Southeast Asia
Singapore’s C88 gets $28m Series C round
Data and financial services company Experian has led a group of investors, including Monk’s Hill Ventures and Telstra Ventures, in a $28 million Series C round for Singapore’s C88 Financial Technologies.
Khazanah's entire board offers to step down
Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional has confirmed that its entire board of directors is willing to resign. It comes as a newly elected government looks to curb corruption in state investment programs.
Singapore VC-backed hotel chain gains $15m strategic investment
Zen Rooms, a budget hotel operator and online booking platform based in Singapore, has raised a $15 million from Korean online-to-offline (O2O) local services platform Yanolja.
Keppel Capital launches $147m Asia education sector fund
Keppel Capital, the asset management arm of Singapore-based Keppel Corporation, will launch an investment fund focused on education assets alongside Singapore-based preschool operator MindChamps.
Singapore blockchain-based data marketplace gets $60m
Open Data Exchange (ODX), a Singapore-based decentralized marketplace developer has raised $60 million from a group of investors, including Hong Kong blockchain specialist Kenetic Capital and US-Korea firm Strong Ventures.
ClassPass raises $85m, targets SE Asia expansion
US-based fitness services company ClassPass has raised a $85 million Series D round led by Temasek Holdings and L Catterton as part of a global expansion effort that will emphasize Southeast Asia.
Square Peg leads $30m Series B for Indonesia's FinAccel
Square Peg Capital has led a $30 million Series B round for Indonesian financial technology start-up FinAccel to support its national and regional expansion.
Singapore's TradeGecko gets $10m Series B
TradeGecko, a Singapore-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) has received a $10 million Series B round led by local investor TNB Ventures and Australia’s Aura Group.
Navis to sell stake in Singapore's White Lodge Education
Navis Capital Partners has agreed to sell a 70% stake in White Lodge Education Group Services, a Singapore-based preschool and kindergarten operator, for S$13.3 million ($9.8 million).
Jungle targets $150m for third SE Asia VC fund
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has launched its third Southeast Asia-focused VC fund with a target of $150 million.
SE Asian corporates eye PE collaborations – AVCJ Forum
Private equity firms present attractive partnership opportunities for corporate investors in Southeast Asia as both public and private companies seek to augment their existing strengths and fuel growth strategies.
GP profile: Golden Gate Ventures
Golden Gate Ventures was founded in order to bring much-needed support to Southeast Asia’s fledgling start-up community. The firm has found success by promoting an entrepreneurial culture within its team
Advance.AI raises $50m, targets Southeast Asia expansion
A group of Southeast Asian and Chinese investors has provided a $50 million extended Series B round of funding for Advance.AI, a big data specialist with offices in Beijing, Singapore, Jakarta, and Manila.
VCs see opening for Southeast Asia exits – AVCJ Forum
Venture capital firms in Southeast Asia see a growing range of exit avenues thanks to a maturing local start-up market and increasing interest from global investors.
Golden Equator, KIP launch Southeast Asia tech fund
Singapore’s Golden Equator Capital and Korea Investment Partners (KIP) have jointly launched a S$120 million ($88 million) Southeast Asia technology fund focused on start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Thailand's Lakeshore buys local drug brand
Lakeshore Capital has taken a controlling stake in domestic drug manufacturer Devakam Apothecary Hall, owner of the Namman Muay analgesic cream brand, for an undisclosed amount.
GIC advises caution, predicts rising global volatility
GIC Private’s investment performance declined for the third consecutive year, with the sovereign wealth fund once again warning of uncertainty driven by high asset valuations, increased risk of monetary policy tightening, and international trade tensions.
Asia exits have 'never been easier,' GPs say - AVCJ Forum
Private equity exits in Asia are on a roll, driven by rising Chinese strategic interest and the emergence of larger pan-regional private equity firms looking for secondary buyouts, industry participants told the AVCJ USA Forum.
Singapore VC: Filling the gap
Investors are pursuing a number of strategies for addressing Southeast Asia's late-stage VC funding shortfall
Malaysia to see increased mid-market competition
A shortage of attractive and accessible targets and the introduction of new private equity players - notably from the banking sector - could result in a squeeze on Malaysia’s middle-market deal flow.
Trans Pacific Partnership: A rising tide
When the US withdrew from the Trans Pacific Partnership, the remaining participants decided to go it alone. Hopes are high that the deal will result in improved business environments across Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia GPs: Judgment day
With nearly every Southeast Asia-focused GP set to spend some part of 2018 on the fundraising trail, LPs must once again deliberate on the optimal fund size, strategy, and geographic coverage for the region
Q&A: Openspace Ventures' Shane Chesson
Having co-founded NSI Ventures as an affiliate of Northstar Group, Shane Chesson took the business independent this year and renamed it Openspace Ventures. He discusses Southeast Asia’s macro outlook
Temasek’s portfolio reaches $235b in 2018
Temasek Holdings saw its net portfolio value reach S$308 billion ($235 billion) as the Singapore government-controlled investment fund stepped up its investment activity in the 12 months ended March 2018.