Region
Blackstone backs Australia, US clean commodities platform
The Blackstone Group has led a USD 400m investment in Xpansiv, an Australia and US-based marketplace for trading clean commodities such as carbon offsets, renewable energy credits (RECs), and low-carbon fuels.
Australian start-up wins backing for spider venom drug
Infensa Bioscience, a newly established Brisbane-based drug developer, has raised AUD 23m (USD 15.6m) in funding to support the licensing of a nascent treatment that uses spider venom to mitigate heart attacks and strokes.
Profile: MSA Capital's Jenny Zeng
Having participated in Chinese private equity as GP, LP, advisor, and industry association executive, Jenny Zeng has clear ideas as to what makes a good founder. These are being put into practice at MSA Capital
Deal focus: Carlyle targets consumerism in ceramics
The Carlyle Group, like many investors, sees premiumisation as a natural outcome of the expansion of India’s middle class. It could be the first to test this thesis in the local building materials industry
Deal focus: India's Shubham sees opening to accelerate
Shubham believes its long-curated datasets and institutional memory differentiate it from a growing pack of low-income housing lenders. Global impact investors appear convinced
Deal focus: CDH plays Asia wellness card
CDH Investments turned The Better Health Company from a New Zealand-only player into a brand with regional recognition. COVID-19 proved a minor obstacle to an ultimately successful trade sale
Australia tech: Valuation conundrum
Valuation adjustments and down rounds are expected to proliferate in Australia’s technology sector in the next 12 months. Investors are busy scrutinising business models for signs of vulnerability
Deal focus: Novel angle on mobile adoption gains traction
Cashify is leveraging and propelling India’s mobile penetration narrative at the most fundamental level. Adding tech to the secondhand smart phone space has allowed it to create a first-of-its-kind brand
Legend leads $150m Series E for China CRO ClinChoice
US and China-based clinical contract research organization (CRO) company ClinChoice has raised a USD 150m Series E round led by Legend Capital.
Singapore blockchain player Rubix raises $100m
Singapore-based crypto transaction infrastructure provider Rubix has raised USD 100m from US-based LDA Capital to transition into a more web3-oriented and “green blockchain” model.
PAG launches Asia renewables platform
PAG plans to commit more than USD 1bn to renewables over the next several years with the launch of a platform dedicated to the development, construction, and operation of projects in Asia.
Sequoia raises $8.8b for China funds
Sequoia Capital has hit the hard cap on each of the four funds in its latest China vintage, accumulating USD 8.8bn for deployment in seed through late-growth rounds.
China IC software player raises $81m
Semi-Tech, a China-based semiconductor manufacturing software provider, has raised CNY 540m (USD 81m) across two rounds - the second extended tranche of a Series A and a Series B.
Sequoia, Dayone back China solid state battery developer
China-based Enpower Greentech, which claims to be a pioneer in next-generation all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), has raised more than USD 20m in an extended Series A round led by Sequoia Capital China and Dayone Capital.
BII names new India head
British International Investment (BII), a UK development finance institution formerly known as CDC Group, has named 20-year private equity veteran Manav Bansal as its head of India.
India start-up financier GetVantage raises $36m
GetVantage, a provider of revenue-based financing to Indian start-ups, has secured USD 36m in funding led by Varanium Nexgen Fintech Fund, DMI Sparkle Fund, Chiratae Ventures, and Dream Incubator Japan.
Arpwood leads acquisition of India's Sterling Hospitals
Indian private equity firm Arpwood Capital has led the acquisition of Sterling Addlife India, operator of the Sterling Hospitals chain, for an undisclosed sum.
Baring Asia exits Cath Kidston to UK turnaround investor
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has exited Cath Kidston, a UK lifestyle retailer that underwent a restructuring during the initial phase of COVID-19, to turnaround investor Hilco Capital.
Joy sets modest target for China VC fund - update
Beijing-based Joy Capital has set a lower target for its latest US dollar-denominated fund than in the previous vintage and decided against raising a second accompanying growth vehicle.
Tough funding terms can hinder start-up growth - forum
Imposing punitive terms on founders in response to governance concerns can prove counterproductive to long-term growth as start-ups move through funding rounds and stipulations intensify, a Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SVCA)...
India affordable housing player raises $112m
Indian lower-income mortgage lender Shubham has raised USD 112m led by British International Investment (BII). It facilitates exits for Elevar Equity and Motilal Oswal Private Equity (MOPE).
Singapore-based Timothy Zee leaves PAG
Timothy Zee, a Singapore-based managing director with PAG whose primary responsibilities included deal sourcing and business development, has left the firm after 10 years.
Bertelsmann to invest $500m in India
Bertelsmann India Investments has earmarked USD 500m, provided by its eponymous German parent, for investment in local start-ups. The VC unit’s total deployment since its launch in 2013 is USD 285m.