Southeast Asia
ESG: Quantifiable benefits
Finding ways to implement environment, social and governance (ESG) policies and track performance with greater consistency has become a priority for some – but by no means all – Asian GPs
General Atlantic promotes SE Asia head to managing director
Wai Hoong Fock, who leads General Atlantic’s Southeast Asia business, has been promoted to managing director.
KKR makes seven senior-level promotions in Asia - update
Diane Raposio, who leads KKR’s fundraising activities in Asia, and Jaka Prasetya, the firm’s Indonesia head, have both been promoted to partner level.
GLP shareholders approve $11.5b PE-backed privatization
Shareholders have voted in favor of a S$15.9 billion ($11.5 billion) acquisition of Singapore-listed warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties (GLP) by a consortium that includes Hopu Investment and Hillhouse Capital.
Ping An Capital invests $121m in Singapore's Fullerton Healthcare
Ping An Capital, an investment unit of China’s Ping An Insurance, has invested more than RMB800 million ($121 million) in Fullerton Healthcare Corporation, which provides healthcare services to more than 25,000 corporations in Asia.
Deal focus: Traphaco wins with the direct approach
Mekong Capital's 6.3x return on its investment in Vietnam-based pharmaceuticals player Traphaco involved turning the company's distribution model on its head, as well as supporting expansion and improving governance
Everstone acquires Malaysia's Chemopharm
The Everstone Group has acquired Chemopharm, a provider of medical equipment based in Malaysia.
Singapore IP fund commits $52m to cloud-based telecom player
The Makara Innovation Fund (MIF) – a Singapore government-backed vehicle that focuses on intellectual property-driven businesses – has made its first investment, backing Asia telecom player MyRepublic.
VC-backed DataRobot to invest $11m in Singapore AI
DataRobot, a US-based start-up backed by a number of VCs including Intel Capital, has committed about $11 million to an artificial intelligence (AI) program in Singapore.
Deal focus: Tapping complexity in e-commerce
Southeast Asia-focused retailing services provider aCommerce has received $65 million in Series B funding to support not only geographical expansion but also a move into B2B to complement existing B2C capabilities
Walden, East join $6.6m round for Tech in Asia
Walden International and East Ventures have joined a $6.6 million funding round led by Hanwha Investment & Securities for Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based digital media company focused on Asian start-ups.
KKR media platform leads $65m round for Southeast Asia's aCommerce
Emerald Media, an Asian investment platform created by KKR, has led a $65 million Series B funding round for Thailand-based online retailing services company aCommerce.
Singapore to invest $20m in local fintech ecosystem
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has set up a S$27 million ($20 million) grant to support the country’s financial technology development ecosystem.
Vertex co-leads $8m round for Singapore's Active.ai
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has co-led an $8.25 million Series A round for Singapore-based financial technology platform Active.ai.
Timing, sector selection critical to success in Asia deals - AVCJ Forum
Private equity firms are seeing more deal flow across Asia, but in a climate of high valuations investors must pick the right markets at the right time, and be creative in sourcing opportunities.
PE ownership presents opportunities, challenges for portfolio companies – AVCJ Forum
Private equity ownership can bring significant benefit to a portfolio company, but it can also be challenging for both the investor and the investee.
Mekong exits Vietnam's Traphaco for $64.5m
Vietnam’s Mekong Capital has exited its 25% stake in domestic pharmaceuticals company Traphaco for about $64.5 million. It represents a gross return multiple of 6.3x for the investment.
VC-backed Razer raises $504m in Hong Kong IPO
Razer, a manufacturer of gaming peripherals with several venture capital backers, has raised HK$3.93 billion ($504 million) in its Hong Kong IPO.
SCPE to buy stake in Singapore-listed crane business
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has offered to buy a stake of unspecified size in Tat Hong Holdings in a deal that values the Singapore-listed crane and heavy equipment supplier at approximately S$376 ($277 million).
Singtel Innov8, Harmony anchor Qubole's $25m Asian push
Singtel Innov8 and Harmony Partners have led a $25 million round of funding to support the Asia expansion of Qubole, a big data firm based in India and the US.
Fintech funds: Treasuries apart
Investment strategies targeted exclusively at the convergence of financial services and technology have become commonplace. As competition picks up, success will depend on adopting skills and a global view
PE-backed Vincom Retail ups size of IPO to raise $740m
Private equity-backed Vincom Retail, the leading shopping mall operator in Vietnam, has completed the country’s largest-ever IPO, after increasing the size and pricing of its offering to raise VND16.8 trillion ($740 million).
VCs join $25m round for Singapore's ShopBack
Singapore-based e-commerce aggregator ShopBack has raised a $25 million funding round from investors including East Ventures, SoftBank, and 33 Capital.
Lakeshore buys Thailand skincare business
Lakeshore Capital has led the acquisition of a controlling stake in Aisance, a Thailand-based skincare company that specializes in distributing products from Korea, for $15.9 million.