Regions
Korean GP buys majority stake in Vietnam’s VNPT ePay
UTC Investment, a private equity firm backed by South Korean food producer Daesang Corporation, has finalized its acquisition of a 65% stake in VNPT ePay, the electronic payment arm of Vietnam’s VMG Media.
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Beenext VC fund
Gordian Capital, a Singapore-based asset manager, has confirmed Beenext Capital Management as its second venture capital spin-out this week.
Sequoia-backed Prataap refiles for India IPO
Prataap Snacks, an India-based snacks maker backed by Sequoia Capital, has refiled for an IPO following a change in its shareholding structure.
Western Digital, KKR resubmit bid for Toshiba memory unit
Western Digital and KKR have resubmitted an offer for Toshiba’s Nand flash memory business, despite the Japanese conglomerate last week naming a consortium featuring Bain Capital as the preferred bidder in the JPY2 trillion ($18 billion) deal.
LP interview: Verlinvest
Verlinvest has built strong consumer sector presence in Asia through PE fund commitments and direct deals. Nicholas Cator, an executive director at the family office, says the latter are more important than the former
Deal focus: EMIA rethinks financial services in Cambodia
Emerging Markets Investment Advisors is backing iCare Benefits to develop workable credit schemes for low-income consumers in Southeast Asia through partnerships with employers and product suppliers
IFC invests $60m in Hong Kong's idsMED
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has invested $60 million in Hong Kong-based medical supply chain solutions provider IDS Medical Systems Group (idsMED).
Zombie start-ups: On the same side
Zombie companies present a special challenge for VC investors, whose exit goals may not match the aims of the founders. Successful GPs will try to ensure a positive experience for all parties
PE-backed Chinese logistics player files for US IPO
Best Inc, a Chinese logistics operator backed by Alibaba Group and a string of private equity investors, has filed for a US IPO. No details have been given as to the size and pricing of the offering.
Sequoia leads $18m Series C for India's OneAssist
Sequoia Capital India has led an $18 million Series C funding round for Mumbai-based payment security system company OneAssist.
NewQuest opens India office
Dedicated Asia secondaries investor NewQuest Capital Partners has opened an office in Mumbai, its third in the region. The firm has invested $200 million in India over the last two years and expects its investment pace to increase in the near term.
Legend leads $18m round for Chinese book publisher
China-focused Legend Capital has led a RMB128 million ($18 million) Series A round for Dook Book, a Shanghai-based book publisher that also has digital media and film operations.
KVIC, US tech player launch Korea VC fund
Government-back fund-of-funds Korea Venture Investment Corporation (KVIC) and Applied Ventures, the VC arm of US-listed technology developer Applied Materials, have jointly launched a fund focused on Korea start-ups.
AGIC-led consortium buys US pharma player
AGIC Capital, a private equity firm established in 2015 to focus on China-Europe cross-border investments, has secured its first deal in the US with an agreement to acquire pharmaceutical manufacturer Ritedose Corporation.
Australia's VC-backed GetSwift receives $18m investment
IFM Investors has joined a A$24 million ($18.2 million) investment in GetSwift, an Australia-listed and VC-backed software provider focused on the logistics sector.
Shaw Kwei completes exit from China's YongLe with 4.8x return
Shaw Kwei & Partners has completed its exit from Chinese PVC adhesive tape manufacturer YongLe Tape – securing a gross multiple of 4.8x – as Avery Dennison purchased the asset for a total consideration of $300 million.
Japanese LPs' PE programs slowed by internal resistance - AVCJ Forum
Japanese institutional investors are increasingly interested in private equity, but investment programs are often slow to get off the ground due to an innate aversion to risk among internal stakeholders.
Secondary investors pay $600m for LP stakes in IDG VC funds
IDG Capital has completed a secondary deal worth nearly $600 million, selling down LP positions in at least seven funds managed by affiliates in India and Vietnam as well as by the GP itself in China. These holdings were acquired as part of the purchase...
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Qualgro VC fund
The team behind Qualgro ASEAN, a venture capital fund established under Singapore asset manager Gordian Capital in 2015, has spun out to form an independent VC firm.
China agricultural services platform secures $29m round
Orchid Asia Group and China Growth Capital have jointly led a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round for Dafengshou, a Shenzhen-based agricultural supply chain service online platform. Existing investor Matrix Partners also participated.
Private equity and data centers: Get connected
With demand for outsourced data center services poised to take off in Asia, private equity investors are looking for ways to participate in the growth story
Creditors take control of PE-owned Gerard Lighting
A creditor consortium led by Investec and Bain Capital Credit (BCC) has assumed full control of Gerard Lighting, an Australian light fittings distributor owned by CHAMP Private Equity.
Japan buyout investors must consider post-deal positioning - AVCJ Forum
Private equity deal flow is increasing in Japan’s middle market, but buyers should be mindful that their responsibilities to sellers stretch well into the post-investment period, industry participants told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
China’s JD.com invests $397m in PE-backed Farfetch
China-based JD.com has invested $397 million in UK-based Farfetch, a PE-backed online luxury fashion retailer, as part of a new strategic partnership to pursue growth in China.