Southeast Asia
Vertex closes Southeast Asia, India fund at $305m
Vertex Ventures, a VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has closed its fourth Southeast Asia and India fund at $305 million, beating an initial target of $230 million.
VCs invest $11m in Singapore talent agency
Gushcloud International, a digital talent agency based in Singapore, has received $11 million from a group of regional VCs and US hip-hop mogul Russel Simmons (pictured).
Khazanah sells Malaysian hospital for $244m
Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional has agreed to sell the Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur to local operator IHH Healthcare for about MYR1 billion ($244 million).
TPG teams up with Malaysian strategic for SE Asia hospital buyout
TPG Capital and Malaysian conglomerate Hong Leong Group have agreed to buy Columbia Pacific Management’s Southeast Asia hospital business for approximately $1.2 billion.
500 Startups, UN launch Indonesia accelerator
500 Startups has teamed up with a unit of the United Nations to launch an impact-focused start-up accelerator in Indonesia.
Thailand's Pomelo gets $52m Series C
Thailand-based fashion retailer Pomelo has raised a $52 million Series C round from a group including Hong Kong’s Provident Growth. It is being called the first-ever Series C for a Thai start-up.
Singapore's Vertex closes debut growth fund at $290m
Vertex Venture Holdings, the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has reached a final close on its first growth-stage fund with $290 million in commitments. The initial target was $250 million.
China PE compensation premium is shrinking - survey
The premium traditionally paid for deal-making talent in China over other Asian jurisdictions is narrowing and in some cases has turned into a deficit – in what might be seen as evidence of GPs looking to strengthen their coverage beyond the region’s...
GIC leads $500m investment in Vietnam's VCM Services
A consortium led by Singapore’s GIC Private has agreed to invest $500 million in VCM Services, a consumer retail division of Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate.
Temasek, Kuehne + Nagel launch early-stage logistics fund
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has launched a $50 million fund focused on early-stage logistics technology start-ups alongside Switzerland supply chain industry giant Kuehne + Nagel.
GIC-backed Metro Pacific Hospital files for Philippines IPO
Metro Pacific Hospitals Holdings (MPHH), a unit of Philippines-based conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), has filed for a domestic IPO. GIC is a minority shareholder in the business.
Partners for Growth seals debut Indonesia venture debt deal
US venture debt provider Partners for Growth (PFC) has completed its first deal in Indonesia – and one of its largest in Asia Pacific – by extending a $20 million credit line to digital credit start-up Kredivo.
PE-backed data center platform makes Asia investments
Princeton Digital Group, a Singapore-based data center developer backed by Warburg Pincus, has confirmed three project acquisitions across Asia as part of a $500 million regional expansion.
Temasek, EV Growth lead $40m round for Indonesia's Social Bella
Temasek Holdings and EV Growth have led a $40 million Series D investment in Social Bella, an Indonesian online services provider for the beauty and lifestyle industry.
DSG exceeds target for third India, Southeast Asia fund
DSG Consumer Partners has reached a final close of $65 million on its third fund focused on early-stage consumer opportunities in India and Southeast Asia, beating its hard cap of $60 million.
Grab commits $500m to Vietnam tech ecosystem
Grab, a Southeast Asia-focused ride-hailing app operator backed by a number of PE and VC firms, has committed to invest $500 million in Vietnam’s technology ecosystem in the next five years.
Singapore-based Play closes debut gaming fund at $40m
Play Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on gaming start-ups in Europe, Asia, and North America, has closed its debut fund at $40 million.
East Ventures closes sixth fund at $75m
East Ventures has closed its sixth fund for early-stage Southeast Asian start-ups at $75 million. It had initially targeted $30 million.
Vulcan Capital expands into Asia
Vulcan Capital, a US-based venture investor set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened a Singapore office and earmarked $100 million for investment in Southeast Asia.
Sovereign investors and technology: Smart nations
Conservative sovereign wealth investors are increasingly comfortable making direct commitments to venture-oriented technology companies. The strategy appears to suit them but remains to be validated
Singapore's RedDoorz raises $70m
Singapore hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has raised $70 million in Series C funding less than a month after closing a $45 million Series B.
VinaCapital invests in Vietnam logistics tech start-up
The venture capital arm of Vietnam’s VinaCapital has invested an undisclosed sum in local logistics technology start-up An Vui.
SSG targets wider array of distressed sellers for Fund V
SSG Capital Partners expects to source distressed assets from a wider variety of sellers – including other alternative investment firms and investment banks – during the life of its fifth Asia fund, which is on track to exceed its target of $1.5 billion.
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
