Region
Japan messaging app Line launches $42m investment fund
Japanese messaging app developer Line Corporation has launched a JPY5 billion ($42 million) investment fund to invest in start-ups.
Australian pension funds most aggressive on alternatives – study
Australia’s superannuation funds have been the most aggressive of the major global pension players in developing alternatives exposure over the last 10 years, according a new study.
UK's Amadeus picks Bhavani Rana to lead new India office
UK tech-focused VC firm Amadeus Capital Partners hired Intel Capital's Bhavanipratap (Bhavani) Rana as partner and head of India operations as it opens a new office in Bangalore.
Lightbox leads $20m round for India QSR chain
Lightbox Ventures has led a $20 million Series B round of funding for Faaso's Food Service, a tech-enabled quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain based in India.
India mobile recharge platform FreeCharge raises $80m
Two hedge funds, San Francisco-based Valiant Capital Management and Hong Kong’s Tybourne Capital Management, have participated in an $80 million Series C round for Indian mobile top-up platform FreeCharge.
Alibaba to invest $590m in China smart phone maker Meizu
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest $590 million for a minority stake in Meizu Technology, a Chinese smart-phone maker.
Renren backs China used car platform Cheyipai
Chinese social networking platform Renren has led $110 million Series D round of funding for Cheyipai, a Chinese second-hand car trading platform.
Sequoia leads $60m round for China construction site
Sequoia Capital has led a $60 million funding round for Wangzhu Corporation, an online construction services provider controlled by Chinese property developer Greentown Group.
Rocket Internet buys up Asia food delivery platforms
Online food delivery provider Foodpanda has acquired peers in seven Asian markets and become part of a global platform created by its parent, Rocket Internet.
Japan's GPIF appoints new head of investment strategy
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has named Atsushi Ikari as director general of its investment strategy department, replacing Tokihiko Shimizu.
Japanese mobile games developer MyNet raises $6.2m
MyNet, a Japanese mobile games developer, has raised JPY730 million ($6.2 million) from a slew of investors including B Dash Ventures, SMBC Venture Capital, Shinsei Corporate Investment, and Sumitomo Mitsui Bank.
VC-backed WoWo sets terms for $66m NASDAQ IPO
Chinese entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform WoWo – which started out as operator of group-buying site 55tuan – plans to raise up to $66 million through its IPO on NASDAQ.
Alipay confirms investment in India's VC-backed One97
Ant Financial Service Group, Alibaba Group’s online financial service affiliate, has agreed to acquire a 25% stake in Indian VC-backed mobile internet services provider One97 Communication.
CDIB invests $55m across two China deals
CDIB Capital, a private equity arm of Taiwan's China Development Financial, has invested a total of $55 million in two Chinese companies.
China's Heaven-Sent Capital to buy South African miner
Heaven-Sent Capital Management, a Chinese PE firm, has agreed to pay ZAR637 billion ($56 million) for South African gold producer Village Main Reef and plans to take the business private.
Chinese strategic buys UK subsea vehicle business from PE
CSR Corporation, best known as China’s largest manufacturer of metro cars, has agreed to buy UK-based subsea vehicle maker Specialist Machine Developments (SMD) from Inflexion Private Equity for an enterprise valuation of GBP120 million ($184 million)....
Fidelity commits $10m to Greenlight Planet
Fidelity Growth Partners India has led a $10 million round of funding for Greenlight Planet, a US-based manufacturer of solar-powered lanterns for use in off-grid homes in developing countries.
DBS launches Singapore venture debt program
DBS Bank has launched a venture debt program to support Singapore start-ups, presenting a capital-raising channel that involves little or no dilution of equity.
Australia's Future Fund ups PE allocation to 9.5%
Australia’s Future Fund increased its private equity allocation from 7.7% to 9.5% over the course of 2014 as total assets under management reached A$109 billion ($85 billion). The return for the 12 months ended December was 13.2%.
GGV leads $50m round for China credit card management app
GGV Capital has led a $50 million Series B round of funding for 51Zhangdan, a Chinese mobile app that helps manage credit card spending.
Laser tech firm, Guosen plan China robotics fund
Guosen H&S Investment, a PE investment arm of state-owned Guosen Securities, has teamed up with Shenzhen-based Han’s Laser Technology to form a RMB1 billion ($160 million) industry fund that will target robotic projects.
Cowin Capital exits China department store via trade sale
Shenzhen Cowin Capital is set to make a full exit from Guangxi Nancheng Department Store as Better Life Commercial Chain Share won approval to buy its rival.
CPPIB, QIC back $2.3b Sydney infrastructure project
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) are part of a consortium alongside toll road operator Transurban Group that is backing Sydney’s A$2.9 billion ($2.3 billion) NorthConnex tunnel project.
Australia's DesignCrowd wins backing from AirTree Ventures
DesignCrowd, an Australia-based crowdsourcing platform used to source designs from hundreds of freelance designers, has received A$6 million ($4.6 million) in a Series B funding round led by AirTree Ventures.