Southeast Asia
The billion-dollar club: Asia's tech unicorns
Asia accounts for one fifth of the global tech sector’s unicorn population as companies raise larger rounds at ever higher valuations. But as investor sentiment weakens, some of these behemoths should be concerned
Formation 8 backs Singapore grocery delivery service
US venture capital firm Formation 8 has led a $15 million Series A round for Singapore-based on-demand grocery delivery start-up Honestbee.
Deal focus: SingPost’s one-world e-commerce play
Singapore Post buys TradeGlobal from Bregal Sagemount as part of a push from traditional mail delivery and into global e-commerce
GIC to buy Indian renewable energy platform Greenko
Singapore’s GIC Private has agreed to acquire Greenko, an India-focused renewable energy developer that has previously received funding from the likes of TPG Capital and EIG Global Energy Partners.
SingPost buys US e-commerce player from PE backer
Singapore Post (SingPost) has bought US-based online commerce provider TradeGlobal from its private equity backer Bregal Sagemount for $169 million.
Hera Capital exits China's ActSocial to Linkfluence
Singapore-based private equity investor Hera Capital has agreed to sell its entire stake in Shanghai and Singapore-based social media analytics firm ActSocial to Linkfluence, a European company with a similar remit.
Carlyle appoints SE Asia head, fires Indonesia deal-maker
The Carlyle Group has promoted Sunil Kaul to head of its Southeast Asia buyout operations following the sacking of Indonesia-focused Rajiv Louis, who was sanctioned for insider-trading activities while working at UBS.
Cassia leads $5.5m Series A round for Vietnam's KAfé Group
Cassia Investments has led a $5.5 million Series A round for KAfé Group, a Vietnamese café chain operator, with participation by existing investor New Asia Partners (NAP).
Monk's Hill commits $5m to Hong Kong-based Playlab
Hong Kong-based mobile game studio Playlab has raised $5 million in Series B funding from Monk's Hill Ventures.
Malaysia's Hermo raises $2m Series A led by Gobi
Shanghai-based VC firm Gobi Partners has led a $2 million Series A round of funding for Hermo, a Malaysian cross-border cosmetics e-commerce platform.
Hong Kong vs Singapore VC: Flawed comparisons
Singapore has easily surpassed Hong Kong in terms of venture capital investment for the last four years, but that data should be assessed in the context of wider industry dynamics
Fund focus: Venturra taps experience for SE Asia start-ups
Venturra Partners will draw on its founders' investment and entrepreneurial experience, plus a strategic connection to Lippo Group, as it helps Southeast Asian start-ups achieve scale
Temasek, Silver Lake back Dell in $67b acquisition of EMC
Singapore's Temasek Holdings is supporting the $67 billion acquisition of data storage and cloud computing company EMC Corporation by US-based computer maker Dell. Other backers include Silver Lake and MSD Partners.
Philippines' PLDT Capital backs US start-up
PLDT Capital, the recently-formed investment arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), has committed $10 million to US mobile app development platform Phunware and will support expansion in Southeast Asia.
Northstar set for $800m close on Fund IV
Northstar Group is scheduled to reach a final close on its fourth fund – which targets Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia – at approximately $800 million at the end of October.
Lippo sponsors Southeast Asia VC fund
Former Monk's Hill Ventures partner Stefan Jung has announced the launch of Venturra Capital, a new Southeast Asia-focused VC fund backed by the Lippo Group.
Golden Gate leads $3.3m Series A for Singapore's HipVan
Golden Gate Ventures has led a S$4.7 million ($3.3 million) Series A round for HipVan, a Singapore-based online store for designer furniture.
Indonesia's Falcon House targets $300m for Fund II
Indonesian GP Falcon House Partners is targeting $300 million for its second fund and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) may once again come on board as an LP.
Convergence, Golden Gate in Series A for Singapore's MoneySmart
Singapore-based personal finance portal MoneySmart has raised S$2.8 million ($2 million) in a Series A round led by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Media Fund, with participation by Convergence Ventures, OPT SEA and Golden Gate Ventures.
Q&A: OCBC's Daniel Kwan
The $392 million Lion-OCBC Capital Asia Fund I represents the first time OCBC has tapped third-party investors for a PE vehicle. Daniel Kwan, head of the mezzanine capital unit, explains the investment strategy
Fund focus: Vertex strengthens its global foothold
Vertex Venture Holdings will use its new $600 million allocation from Temasek Holdings to invest in Vertex family funds across the US, Israel and China
Deal focus: Monde Nissin develops a taste for Quorn
Monde Nissin's acquisition of Quorn Foods from Exponent Private Equity reflects the growing interest among Philippines conglomerates for overseas assets
Media-for-equity: Outside the box
Media-for-equity investing has become a well-established niche market in Europe. To take hold in Asia, the model requires the right investors and the right customers
Philippines private equity: Please be patient
Investors are flocking to the Philippines, but PE firms should invest time in building relationships with family-owned businesses and the government must deliver reforms if the country is to fulfil its potential