Region
China cell therapy developer raises $75m
Iaso Biotherapeutics, a Chinese cell therapy developer focusing on oncology treatments, has raised nearly CNY 500m (USD 75m) in an extended Series C round.
China's Riverhead Capital closes $295m renminbi fund
China-based Riverhead Capital, the private equity arm of Sunshine Insurance Group, has closed a renminbi-denominated fund with CNY 2bn (USD 295m) in commitments.
India's PhonePe raises $350m at $12b valuation
General Atlantic has invested USD 350m – at a pre-money valuation of USD 12bn – in PhonePe, a digital payments platform that spun out from Indian e-commerce marketplace Flipkart.
B Capital raises $2.1bn for latest global VC funds
US and Singapore-headquartered VC firm B Capital has closed its third series of funds with USD 2.1bn in commitments. The mandate is global with a strong emphasis on Asia.
India's 360 One buys Mumbai Angels, launches two funds
Bain Capital-backed 360 One, which rebranded from IIFL Wealth & Asset Management last November, has acquired a 91% stake in Mumbai Angels as the seed investor launches two new funds.
Deal focus: Secondary investors support Capital Square, Basil merger
Capital Square Partners and Basil Technology Partners have joined forces, with HarbourVest Partners, NewQuest Capital Partners, and Committed Advisors backing a USD 700m fund comprising Asia IT services investments from both GPs
China's Yunqi seeks $300m for fourth VC fund
Yunqi Partners, which makes early-stage investments in China’s enterprise software and services space, is targeting USD 300m for its fourth US dollar-denominated fund.
Reefknot leads Series A for Singapore logistics player Locad
Singapore-based logistics service provider Locad has raised USD 11m in Series A funding led by Reefknot Investments, which is supported by Temasek Holdings and supply chain giant Kuehne + Nagel.
Avatar Growth leads Series C for India's Mad Street Den
Avatar Growth Capital, a private equity firm specialising in bringing Indian tech to global markets, has led a USD 30m Series C round for US and India-based retail services player Mad Street Den.
TR exits last China asset acquired through Cassia restructuring
TR Capital has sold China-focused luxury streetwear brand Evisu United – one of two assets it acquired through fund restructuring for Cassia Investments – through a sale to an unnamed financial sponsor. The size of the deal was not disclosed.
Bain & Co appoints new Asia PE practice co-head
Bain & Company has named Sebastien Lamy, who has been with the firm for over 20 years and most recently focused on Asia infrastructure investment, as co-head of its regional private equity practice.
India's Lighthouse seeks $425m for Fund IV, gets NIIF commitment
Lighthouse Funds is targeting INR 35bn (USD 425m) for its fourth India fund and has signed up the country’s National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) as an anchor LP.
Singapore's Lighthouse Canton hits first close on venture debt fund
Singapore Lighthouse Canton has reached a first close of USD 20m on its first venture debt fund, which will target Southeast Asia and India. The target is USD 100m.
ADB backs Quadria's third health fund
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed USD 25m to the third fund from Singapore-based Quadria Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity firm.
Asia GPs see reversion to norm on deal flow, valuations
Asia-focused buyout managers pointed to a return to a version of normality – with an anticipated upturn in investment and exits – in 2023 at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia forum.
4Q analysis: Who wants China?
Pan-regional GPs get traction by highlighting their Asia ex-China credentials; buyouts rebound as growth capital – and China – continue to recede; India impresses with bumper exit proceeds
Deal focus: L Catterton hitches a ride with Tenways
Electric bicycle brand Tenways has built its business on European design capabilities and Asian manufacturing smarts. L Catterton is backing the two-year-old company to become a global leader
Profile: Elevation Equity Partners' Gordon Cho
Negotiating a spinout while troubled by health issues tested Gordon Cho’s faith and resilience. He feels stronger for the experience and is now looking to make his mark on Korea’s middle market
Deal focus: VIG secures rare airline turnaround opportunity
VIG Partners stepped into the breach when Eastar Jet’s previous white knight bailed. It agreed to recapitalise the airline on obtaining assurances that key licenses and routes remain in place
Labour shortages: Tales from north and south
Australia and Japan are facing extreme labour shortages. In the former, GPs can survive on policy support and emergency manoeuvres. In the latter, fundamental strategy shifts are a more immediate imperative
China satellite developer Minospace raises $60m
Beijing-based satellite developer Minospace has raised nearly CNY400m (USD 59.6m) across a Series B round and a Series B extension.
Southeast Asia, China GPs bullish on exits in 2023
Investors targeting Southeast Asia and China told the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Privat Equity Association's (HKVCA) Asia forum that they were encouraged by liquidity events in 2022 and expect to see more exit opportunities this year.
Japan rocket start-up Interstellar gets $29m Series D
Interstellar Technologies, which in 2017 became the first Japanese company to launch a privately developed space rocket and is currently working on solutions for sending small satellites into orbit, has raised JPY 3.8bn (USD 29.6m) in Series D funding....