Southeast Asia
Malaysia to invest $478m in PE, VC matching scheme
The Malaysian government will allocate MYR2 billion ($478 million) to a co-investment scheme that will match investments made in the country by private equity and venture capital funds.
Operational value-add: Active duty
VCs are under pressure to improve operational capacity as competition heats up in Asia’s start-up ecosystems. Methodologies filtering over from the US are finding both disciples and skeptics
China's LightInTheBox to acquire VC-backed Ezbuy
Chinese online retailer LightInTheBox has agreed to acquire Southeast Asian e-commerce operator Ezbuy for $85.55 million through a share swap.
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
Japan's TEPCO invests in PE-backed Electrify
Electrify, a Singapore-based energy marketplace based on blockchain technology and backed by Japan’s Global Brain, has raised an investment of undisclosed size from TEPCO Frontier Partners, an incubator sponsored by Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).
Jungle co-leads $29m round for UK AI developer
Jungle Ventures has joined UK-based venture capital firm Lakestar to lead a $29 million Series A round for Engineer.ai, a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software development tools.
Hyundai invests $250m in Southeast Asia's Grab
South Korean car maker Hyundai Motor Group has joined the latest funding round for Southeast Asia ride-hailing app Grab, committing $250 million to deepen the two companies’ existing relationship.
MassMutual sets up $50m Southeast Asia VC fund
US-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has established a $50 million Southeast Asia-focused VC fund via its in-house financial technology investment unit.
CLSA invests in Singapore e-commerce site
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested an undisclosed sum in FortyTwo, a Singaporean e-commerce player focused on home furnishings.
PE-backed Merdeka buys stake in Indonesian gold mine
Merdeka Copper Gold, an Indonesian mining company controlled by Provident Capital and Saratoga Capital, has agreed to pay $55 million for a 66.6% stake in a domestic gold operation known as Pani.
INCJ leads $50m round for Singapore's Astroscale
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a $50 million Series D round for Astroscale, a Singaporean space technology company focused on orbital debris removal.
KKR invests $144m in Southeast Asia's PropertyGuru
KKR has committed S$200 million ($144 million) in Series D funding to PropertyGuru, a Singapore-based online property portal that has several existing private equity investors.
SE Asia-focused Chinese fintech player gets $70m Series C
Akulaku, a Chinese consumer finance platform that primarily serves customers in Southeast Asia, has raised $70 million in a Series C round led by fintech company Finup Group. Sequoia Capital India, Blue Sky Venture Capital, and Qiming Venture Partners...
Australia's Pemba to exit Heavy Maintenance Group
Pemba Capital Partners – an Australian middle-market GP formerly known as RMB Capital Partners – has agreed to sell heavy equipment specialist Heavy Maintenance Group (HMG) to Malaysia’s Sime Darby for A$58 million ($41 million).
Asia corporate VC: Company towns
Acceleration of development in the technology space is giving rise to a new generation of corporate VC investors. Building an identity separate from their parents is crucial to the success of these emerging firms
Booking invests $200m in Southeast Asia's Grab
Booking Holdings, which operates multiple online travel sites, has invested $200 million in Southeast Asia ride-hailing app Grab as part of a strategic partnership.
Deal focus: Mandaya targets shifting healthcare demand
Kendall Court backs Mandaya Medical's bid to capture the demand for quality healthcare among Indonesia's growing middle class
Philippines start-ups: Cultural baggage
The Philippines is said to be at a tipping point where growing investor interest is set to culminate in the country’s first global start-up success story. A subtle malaise, however, is offsetting expectations
Q&A: Wellington Management's Michael Carmen
Michael Carmen, a senior managing director and PE lead portfolio manager at Wellington Management, discusses the growing opportunity in the late-stage pre-IPO market and the challenges for investors
Warburg Pincus backs Indonesia tax compliance business
Warburg Pincus has led a $25 million Series B round of funding for OnlinePajak, an Indonesia-based company that operates an online tax reporting platform.
Fund focus: MSPEA takes on Thailand
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia raises $440 million for its first vehicle aimed at the so-far underpenetrated Thailand market
ADB invests $25m in Mizuho SEA fund
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest $25 million in Exacta Asia Investment II (Exacta II), a Southeast Asia-focused vehicle launched last year by Japan’s Mizuho Bank.
MSPEA closes debut Thailand fund at $440m
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has reached a final close on its debut Thailand-focused fund with more than $440 million in commitments. The vehicle, launched in partnership with Bangkok Bank, had an initial target of $300 million.
Kendall Court invests $55m in Indonesia hospital operator
Kendall Court has invested $55 million in Mandaya Medical, a healthcare-focused subsidiary of Indonesian conglomerate Selaras Group, via convertible preference shares.