Region
NTT Docomo Ventures, Livesense lead $5.5m investment in Japan's Aratana
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the Japanese mobile giant, and internet media firm Livesense have together led a JPY550 million ($5.5 million) investment round for Aratana, a social e-commerce platform developer. Existing VC backers JAFCO,...
GEF invests $12m in India's Rishabh Instruments
Global Environment Fund has invested INR750 million ($11.98 million) in Industrial Control Products maker Rishabh Instruments (RI), through its small and medium-sized enterprises-focused South Asia Clean Energy Fund (SACEF).
Hony still committed to China SOE restructuring, more focused on value creation
Hony Capital has pledged to remain a China-focused investor despite the country’s slowing economic growth and forays by other private equity firms into new markets in order to diversify risk. Hony’s emphasis will be on value creation, particularly in...
A&M launches India transaction advisory practice, hires Vikram Utamsingh
Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), a consultancy specializing in performance improvement and turnarounds, has expanded its India business with the launch of a dedicated transaction advisory practice. The new practice will be led by Vikram Utamsingh, formerly of...
China Private Equity Investment exits AIP Global to Capital VC
China Private Equity Investment Holdings (CPE) has agreed to sell its entire holding of 2.45% in AIP Global, a Hong Kong-based investment holding company that focuses on the financial sector, to Capital VC for HK$15 million ($19 million).
Billabong drops Altamont for Oaktree, Centerbridge rescue
Australian surfwear company Billabong had accepted a refinancing plan from Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners, walking away from a previous deal with a consortium led by Altamont Capital Partners and replacing top management.
Mediaflag moves to acquire J-Star-owned sweets maker Tokachi
Mediaflag - a company which provides distribution support services to consumer goods manufacturers - has offered to acquire a 100% stake in Tokachi, a traditional Japanese sweets maker owned by Japanese mid-market buyout firm J-Star. The financial terms...
Sequoia Capital leads $15m Series C in App Annie
Sequoia Capital has led a $15 million investment in app analytics platform App Annie, with participation from existing investors IDG Capital Partners, Greycroft Partners, e.ventures and Infinity Venture Partners. Tim Lee, partner at Sequoia Capital and...
Helion, Kalaari lead $10m Series B for Simplilearn.com
Helion Venture Partners and existing backer Kalaari Capital have led a $10 million Series B round for professional certification exam preparation provider Simplilearn Solutions.
Profile: AIF Capital's Peter Amour
Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1986, AIF Capital's Peter Amour has witnessed the emergence of China and the ups and downs of Southeast Asia, enjoying some of the opportunities that have come with it
CRCI reaches $180m first close on Fund III
China Renaissance Capital Investment (CRCI) has reached a first close of approximately $180 million on its third growth capital fund. The timing of the close was determined by the GP needing to finalize its first investment out of the new vehicle.
Archer Capital revives interest in NZ's Abano Healthcare
Archer Capital obtained a five-month standstill agreement with shareholders of New Zealand's Abano Healthcare, potentially allowing time for a new takeover bid to come together after its latest effort was rejected earlier this week.
Ancora closes Indonesia fund at $128m
Indonesia-focused GP Ancora Capital has made a final close on its second fund at $128 million. The vehicle is currently 40% deployed, having made three investments since its launch in early 2011.
Henry Kravis on Asia
KKR co-founder Henry Kravis recently briefed a group of reporters on his firm's investment strategy in Asia, offering glimpses of a business that is rooted in private equity yet stretches well beyond it.
India's IDFC makes $644m first close on second infra fund
IDFC Alternatives has reached a $644 million first close on its second core infrastructure fund after just eight months in the market, making it one of the largest Indian fundraises in recent times. India Infrastructure Fund II (IIF2) has a full target...
Warburg Pincus invests in China health center Amcare
Warburg Pincus has invested in Beijing-based Amcare Women's & Children's Hospital. The transaction size was not disclosed.
Investors book passage with Tuniu
Most Travel e-commerce companies in China are essentially search engines that provide information on hotel and flight bookings plus a payment mechanism. The team at Tuniu opted for a different tack, focusing specifically on packaged tourism, and they...
ClearVue Partners backs $5m round for China online grocery store
ClearVue Partners has led a $5 million Series A round of funding in Shanghai-based online grocery store Fields.
MOPE raises $155m India growth fund
Motilal Oswal Private Equity (MOP) opted for more of the same when raising its second growth capital vehicle - India Business Excellence Fund (IBEF) II - remaining focused on domestic consumption, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and infrastructure...
KKR India NBFC raises $100m from US pension fund - report
KKR India Financial Services, the global private equity firm's non-banking financial company (NBFC), has reportedly raised $100 million from The Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Ironbridge's creative liquidity solution
Stapled secondaries and GP restructurings have become common parlance as Asia's private equity investors grapple with a challenging fundraising environment, even though talk still overshadows action. In each case, new investors come in to replace old,...
Hong Kong start-ups: The Silicon Harbour
Hong Kong is touting itself as Asia's next great tech start-up hub. It must first address expensive real estate, the role of government as facilitator, and strategic positioning vis-à-vis mainland China
PE-backed Australia pub fund targets IPO - report
Australian Pub Fund, which is backed by M.H. Carnegie & Co. and Australian superannuation fund Sunsuper, is said to planning an IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Niche funds: Finding an angle
China has seen a proliferation of niche funds in recent years as GPs try to stand out from the crowd with differentiated strategies. Are investors – institutions, individuals or governments – buying into the story?