Southeast Asia
Deal focus: A digital protector for the cloud era
Inspired by the Korean word for tiger and how it symbolizes protection, cybersecurity start-up Horangi wants to ensure Southeast Asia’s growing pack of digital cubs are well-guarded
CVC closes fifth Asia fund at $4.5b
CVC Capital Partners has closed its fifth Asia fund at the hard cap of $4.5 billion. The firm said the step up from $3.5 billion for Fund IV reflects an expansion in its regional investment capabilities.
Openspace co-leads $17m round for Indonesia's TaniHub
TaniHub, an online marketplace for farm products in Indonesia, has raised more than $17 million in a funding round led by Openspace Ventures and Intudo Ventures.
TNB Aura launches COVID-19 special situations fund
Singapore VC firm TNB Aura has launched an open-ended special situations fund that will support early-stage start-ups under financial pressure related to COVID-19.
Square Peg joins Series B for Singapore's Doctor Anywhere
Australian VC firm Square Peg Capital has joined a $27 million Series B round for Singapore-based healthcare technology provider Doctor Anywhere.
Ashurst hires Danny Tan as Asia investment funds head
Ashurst has recruited Danny Tan from Allen & Gledhill to lead its investment funds practice in Asia Pacific. He will continue to be based in Singapore.
Vickers raises $200m for sixth VC fund
Singapore-based Vickers Venture Partners has confirmed a $200 million first close on its sixth global fund, which is targeting $500 million.
Amatil X invests in Indonesia's Kargo Technologies
Amatil X Indonesia, the venture arm of Coca-Cola's joint venture in Indonesia, has invested in Indonesian logistics start-up Kargo Technologies. The size of the commitment was not disclosed.
Fund focus: 8F reels in $358m
Singapore's 8F Asset Management is taking sector specialization to a new level with a $358 million fund that focuses exclusively on salmon aquaculture projects
Provident Growth leads $20m round for Singapore's Horangi
Horangi, a Singaporean cybersecurity specialist, raised $20 million in a Series B round led by Provident Growth, a Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm in Hong Kong.
Coronavirus & leverage: Room to maneuver?
Economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak is likely to leave many private equity portfolio companies in breach of their leverage covenants. Borrowers and lenders are looking for a fix
Colombia VC to bridge Southeast Asia, Latin America
Latin Leap, a Colombian VC investor and start-up services provider, has launched a boutique fund targeting $20 million to help Southeast Asian companies expand into Latin America.
Ex-CPE Capital executive Shane Gong joins Evercore
Shane Gong, who previously led the Singapore office at Australia's CHAMP Private Equity, now CPE Capital, has been recruited by Evercore to head up its PE secondaries business in Asia.
PE targets sensual wellness: Good vibrations
A recent commitment by China’s CDH Investments to Wow Tech underlines how sensual health products such as vibrators are moving from the margins to the mainstream, globally and in Asia
Singapore GP nets $358m for salmon farm fund
Singapore impact investor 8F Asset Management has closed its debut fund at $358 million, beating a target of $300 million. It is dedicated to building a global salmon fishing business.
Grab launches Singapore-Vietnam accelerator
Singapore-based ride-hailing app Grab has teamed up with the local technology regulator to launch a start-up accelerator focused on facilitating business expansions into Vietnam.
Retail investment in PE: Common stock
Signs are converging that increased retail investor participation in private equity is inevitable. Myriad roadblocks around access, alignment, and infrastructure will inhibit the transition
Singapore’s Credence hits $50m first close on debut VC fund
Credence Partners, a growth-stage private equity firm in Singapore, has achieved a $50 million first close for a venture capital fund that will invest in Southeast Asia. The full target is $100 million.
Burda Principal promotes Albert Shyy to Asia head
Burda Principal Investments (BPI), the investment arm of European technology and media company Hubert Burda Media, has promoted Albert Shyy to managing director and head of Asia.
Fund focus: Monk’s Hill rides SE Asia momentum
Southeast Asia is divided by language, culture and economic systems, but Kuo-Yi Lim of Monk's Hill Ventures contends there is now enough evidence that start-ups can go cross-border and achieve meaningful scale
Temasek leads extended round for Singapore's ShopBack
ShopBack, a Singapore-based rewards platform that generates sales for online and offline retailers, has completed a $75 million extended round of funding led by Temasek Holdings.
Fund focus: Quadria's health check
Having raised $595 million for its second healthcare fund, Singapore-headquartered Quadria Capital has a bulky war-chest for investments in fast-growing companies in India and Southeast Asia
Coronavirus & fundraising: Caught in a bind
The coronavirus outbreak has implications for PE fundraising well beyond China. Many Asia-based managers are either unable to go and see LPs or LPs are not permitted to visit them
Coronavirus in Asia: Ongoing analysis
Coronavirus concerns among GPs not solely focused on China vary based on their direct or indirect exposure to China, but gauging private equity responses to the crisis is like chasing a moving target
