Southeast Asia
Lombard, Leapfrog buy RSA's stake in Thai insurer
Lombard Investments and LeapFrog Investments have acquired a 21.75% stake in Thailand’s Syn Mun Kong Insurance (SMK) from Royal & Sun Alliance Group (RSA) for THB1.89 billion ($57.5 million).
Harjit Bhatia rejoins Asia Growth Capital Advisors
Harjit Bhatia has returned to Asia Growth Capital Advisors (AGCA) as executive chairman. He left the firm in 2012 to become managing partner and CEO at PineBridge Asia Partners.
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2015
From China and India to Southeast Asia and Japan, private equity professionals give their perspectives on the year to come for fundraising, investments and exits
CVC to sell most of its stake in Philippines lender RCBC
CVC Capital Partners is set to make a partial exit from Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) as Cathay Life Insurance confirmed it had agreed to buy a 20% stake in the Philippines lender for PHP17.92 billion ($400.5 million).
PE-backed Maxpower sells stake in Myanmar unit to Mitsui
Mitsui & Co. has acquired a 44% stake in the Myanmar business of Maxpower Group, a Southeast Asia –focused gas power plant developer backed by Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE).
Blackstone joins $1.1b financing for Singapore property developer
The Blackstone Group is backing an investment platform launched by City Developments (CDL) that will enable the Singapore real estate firm to raise S$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) in return for exposure to cashflows generated by properties on the resort...
Riverside debuts in SE Asia with Malaysia chemicals deal
The Riverside Company has bought Malaysian chemical distributor Drex-Chem Malaysia (DCM) for an undisclosed sum in its first ever Southeast Asia investment.
Singapore’s Tembusu, China’s Bona to create $100m media fund
Singapore-based PE firm Tembusu Partners and local media entrepreneur Calvin Cheng have joined forces with Yu Dong, China Bona Film Group’s CEO, to launch a $100 million fund targeting China’s media and entertainment industry.
SoftBank hitches a ride with GrabTaxi
Six months ago, Southeast Asia-focused mobile taxi-booking platform GrabTaxi was adjusting to the fact that its resources had ballooned by $15 million, following a Series B round provided by GGV Capital and Qunar. On this basis, the past six weeks have...
The trust factor: Repeat buying in Asian PE
Navis Capital Partners completed a management buyout of Dome Coffees Australia in 2003. The business grew and Navis prospered, securing a 3.5x return on exiting the asset via another management buyout five years later. Fast forward to September 2014 and...
SoftBank invests $250m in Southeast Asia’s GrabTaxi
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Corp. has committed $250 million to GrabTaxi, becoming the largest investor in the Southeast Asia-focused mobile taxi-booking platform.
Southeast Asia's Lazada rockets past $700m mark
“We go in with a certain hypothesis of growth and revenue. Sometimes you’re not able to guess how the market will react. If the hypothesis is not confirmed within 3-6 months then we decide to pull out.”
Temasek leads $249m round for SE Asia-focused Lazada
Temasek Holdings has led a EUR200 million ($249 million) round of funding for Lazada, a Southeast Asia-focused online retailer set up by Germany’s Rocket Internet.
Financial technology accelerator launches in Singapore
Startupbootcamp FinTech, a Europe-based accelerator that focuses on financial technology, has launched an Asian program in Singapore.
Rakuten leads $10m Series A for Singapore’s PocketMath
Rakuten Ventures, a corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has led a $10 million Series A round for PocketMath, a Singapore-based mobile advertising platform.
Convergence Accel launches $25m Indonesia VC fund
Jakarta-based VC firm Convergence Accel has launched a $25 million debut fund that will invest in Indonesian early-stage technology companies.
Partners Group appoints Cyrus Driver head of Asian private equity
Cyrus Driver has been named head of Asian private equity at Partners Group, replacing Andreas Baumann who has relocated to the US to head up the company’s business in the Americas.
Navis-led consortium buys Singapore tech manufacturer
A consortium led by Southeast Asia-focused GP Navis Capital Partners has acquired MFS Technology, a Singapore-based developer of rigid and flexible printed electronic circuits, for $95 million.
Private debt: Enforcement issues
Investors see great potential in Asia’s private debt markets, but some GPs and LPs’ attitudes towards downside protection and enforceability keep them out of emerging markets
China’s Alipay, VC back mobile tech specialist V-Key
Alibaba Group’s online payment platform Alipay and IPV Capital have invested $12 million in a Series B round for V-key, a Singapore and US-based start-up specializing in mobile security and cryptography.
RRJ leads $1b investment in Cheniere Energy
RRJ Capital has agreed to invest $1 billion in convertible notes issued by Cheniere Energy, a US-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer.
GIC invests $391m in Philippines liquor producer Emperador
GIC Private has agreed to pay PHP17.6 billion ($391 million) for a 9.64% stake in Emperador (EMP), a Philippines-based liquor producer. Its parent is Alliance Global, a conglomerate controlled by local businessman Andrew Tan.
Abraaj buys Southeast Asia’s Wine Connection Group
The Abraaj Group has acquired a majority stake in the Wine Connection Group, a Southeast Asia-focused food and beverage chain.
Hera Capital re-ups in Philippines-based Cashcashpinoy
Singapore-based private equity investor Hera Capital has committed an additional $2 million in a Series B round of funding for Cashcashpinoy, a Philippines-based online shopping platform.