Southeast Asia
Indonesia exits: Unmet expectations?
Indonesia has become a source of frustration for LPs that want to see more exits. A weak currency, slower growth and rising competition aren’t helping GPs as they seek to deliver the required returns
Indonesia infrastructure: Forging frameworks
Indonesia has set the stage for more private sector involvement in a government-dominated and desperately underdeveloped infrastructure space. A range of intangibles could impede the integration
Abraaj executives arrested on fraud charges
Two executives from The Abraaj Group, including founder Arif Naqvi, have been arrested on US fraud charges relating to the collapse of the growth markets-focused private equity firm.
ADB, Kaizen back Philippines education business
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and education-focused Kaizen Private Equity have invested PHP1.6 billion ($31.5 million) in Phinma Education Holdings, the tertiary education arm of Philippines-based conglomerate Phinma.
Proventeus exits Philippines franchise of Kenny Rogers Roasters
Proventeus Capital, a Southeast Asia-focused middle-market buyout firm, has exited the Philippines franchise of casual dining chain Kenny Rogers Roasters to the company’s founders, receiving PHP1.79 billion ($34 million).
CCA's VC unit expands into Indonesia
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), an Australia-listed food and beverage distributor for Coca-Cola and several other food brands, has established a branch of its venture capital unit Amatil X in Indonesia.
CVC secures partial exit from Indonesian sports retailer
CVC Capital Partners has made a partial exit from Indonesian sports retailer MAP Aktif Adiperskasa, generating proceeds of approximately IDR4.1 trillion ($288 million) through a share sell-down.
AIGF backs Philippines co-working player
ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund (AIGF), a vehicle jointly managed by Malaysia’s CIMB Group and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, has made an investment of undisclosed size in Philippines co-working space provider KMC.
Bain & Co appoints new SE Asia, Australia heads
Bain & Company has named new managing partners for its businesses in Southeast Asia and Australia. The appointments come a month after the consulting firm announced a new Asia Pacific head.
Rakuten Capital, EV Growth back Singapore's ShopBack
Rakuten Capital and EV Growth have joined a $45 million round for Singapore-based retail rewards platform operator ShopBack.
Singapore's TPG-backed AirTrunk raises $333m
TPG Capital and Goldman Sachs have joined a S$450 million ($332.6 million) investment in AirTrunk, a Singapore-based provider of data center services.
Southeast Asia's Grab ups capital-raising target by $2b
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and online-to-offline (O2O) services platform Grab has confirmed it will seek to raise an additional $2 billion within 2019, bringing its ongoing Series H round to some $6.5 billion.
B Capital reaches $406m first close on second fund
B Capital Group, a US venture capital firm with a strong Asia focus established by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, has reached a first close of $406.1 million for its second fund.
Ekuinas exits Malaysia healthcare businesses
Malaysian government-backed private equity firm Ekuinas has exited its entire majority holdings in local healthcare players MediExpress and PMCare to Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation.
Singapore crypto platform hits $1b valuation with Series C
Liquid.com, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency trading platform, has passed the $1 billion valuation mark with the first close of a Series C round led by IDG Capital.
Profile: Openspace Ventures' Hian Goh
Hian Goh knows better than most Southeast Asian VC investors the cultural barriers that discourage the region’s entrepreneurs. With Openspace Ventures he aims to provide start-ups the support they need
DSG hits $30m first close on third consumer fund
DSG Partners Asia, which targets early-stage consumer opportunities in India and Southeast Asia, has reached a first close of $30 million on its third fund.
Asia's lower-tier cities: New horizons
PE and VC players are slowly discovering the investment and business expansion opportunities in the lower-tier cities of developing Asia. Risk-reward calculations are becoming more complex in the process
EQT backs Southeast Asia healthcare benefits administrator
EQT has made an investment of undisclosed size in MHC Asia, a Southeast Asia-based healthcare benefits administrator that helps corporate clients customize health and wellness offerings.
Southeast Asia manufacturing: Back in the game
Contract manufacturers are reconsidering their exposure to China in the light of trade tensions with the US. Southeast Asia stands to benefit, but companies will have to navigate an increasingly complicated landscape
Deal focus: InstaRem bids for the big time
Vertex Ventures leads a $41 million investment in Singapore's InstaRem to grow its global digital payments infrastructure
Q&A: Lalamove's Blake Larson
Hong Kong delivery start-up Lalamove recently raised $300 million in Series D funding. Blake Larson, head of the company’s international division, discusses business models, cross-border expansion, and vehicle sales
South Africa's Naspers to list internet assets on Euronext
South Africa-based conglomerate Naspers plans to spin-off its internet businesses – which include stakes in Chinese giant Tencent Holdings and Indian food-ordering platform Swiggy – through a listing on Euronext in Amsterdam.
Golden Gate, Hanwha target SE Asia's Series B rounds
Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures has partnered with South Korea's Hanwha Asset Management to invest in Series B rounds for Southeast Asian start-ups.