Region
CX banks on India ATM opportunity
WITH MORE THAN 90% OF RETAIL transactions carried out in cash, India's growing consumer classes are in need of ATMs. However, there are only around 90,000 machines nationwide, which equates to just 59 per million people.
Lunar takes the bull by the horns
Nothing transforms the fortunes of a start-up quite like a celebrity endorsement. Twenty-five years ago, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, then still a rising star in the Communist Party, visited Yonghong, a family-owned beef jerky producer based in...
China's VIEs: A political football
The investment structure that has underpinned foreign investment in China’s internet and telecom sectors is being questioned by investors and regulators. Is the VIE dead and, if so, what could replace it?
Caspian makes debt breakthrough
After two funds and $120 million invested in equity stakes in small- and medium-sized Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs), Caspian Advisors has decided to change direction. It is launching the country's first pure debt multi-sector fund aimed at the...
JAIC spin-out seeks VC secondaries
Private equity secondary exits have seen a resurgence in Japan in the last two years, with more than $5.3 billion transacted. In only one year previously - 2007 - has deal value surpassed $1.3 billion. For two groups of industry participants, the prospects...
IDG-Accel China Capital II to acquire mobile tech firm MEMSIC
MEMSIC, a NASDAQ-listed micro electromechanical system (MEMS) solutions provider, has agreed to be acquired by IDG-Accel China Capital II and its affiliates for approximately $88.5 million. The vehicle, managed by IDG Capital Partners, invests in consumer...
China PE and mutual funds: Never the twain shall meet
China’s securities regulator has invited domestic PE firms to raise mutual funds, prompting a rival agency to forbid such a move. Regardless, industry participants are uninspired by this opportunity
Aquiline Capital completes acquisition of UK's Equity Insurance Group
Aquiline Capital Partners, a New York-based PE firm focusing on investments in the financial services space, has completed its GBP87 million ($140 million) acquisition of UK motor insurer Equity Insurance Group (EIG) from ASX-listed Insurance Australia...
General Atlantic expands India team
Global PE firm General Atlantic has expanded its investment team in India with several new hires at its Mumbai office. The new hires include Shantanu Rastogi, who will be a principal with the firm, and associates Vijay Venkat and Varun Talukdar.
Motilal Oswal's Ghosh moves on to start own fund
Somak Ghosh, co-chief executive with Motilal Oswal Private Equity Advisors (MOPE), has left the company to set up Contrarian Capital India Partners and establish a new early stage impact investment fund targeting $50 million.
PE lawyer Marcia Ellis rejoins Morrison & Foerster in HK
Marcia Ellis, a former M&A and private equity lawyer at Morrison & Foerster, has rejoined the firm as a corporate partner in the Hong Kong office, to advise clients on debt financing, private equity transactions and cross-border acquisition activities....
TPG Capital hires Morgan Stanley, UBS for UniTrust sale - report
Global buyout firm TPG Capital is to sell Shanghai-based finance and leasing company UniTrust for $800 million.
CDIB Capital finalizes $25m investment in China's Meilele
Taiwan-based CDIB Capital, the PE unit of China Development Financial, has completed a $25 million investment in a Chinese online home furnishings retailer Meilele.
Ropes & Gray recruits new M&A lawyer to HK office
Global law firm Ropes & Gray has just recruited capital markets and M&A lawyer Victoria Lloyd to its Hong Kong office.
Vickers Venture exits Singapore's Asian Food Channel
Singaporean venture firm Vickers Venture Capital has exited its investment in the Asian Food Channel after it was acquired by USA’s Scripps Networks Interactive. The details of the transaction were not disclosed.
SIDBI Venture Capital to invest $9m in defence MSMEs
SIDBI Venture Capital’s India Opportunities Fund will invest INR500 million ($9 million) in equity to support Indian micro, small and medium enterprises involved in manufacturing of defense products.
Hertz buys 20% stake in Warburg Pincus-backed China Auto Rental
Hertz Global Holdings has agreed to buy 20% of Warburg Pincus- backed China Auto Rental (CAR). The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
China's CIC tops overseas investment deals – study
China’s sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation (CIC), was the most active investor for overseas direct investment (ODI) in 2012, according to an index published A Capital, a private equity firm focused on cross-border transactions involving...
Reliance Com in talks to sell fibre optics unit to PE consortium
India's Reliance Communications is in talks with Samena Capital, and other global private equity funds, to sell a stake in Reliance Globalcom, its global communication services business.
TPG, GIC backed Li Ning closes $238m convertible securities issue
Li Ning, the Chinese sports brand backed by the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and TPG Capital, had closed a convertible securities issue worth HK$1.85 billion ($238 million). The open offer was over-subscribed with the company receiving...
Saban Capital opens Singapore office
Saban Capital Group, a Los Angeles - based PE firm which invests in the media and communications sector, has opened a new office in Singapore.
Indonesia's Saratoga Capital in the lead for Bank Bukopin stake - report
Indonesian GP Saratoga Capital is said to be the leading candidate to buy a combined 41.4% stake in Bank Bukopin.
Fenox, IMJ to invest in SE Asian, Japanese start-ups
Silicon Valley's Fenox Venture Capital and Japanese mobile solution provider IMJ Corporation have jointly established IMJ Fenox Pte with a view to investing in mobile, Internet and software technologies in Southeast Asia, Japan and the US.
SingTel Innov8 leads $5m Series A round in China's Yodo1
SingTel Innov8, the VC unit of Singapore's SingTel Group, has led a $5 million round of Series A funding in Chinese smartphone game publisher Yodo1. Original investor Chang You Fund also took part in this latest round.

