South Asia
China's Sailing exits as US GP backs Maldives resort chain
Chinese cross-border private equity firm Sailing Capital has exited its position in Soneva, a Thailand-based luxury hotel operator known for its Maldives resorts, following the sale of a significant minority stake to US-based KSL Capital Partners.
Accel closes sixth India VC fund at $550m
Accel Partners has closed its sixth early-stage India venture capital fund with $550 million in commitments.
India leveraged finance: Debt delivered
The greater availability of control deals in India is creating opportunities for leveraged lenders as they become more comfortable with the complexities of onshore-offshore capital movements
Everstone names Alok Oberoi as executive chairman
India and Singapore-based Everstone Group has named Alok Oberoi (pictured), a former executive at Goldman Sachs, as executive chairman, effective from 2020.
India middle market: Polarization point
Increased deal flow towards the top end of India’s private equity market is stretching the capacity of mid-tier local managers. What are the implications for co-investment and fund size?
TPG joins round for India’s Ess Kay Fincorp
TPG Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, and Evolvence India have jointly led a $33 million investment in Indian non-banking finance company Ess Kay Fincorp.
India start-ups: Land of the giants
Indian investors are savoring a rapid proliferation in billion-dollar technology start-ups, but as the unicorn heap gets bigger, an almost unrecognizable economy will pose new challenges
India's Paytm raises $1b
Indian mobile payment and e-commerce platform Paytm has raised a $1 billion Series G round led by T Rowe Price.
Carlyle makes partial exit from India's SBI Life
The Carlyle Group has made a partial exit from India-listed life insurance company SBI Life, selling one-third of its stake for approximately INR28.2 billion ($392 million).
Warburg Pincus, Bessemer invest India's Perfios
Warburg Pincus and Bessemer Venture Partners have led a $50 million Series B round for Indian financial technology provider Perfios.
Advent buys Indian biopharma player
Advent International has agreed to acquire a controlling position in Bharat Serums and Vaccines, an Indian biopharmaceuticals supplier focused on the women’s health segment.
Norwest raises $2b for latest global VC fund
Norwest Venture Partners, a US-headquartered investor with a strong presence in India, has closed its latest global VC fund at $2 billion. It is the firm’s largest vehicle to date.
Blackstone commits $244m to India's Future Lifestyle Fashions
The Blackstone Group has agreed to invest INR17.5 billion ($244 million) in India-listed clothing retailer Future Lifestyle Fashions (FLF).
India’s Sanaka Capital invests $44m in Edelweiss
Sanaka Capital, an Indian private equity firm established by Shankar Narayanan, formerly co-head of The Carlyle Group's Asia growth team, has agreed to invest $44 million in local financial conglomerate Edelweiss.
PAG, Centurium win firm of the year prizes at AVCJ Awards
PAG Asia Capital and Centurium Capital secured the two firm of the year prizes at the 2019 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, while Renuka Ramnath of India’s Multiples Alternative Asset Management won the AVCJ Special Achievement Award.
TPG leads $32m round for India bank
TPG Capital has led a INR2.2 billion ($32 million) funding round for India's Jana Small Finance Bank, which focuses on financial inclusion through digital services.
Indian Angel Network closes VC fund at $53m
Indian Angel Network (IAN) has closed its first venture capital fund with INR3.7 billion ($53 million) in commitments. The target was INR3.5 billion.
ESG in Asia: Maturing perspectives
Asian investors are growing more confident in their approaches to environmental, social, and governance issues, but policies must be flexible enough to handle unforeseen complications
PE & QSR: Going greenfield in India
Localization was the key for Everstone Group when rolling out Burger King in an India market that is both price-sensitive and not known for its appreciation of beef
PE & QSR: Ambition on a bun
Many private equity investors think they can make a fast buck from fast dining, but rolling out a Western-style brand in Asia requires discipline on valuation and competence in execution
Everstone seeks listing for Burger King India
Everstone Capital, which set up the Indian franchise of US fast food giant Burger King in 2013, has filed to list the company on the domestic markets.
Pakistan’s Airlift raises $12m Series A
Pakistan’s Airlift, a bus-hailing app, has raised a $12 million Series A round led by US-based First Round Capital. It is being called the largest ever Series A in Pakistan.
India's ShopClues to merge with Singapore-based Qoo10
Indian e-commerce company ShopClues has agreed a merger with Singaporean counterpart Qoo10 at a valuation reportedly 99% lower than its peak level of $1.1 billion.
Blackstone backs India’s Aakash Educational
The Blackstone Group has invested an undisclosed sum in New Delhi-based Aakash Educational Services with a view to building India’s largest digital omnichannel test preparation company.