round of funding led by existing investor Baidu Capital.
Australian LPs struggle to recruit PE talent - AVCJ Forum
Recruitment is the biggest challenge for Australian institutional investors as they look to deepen their participation in private equity, senior executives told the AVCJ Australia & New Zealand Forum.
Bain raises tender offer price for Japan's Kosaido
Bain Capital Private Equity has sweetened a tender offer initiated in January for Japan-listed printing and IT services provider Kosaido. The revised bid values the company at about JPY17.4 billion ($157 million).
Southeast Asia tech: Strategic incursions
Strategic investors are jockeying for position in Southeast Asia's blossoming technology space, hoping to gain a foothold with local start-ups before the market reaches a saturation point
GIC to invest $713m in India's Bharti Airtel
Singapore’s GIC Private has agreed to invest INR50 billion ($713 million) in India-based telecommunications provider Bharti Airtel.
China's MSA reaches $200m first close on second VC fund
MagicStone Alternative Investments (MSA) has reached a first close of $200 million on its second venture capital fund, which will focus on technology companies in China.
VC-backed internet celebrity incubator files for US listing
Ruhan, an internet celebrity incubator backed by Legend Capital that is said to be the largest business of its kind by revenue in China, has filed to list on NASDAQ.
Quona leads $12.8m round for India's SMEcorner
Quona Capital has led a INR900 million ($12.8 million) investment in Indian microlending platform operator SMECorner.
LPs question fees on long-dated PE funds – AVCJ Forum
Funds that are structured to hold assets for extended periods make sense – given the increasing number of companies that want to delay going public or avoid it altogether – but fees remain an issue, institutional investors told the AVCJ Australia & New...
Deal focus: 90 Seconds simplifies complex video variables
Singapore-based 90 Seconds raises $20 million to expand its online video production networking marketplace
Deal focus: Google offers AI expertise to Elsa
Google brings technological expertise as well as financial backing to its investment in Vietnam-based English education provider Elsa
SoftBank Vision Fund invests $1.5b in SE Asia's Grab
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and online-to-offline (O2O) services platform Grab has secured a $1.46 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund. The commitment brings the capital raised in its ongoing Series H to over $4.5 billion.
Carlyle, Fosun join $415m round for India's Delhivery
The Carlyle Group and Fosun International have joined a INR29 billion ($415 million) Series F round for Indian e-commerce logistics services provider Delhivery led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
China cross-border logistics provider raises $104m
Fujian Zongteng Network, a provider of overseas storage and transportation services for Chinese e-commerce players, has raised a RMB700 million ($104 million) round led by GLP and Cathay Capital.
500 Startups Japan rebrands, launches $45m fund
The Japan-based team of 500 Startups has spun out a separate firm called Coral Capital and announced a debut fund with about $45 million in commitments.
HarbourVest promotes Minjin Chung to managing director
HarbourVest Partners has promoted Minjin Chung (pictured), a principal based in Korea, to the level of managing director with responsibility for North Asia.
Australian LPs strengthen GP ties through co-investment - AVCJ Forum
Australian LPs want to establish deep relationships with portfolio GPs – where they can play an additive role in the investment management process – and see co-investment as one of the best ways of achieving this.
Australia's Future Fund recruits Alicia Gregory as PE head
Australia’s Future Fund has appointed Alicia Gregory as its new head of private equity. She currently occupies the same position at MLC, operator of the country’s largest retail superannuation fund.
Deal focus: Patience pays off for True North
True North realizes a two-year goal with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Indian health insurance provider Max Bupa
LP interview: CreditEase Wealth Management
Leveraging the online and offline infrastructure of its parent’s P2P lending platform, CreditEase Wealth Management has built a channel for Chinese high net worth money to enter private equity
Deal focus: Lalamove brings the Uber effect to logistics
Hong Kong-based online logistics platform Lalamove raises a $300 million Series D round to pursue expansion in Southeast Asia and India
CDPQ to invest $255m in Edelweiss' India NBFC
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) has agreed to invest INR18 billion ($255 million) in ECL Finance, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) owned by India’s Edelweiss Group.