Southeast Asia
Vietnam healthcare: Early days
Hospitals attract most of the capital and interest aimed at Vietnam healthcare. Macro tailwinds are benefiting other parts of the services ecosystem as well, but GPs don’t want to jump too early
Q&A: Gaw Capital Partners' Christina Gaw
Hong Kong-based real estate investor Gaw Capital Partners has leveraged its knowledge and networks to expand into technology and education. Christina Gaw, a managing principal, explains how
Vietnam middle market: Room for maneuver
There is a perceived sweet spot in Vietnam where check sizes are too big for local GPs and too small for pan-regionals. Taking advantage means addressing structural nuances and strategic competition
Vietnam SOEs: Diverted divestments
Murky accounting and politics have rapidly decelerated the privatization of Vietnam’s government-owned companies in recent years. Private equity is biding its time and testing creative inroads
Indonesia's Gojek, Tokopedia merge as GoTo
Gojek and Tokopedia, two of Indonesia’s best-funded technology start-ups, have completed a merger, forming what they claim is the largest mobile on-demand services and payments platform in Southeast Asia.
James Murdoch launches Asia-focused SPAC
James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will pursue deals in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on India.
EQT backs Indonesia flavors, fragrances player
Product innovation and geographic expansion are on the agenda for Indonesia-based flavors and fragrances (F&F) provider Indesso Group following EQT’s acquisition of a minority stake in the business.
Philippines digital bank Tonik raises $17m
Tonik, which claims to be the first digital bank in the Philippines, has raised $17 million in pre-Series B funding led by Singapore’s iGlobe Partners.
Deal focus: L Catterton backs Social Bella to emulate Perfect Diary
Social Bella has risen to prominence in Indonesia as an omnichannel distributor for other beauty brands, but the start-ups is now developing some of its own. L Catterton is backing this diversification drive
Deal focus: The e-commerce agglomeration effect
Inspired by Thrasio buying up e-commerce brands in the US and using its resources to drive growth, Una Brands wants to do the same in Asia. The start-up has secured $40 million to kick-start this effort
Deal focus: Bibit lays claim to be Indonesia's Robinhood
A couple of quickfire funding rounds for Bibit reflects global investor appetite for robo-advisory businesses and the Indonesian company’s rare double-headed product offering
Nordstar, Insignia back Asia Amazon marketplace consolidator
Southeast Asia has seen its second e-commerce aggregator investment in a matter of days, with Rainforest securing $36 million in seed funding from Nordstar and Insignia Venture Partners.
TA buys Singapore corporate services provider, EQT exits
TA Associates has acquired a majority stake in In.Corp Group, a Singapore-headquartered corporate services provider, facilitating an exit for EQT.
Asia brand aggregator raises $40m
Una Brands, an aggregator of e-commerce brands with a presence across Asia, has launched with A$50 million ($40 million) in seed funding from 500 Startups, Kingsway Capital, 468 Capital, Presight Capital, and Global Founders Capital.
Asia Partners leads round for SE Asia e-commerce enabler
Asia Partners has led an approximately S$50 million ($37.4 million) round for Southeast Asia-focused cross-border e-commerce enabler SCI Ecommerce.
Female-focused Indonesia lending platform raises $28m
Amartha, a financial services provider for women-led micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, has raised $28 million in VC funding.
L Catterton backs Indonesia's Social Bella
L Catterton has made its first investment in Indonesia, leading a $56 million round for Social Bella, operator of the beauty industry platform Sociolla.
GP profile: Samena Capital
Conservative yet contrarian, Samena Capital has carved its own path prioritizing patience, trust, and transparency. A younger generation of leadership is guiding entry into a new digital landscape
Deal focus: Cityneon proves the show must go on
Singapore’s Cityneon has seen a robust rebound in its live events business, driven primarily by China. The company now has $177 million in new funding and deals covering everything from ancient Egypt to Avatar
Asia technology: Anatomy of a rebound
Tech investment has been on a tear in Asia, with private equity joining venture capital at the party. While COVID-19 has contributed to these dynamics, the revival is rooted in deeper structural change
Sequoia India leads $65m round for Indonesia's Bibit
Sequoia Capital India has led a $65 million round for Indonesia robo-advisory app Bibit four months after leading a separate $30 million investment.
Indonesia social commerce start-up raises $28m
SoftBank Ventures Asia has led a $28 million Series B round for Aplikasi Super, which claims to be Indonesia’s first and leading social commerce platform.
Q&A: B Capital's Raj Ganguly
In the past few months, B Capital Group has closed a late-stage fund, entered China, and moved forward with a seed-stage vehicle. Co-founder Raj Ganguly explains the firm’s thinking
Sequoia joins $25m Series D for Singapore's StashAway
Sequoia Capital India has joined a S$33.3 million ($25 million) Series D round for Singapore-based wealth management platform StashAway.