Southeast Asia
ADB invests $25m in Mizuho SEA fund
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest $25 million in Exacta Asia Investment II (Exacta II), a Southeast Asia-focused vehicle launched last year by Japan’s Mizuho Bank.
MSPEA closes debut Thailand fund at $440m
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has reached a final close on its debut Thailand-focused fund with more than $440 million in commitments. The vehicle, launched in partnership with Bangkok Bank, had an initial target of $300 million.
Kendall Court invests $55m in Indonesia hospital operator
Kendall Court has invested $55 million in Mandaya Medical, a healthcare-focused subsidiary of Indonesian conglomerate Selaras Group, via convertible preference shares.
Sequoia India establishes separate VC, growth teams
Sequoia Capital India has split its investment staff, creating separate teams for India and Southeast Asia focused on venture and growth capital investments. The firm's China and US affiliates already employ a similar strategy.
Global Brain leads round for SE Asia's Omise
Thailand-based financial technology company Omise has raised a funding round of undisclosed size led by Japanese venture capital investor Global Brain.
Profile: Apis' Matteo Stefanel
Matteo Stefanel discovered a passion for financial services early in his career. This led to the formation of Apis Partners, which seeks to back the sector’s most innovative entrepreneurs in Asia and Africa
Asia fintech: Follow the leader
China has set a compelling example for establishing a diversified and deeply penetrated digital banking industry in a developing economy. India and Southeast Asia are taking notes
Gobi launches $10m Indonesia early-stage fund
China and Southeast Asia-focused VC firm Gobi Partners has launched a $10 million fund aimed at early stage investments in Indonesia.
Indonesia's Kejora targets $100m for growth fund
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Ventures is seeking $100 million for a growth fund that will participate in Series B and C rounds for local start-ups. Initial commitments have come from several Korean investors, reflecting the country’s strong...
Shaw Kwei closes fourth Asian fund at $812m
Shaw Kwei & Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that primarily focuses on the industrial, manufacturing and services sectors in Asia, has closed its fourth fund at $812 million.
Philippines investors defy systemic risks – AVCJ Forum
Industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum praised the country’s macro fundamentals but attributed slow maturation of the local investment environment to a range of complex underlying factors.
Gobi, Core Capital launch $10m Philippines VC fund
Gobi Partners, a VC firm focused on early-stage Chinese and Southeast Asia companies, has made its first foray to the Philippines through the launch of a $10 million fund. It is partnering with Core Capital, a recently-established VC player based in Manila.
Microsoft to invest in PE-backed ride-hailing platform Grab
Microsoft has made a strategic investment in Grab as part of a wider arrangement that will see it collaborate with the Southeast Asia-focused ride-hailing business on digital services.
Singapore's One Championship receives $166m Series D
Sequoia Capital has led a $166 million Series D funding round for One Championship, a Singapore-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization that stages tournaments across the region.
Wilmar Ventures backs Alzheimer's specialist Accera
Wilmar Ventures, an investment arm of Asian agribusiness conglomerate Wilmar International, has led a $50 million funding round for Accera, a developer of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
KKR, Tencent lead $175m investment in PLDT fintech unit
KKR and Tencent Holdings have led a $175 million investment in a financial technology unit of Philippines telecom giant PLDT. It is said to be the largest ever investment in a local technology company.
Mitsui leads $40m Series B for Singapore's Campana
Mitsui & Co has led a $40 million Series B round for Campana Group as the data network infrastructure company advances the installation of an undersea fiber cable system between Singapore and Myanmar.
Venturra leads $26m round for Philippines' First Circle
Venturra Capital has led a $26 million Series A round for First Circle, a Philippines-based lending platform operator focused on small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Emerging markets ESG: Alliances of convenience
Portfolio companies in Asia’s emerging markets are increasingly enthusiastic about implementing environment, social and governance (ESG) policies, but only when they see clear benefits for their business
Deal focus: Growth capital secondaries
NewQuest Capital Partners and Committed Advisors have invested $175 million in a fund intended to institutionalize the Basil Partners platform and help its portfolio companies achieve greater scale
Blockchain VCs invest $20m in Singapore's AI Grid
A group of VCs specializing in blockchain-related investments has backed a $20 million round for The AI Grid Foundation, a Singapore-based company that promotes decentralized renewable energy usage.
Equis hires Macquarie's Secen as partner
Asia-focused infrastructure investor Equis Group has appointed Damian Secen, a former senior managing director at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), as a partner in its Singapore office.
Caldera seeks $200m for Southeast Asia fund
Caldera Pacific, a Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm that has spent the past four years working on a deal-by-deal basis, is looking to raise $200 million for its debut fund.
NewQuest, Committed Advisors back $175m restructuring
NewQuest Capital Partners and Committed Advisors have bankrolled the formation of a $175 million fund that will acquire the existing portfolio of Singapore-based Basil Partners and provide additional capital for follow-on investments.
