Southeast Asia
Indonesia's AC Ventures hits first close on debut fund
AC Ventures, a recent merger of Indonesia’s Agaeti Ventures and Convergence Ventures, has reached a first close of $56 million for its debut fund as a combined group. The target is $80 million.
Archipelago acquires Malaysia's Coolblog, Ekuinas exits
Archipelago Capital Partners has acquired Malaysian dessert and drink chain Coolblog from government-backed PE firm Ekuinas based on an equity value of MYR75 million ($18 million).
Temasek restructures asset management entities
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has created a holding company for its four asset management units – including private equity-focused Azalea Investment Management and venture debt business InnoVen Capital – to provide more support in areas such as third-party...
SBI, Sygnum launch digital assets fund
SBI Ven Capital, an investment arm of Japan's SBI Group, has teamed up with digital asset bank Sygnum Group and launched an early-stage fund investing in digital assets across Southeast Asia and Europe.
Deal focus: Neuron finds clear roads down under
Having increased its Series A round to $30.5 million, Neuron Mobility is ramping up expansion of its e-scooter rental services, with Australia and New Zealand the immediate priorities
Deal focus: CVC's soft sell
CVC Capital Partners helped Softex Indonesia grow its market share by penetrating modern retail channels and launching an ESG program. A $1.2 billion trade sale exit to Kimberly-Clark is its reward
Ex-Unigestion Asia head joins Campbell Lutyens
Eric Marchand, who left his role as Unigestion’s head of Asia Pacific private equity earlier this year, has joined Campbell Lutyens as a senior advisor.
PE-backed Converge ICT set for $680m Philippines IPO
Converge ICT, a Philippines-based broadband internet provider that counts Warburg Pincus as an investor, is poised to raise PHP32.9 billion ($680 million) in the country’s largest-ever IPO.
PE-owned Asia data center business trades up after $540m IPO
Bain Capital-controlled data center operator Chindata Group Holdings gained 20% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $540 million IPO.
Singapore e-scooter start-up gets Series A extension
Neuron Mobility, a Singapore-based e-scooter rental start-up, has secured $12 million in an extended Series A round as it accelerates expansion in Australia and New Zealand and prepares to enter the UK.
PineBridge, Peter Thiel launch Southeast Asia-focused SPAC
Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies and Founders Fund, has teamed up with PineBridge Investments and Pacific Century Group on a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) that will target new economy assets in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia VC: Knowledge transfers
When venture capital firms move into Southeast Asia, they often use existing operations in China or India as a launching pad. Different lessons can be learned from these two markets
Asia exits: Liquidity lags
Private equity exits – outside of the public markets – are gradually emerging from a COVID-19 hibernation. But sellers must be mindful of timing, structure, and which buyers they are targeting
Deal focus: Waresix builds Indonesia’s logistical lynchpin
Jungle Ventures and EV Growth lead $75 million round for Waresix, backing the company's integrated platform as a solution to Indonesia's logistics challenges
Openspace Ventures hires ex-Providence director
Singapore’s Openspace Ventures has hired Jessica Huang Pouleur (pictured), formerly of Providence Equity Partners and latterly head of Asia M&A for The Walt Disney Company, as an executive director.
Corporate VCs & climate change: Good citizens
Increased climate change awareness on a corporate level is leading to more investment – either direct or through funds – in start-ups that offer mitigation solutions. Asia is a key geography
Lightspeed establishes Southeast Asia VC team
Lightspeed Venture Partners has formalized its Southeast Asian practice with the nomination of Akshay Bhushan (pictured) as head of a new Singapore office and three additional hires.
Naver leads $80m round for Singapore's Carousell
Korean internet conglomerate Naver has led an $80 million round for Singapore’s Carousell, a mobile classifieds marketplace, at a valuation of $900 million.
TPG backs $2b carve-out of Aviva Singapore
TPG Capital has joined a consortium led by Singapore Life (Singlife) that has agreed to acquire the Singapore business of UK insurance giant Aviva for S$2.7 billion ($2 billion).
Bain's Asia data center platform seeks US listing
Chindata Group Holdings, which claims to be the largest player in emerging markets Asia’s carrier-neutral hyperscale data center industry in terms of capacity in service, has filed for an IPO.
Temasek sees portfolio shrink, ups investment pace
Temasek Holdings has deployed a record S$32 billion ($23.3 billion) in the past year – with technology and healthcare the main beneficiaries – even as the impact of COVID-19 saw its overall portfolio shrink in value for the first time since 2016.
EV Growth, Jungle lead round for Indonesia's Waresix
Indonesian logistics technology provider Waresix has secured about $75 million in Series B funding led by existing backers EV Growth and Jungle Ventures.
China apps going global: Empires on hold
China’s data-driven consumer apps are having a harder time keeping politics out of business as they become increasingly competitive in global markets. Lessons are plentiful; solutions are not
Africa-focused GP leads Series B for Singapore's Thunes
Africa-focused private equity firm Helios Investment Partners has led a $60 million Series B round for Singapore financial technology start-up Thunes.