South Asia
Xander-backed KidZania to invest $75m in India theme parks
An Indian franchisee of KidZania, a kids indoor theme park chain backed by Xander Group, is looking to open as many a five theme parks in the country, investing up to $75 million.
IDFC Alternatives buys stake in India commodities exchange
IDFC Alternatives has acquired a 5% stake in National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), India’s largest agricultural commodity derivatives exchange, from Jaypee Financial Services for INR456 million ($7.3 million).
Exhilway to invest $1b in India via Global Opportunities Fund
Exhilway Global, a US-based hedge fund and emerging markets private equity GP, is looking to invest $1 billion in India as it prepares to launch its Exhilway Global Opportunities Fund (EGO) next month - targeting $2 billion.
Elephant Capital in Mahindra Forgings partial exit
Elephant Capital has sold nearly two-thirds of its 2.45% stake in Mahindra Forgings, an Indian forging manufacturer, to Spain's auto parts supplier CIE Automotive for INR141 million ($2.3 million).
VC fundraising: Where angels flock
Venture capital fundraising has become difficult for all but the select few in Asia as LPs concentrate their resources on established names. Where will replacement investors come from?
Five trends worth watching
When we look back at 2013 it will probably be described as a slow year for Asian private equity. Statistics on all major PE activities in the region have fallen substantially.
Velti sells mobile marketing businesses to GSO Capital Partners
Mobile marketing and advertising technology provider Velti is to sell its Air2Web India, UK-based Mobile Interactive Group and Velti DR and US-based businesses to GSO Capital Partners, the credit division of Blackstone.
Darby exits India's Symbiotec Pharmalab, Actis ups stake
Darby Private Equity, the PE arm of Franklin Templeton Investments, has exited its investment in Symbiotec Pharmalab to Actis. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Matrix provides Series A for Shotformats Digital Works
Matrix Partners India has provided a Series A round of funding for Shotformats Digital Works, a distribution and digital entertainment company. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Sequoia leads $16m investment in Cloudnine hospital chain
Sequoia Capital has led INR1 billion ($16.3 million) investment into Bangalore-based infant and maternity care hospital chain Cloudnine. Existing investor Matrix Partners also participated in the round.
CLSA’s cleantech fund hires water-focused operating partner
CLSA Capital Partners has appointed Dr. Richard Woodling, previously director of global research and development at Siemens’ water R&D center in Singapore, as an operating partner in the Clean Resources Asia Growth Fund (CRAGF).
IFC to back Gaja Capital's $250m India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to investment $25 million in Gaja Capital Partners’ second fund, which has an overall target of $250 million.
Asia real assets: Need returns, will travel
Interest in Asian real assets has surged as investors look to higher growth emerging markets for income and upside. Opportunities run from real estate to infrastructure, and in some cases offer a bit of both
KKR invests $89m in Apollo Hospitals' parent
KKR has made an INR5.5 billion ($89.74 million) investment in PCR Investments, the holding company of India’s Apollo Hospitals group.
LotusPool targets $125m India fund, IFC to invest
LotusPool Capital, a private equity firm set up by executives from Actis and ePlanet Capital, has received a $15 million commitment from International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its debut fund. The vehicle, which has a target of $125 million, will...
Indian regulator issues guidelines for SMEs to list without IPO
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued guidelines allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to list without an IPO, offering new fundraising and exit options for start-ups.
Peepul Capital leads $30m Series E round for Komli Media
Digital advertising technology platform Komli Media has raised $30 million from new investor Peepul Capital. Existing investors Norwest Venture Partners, Nexus Venture Partners, Helion Venture Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson also participated in...
Tata Capital buys stakes in Tata Sky, Mitra Biotech
Tata Capital’s offshore Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF) has acquired a 5% stake in direct-to-home (DTH) TV provider Tata Sky, while VC fund Tata Capital Innovations has backed cancer care company Mitra Biotech.
SAIF-backed HomeShop18 raises $14m round
Multimedia retailer HomeShop18 has raised another $14 million in funding from existing investors - Korea’s GS Home Shopping (GS), hedge fund OCP Asia and parent company Network18. SAIF Partners invested $26 million in 2008 for over 25% of the company.
Actis invests $48m in Indian pharma company
Actis has invested $48 million for a significant minority stake in Symbiotec Pharmalab, an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturer.
Intel Capital unveils seven new Asia investments
Intel Capital, a corporate VC arm of chipmaker Intel Corporation, has invested in seven Asia-based companies as part of a batch of 16 global commitments totaling $65 million. The Asian firms, coming from China, India, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, account...
India e-commerce: Sink or swim
India’s e-commerce sector is in the midst of consolidation. VC money continues to flow to the larger players but even they are examining their business models in a climate of higher operating costs
Helion, Blumberg invest $1.5m in India's Mygola for US expansion
Mygola.com, an Indian online travel planning start-up, has raised a $1.5 million Series A round led by Helion Venture Partners and including existing backer Blumberg Capital. The funding will be used to support the company's US expansion plans.
Silver Lake, Nexus invest in Indian commodity trading platform
Silver Lake Kraftwerk has taken a minority stake in Bangalore-based Eka Software Solutions, a commodity trading and risk management software provider. Existing investor Nexus Venture Partners also participated in the funding round.