Southeast Asia
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
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.
Malaysia PE: Shaken, not stirred
Malaysian investors are unfazed by a period of political tumult that has directly embroiled the country’s government-guided private equity industry. An erratic growth trajectory now appears set to stabilize
IFC plans $273m Southeast Asia distress JV
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a partnership with Philippines-based Altus Capital to invest up to $272.5 million in distressed assets in Southeast Asia.
Creador set for $430m first close on Southeast Asia, India fund
Creador has scheduled a first close of $430 million on its fourth Southeast Asia and India-focused fund and set the hard cap at $550 million.
Malaysia's Sunway launches $50m VC fund
Sunway, a Malaysian conglomerate with operations in real estate and construction, has launched a venture capital fund with a view to raising $50 million.
Boyu leads $125m round for Singapore's Trax
Boyu Capital has led a $125 million funding round for Trax, a Singapore-headquartered company that has developed computer vision and analytics solutions through which retailers can link sales to in-store and on-shelf positioning.
Malaysia's Affin Hwang launches private equity unit
Malaysia-based Affin Hwang Asset Management has launched a private equity arm under the name Bintang Capital Partners.
Google launches Asian games accelerator
Google has launched an accelerator for Southeast Asia, India, and Pakistan that will focus exclusively on video games.
Singapore's EDBI joins $42m round for US-based Puppet
Singapore’s EDBI has joined a $42 million funding round for Puppet, a US-based creator of software development and operation tools, with the goal of driving expansion in Asia.
VCs invest $8m in Singapore's Umitron
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan and D4V, a Japanese seed-stage investor set up by Genuine Startups and US design consultancy Ideo, have joined a S$11.2 million ($8.2 million) investment in Singaporean agricultural technology company Umitron.
Warranty and indemnity insurance: The information barrier
Warranty and indemnity insurance is growing in popularity in Asia, particularly in emerging markets. A lack of understanding is the biggest impediment to its widespread adoption
Singapore's CashShield gets $20m Series B
Temasek Holdings and GGV Capital have led a $20 million Series B funding round for CashShield, an online fraud management services company for mid to large sized enterprises based in Singapore.
KKR buys Unilever Indonesia's spreads business
KKR has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in a division of consumer goods company Unilever Indonesia that focuses on food spreads such as butter and cooking oil for about IDR2.9 trillion ($210 million).
CITIC Securities fund makes pre-IPO investment in ESR
China’s CITIC Securities has made a pre-IPO investment of undisclosed size in pan-Asian logistic company and fund manager E-Shang Redwood (ESR).
Gobi Partners makes ASEAN appointments
Gobi Partners has strengthened its ASEAN team with the appointment of Dan Chong as COO for the region and the recruitment of two partners for its ASEAN and Thailand funds.
Campbell Lutyens opens Singapore office
Placement agent and secondary transaction advisor Campbell Lutyens has opened a new office in Singapore to support an ongoing Asian expansion agenda.