Regions
Online tourism: Ticket to ride
Online tourism is on the rise in emerging Asia and numerous venture-backed businesses are looking to hitch a ride on the consumer growth trend. The key is finding the right niche
J-Star buys ‘fourth hand’ Primagest
Primagest, a firm whose primary business is using optical character recognition (OCR) to turn documents in data, appears every bit the tech-savvy up and comer. However, it has been doing the same thing – in one form or another – for 45 years.
Panasonic unit gets KKR cure
KKR's acquisition of Panasonic Healthcare marks a return to form for the firm after its earlier efforts to acquire Japanese chipmaker Renesas were frustrated by the government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). The deal had raised...
Q&A: The Abraaj Group's Aman Lakhaney
The Abraaj Group’s acquisition of Aureos Capital last year was a massive short cut to a larger Asia presence. Aman Lakhaney, director at The Abraaj Group, explains the firm’s approach to non-BRIC emerging markets
India's Red Fort commits $162m to Lotus Greens residential projects
Real estate-focused Red Fort Capital is to invest INR10 billion ($162.7 million) in various residential projects being developed by Lotus Greens in the national capital region (NCR) around Delhi.
Singapore payment platform Fastacash receives Series A round
Fastacash, a Singapore-based social payments platform, has raised a $3 million in Series A round from Jungle Ventures, Spring Seeds Capital and Hong Kong-based Funding the Future (FTF).
Australia’s Ironbridge completes Bravura take-private
Ironbridge Capital has completed the take-private of Australia-based financial services administrator Bravura Solutions after minority shareholders approved a deal that values the company around A$173 million ($158 million).
Jungle Ventures backs mobile monetization platform Pokkt
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in Pokkt, a mobile platform that helps digital content developers and publishers monetize their user base through an advertiser-funded model. Angel investor Samir Bangara also participated...
Matrix Partners exits China Bona Film to Fosun
Matrix Partners China and other undisclosed pre-IPO shareholders have exited a 6.4% stake in Bona Film Group, a NASDAQ-listed film distributor in China, to Chinese conglomerate Fosun International for $20.8 million.
INCJ, VCs back Japan big data firm Smart Insight
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) is to invest up to JPY1 billion ($10.3 million) in Smart Insight Corp, a big data analysis software developer for the corporate sector. The business has also secured JPY400 million from Energy & Environment...
Nominations for the AVCJ India Awards - final call
Nominations for the 2013 AVCJ India Awards close today. This is the industry's last chance to highlight the leading fundraises, investments, exits, professionals and firms of the last 12 months.
IDG, Temasek-backed mobile game operator eyes $123m HK IPO
Singapore-based mobile game developer I Got Games (IGG), which is backed by IDG Technology Venture Investment and Temasek Holdings, intends to raise as much as HK$950 million ($123 million) through an IPO in Hong Kong.
J-Star ups stake in Primagest
Japanese GP J-Star has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in image processing firm Primagest. The financial details of this second tranche of investment were not disclosed, but a source with direct knowledge of the matter said the mid-market...
Creador to take 20% stake in Malaysia's GHL, back e-pay acquisition
Creador will take a 20% stake in Malaysia-based payment services provider GHL Systems through a private placement of new shares. The capital will in part be used to finance GHL’s proposed acquisition of Australian Securities Exchange-listed e-pay Asia.
VC-backed Value HR sees shares double after $8.5m Japan IPO
VC-backed Value HR, a Japanese human resources benefits service provider, saw its stock more than double in value to JPY4035 ($41.5) on its trading debut in Tokyo on Friday.
Mavcap to launch fund targeting tech-based companies
Malaysia Venture Capital Management (Mavcap) plans to launch a $200 million investment fund platform fund later this year that will back technology-based companies at home and abroad.
Blackstone buys Sydney home retail center - report
The Blackstone Group has reportedly bought the Home HQ North Shore shopping center from Charter Hall Retail REIT for A$72.5 million ($68.35 million).
Canada’s OPTrust opens Sydney office
Canada’s OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) has opened an office in Sydney, to focus on infrastructure and private equity investment across Asia. This is its second base outside Canada.
Macquarie, SBI invest $18m in Ashoka Concessions
Private equity funds jointly managed by State Bank of India and Australia's Macquarie Group have invested INR1.1 billion ($17.9 million) in Ashoka Concessions (ACL), a toll road builder. The funding is the third tranche of a $150 million (INR 8.307 billion...
General Atlantic, India Equity Partners seek action against Fourcee Infrastructure
General Atlantic (GA) and India Equity Partners (IEP) are pursuing legal action against their portfolio company Fourcee Infrastructure Equipments, accusing executives of “extensive forgery and willful deceit.”
VC-backed Forgame raises $206m in HK IPO
Forgame Holdings, a Chinese mobile game developer backed by several VC firms, saw its stocks jump 32.4% to HK$67.50 ($8.7) a share on its first day trading following its $206 million Hong Kong IPO yesterday.
DRC Capital exits Japan's Casa to Ant Capital
DRC Capital has sold Japan's Casa, a rent guarantee provider formerly known as Rento Go, to Ant Capital Partners and the firm's management. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Kyoto University launches $60m venture fund
Japan's Kyoto University has launched its second venture fund, a $60 million vehicle which will invest in start-ups in Japan and the rest of Asia.
Matrix backs hotel reservation site Stayzilla.com
Matrix Partners India has acquired a significant minority stake in Stayzilla.com, a site which allows users to research and reserve hotels at discounted rates in more than 750 Indian cities. The financial details of the deal, in which Matrix was the sole...