Southeast Asia
Technology: Auto ambitions
Private equity firms and strategic investors are driving an automotive technology arms race in Asia
Ekuinas exits Malaysia's Tenby Education
Malaysian government-backed private equity investor Ekuinas has exited its majority stake in private school chain Tenby Education Group to International Schools Partnership (ISP).
Deal focus: KV secures its biggest buyout
KV Asia Capital sees strong growth potential for the education sector in Southeast Asia. The firm’s latest investment in Malaysia-based APIIT Education Group reflects confidence in this vision
Singapore launches legal tech accelerator
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is partnering with two state-sponsored academic institutions to launch a start-up accelerator focused on technology related to legal practices.
KKR media platform buys India cartoon studio
Emerald Media, a pan-Asian media and entertainment platform backed by KKR, has acquired a majority stake in Cosmos-Maya, an animation studio based in Singapore and India.
Hyundai joins round for Southeast Asia's Grab
South Korean automaker Hyundai has joined the latest funding round for Southeast Asia-based ride-hailing platform Grab. The move comes five months after Toyota also backed the company.
KV Asia backs MBO of Malaysian education group
KV Asia Capital has supported a management buyout of APIIT Education Group, the holding company for several primary, secondary and tertiary education assets in Malaysia, from Ekuinas for an enterprise valuation of MYR725 million ($180 million).
Baidu, Singapore's AMI launch $200m auto tech fund
Chinese internet giant Baidu has launched a $200 million fund with Singapore technology conglomerate Asia Mobility Industries (AMI) that will focus on autonomous driving and intelligent transportation.
IFC invests $40m in Indonesian SME ecosystem
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $40 million in Indonesian lender Radana Bhaskara Finance as part of a support program for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Affinity closes fifth Asia fund at $6b
Affinity Equity Partners has completed a first and final close on its fifth pan-Asian fund at the hard cap of $6 billion after approximately five months in the market.
Temasek leads $80m round for Singapore biopharma player
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has led an $80 million funding round for domestic biopharmaceutical company Tessa Therapeutics with support from a number of venture and growth capital investors.
PE-owned Global A&T Electronics files for bankruptcy
Global A&T Electronics, a Singapore-headquartered provider of assembly and test services for semiconductor chips that is controlled by Affinity Equity Partners and TPG Capital, has filed for bankruptcy in the US.
Affinity buys Malaysia education business for $180m
Affinity Equity Partners has agreed to acquire the Malaysia-based assets of Laureate Education – a private equity-controlled global network of higher education institutions – for $180 million.
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2018
From China to Australia and secondaries to venture debt, industry participants share their perspectives on the year to come for fundraising, investments and exits
Ekuinas buys Malaysia's Davex for $63m
Malaysian government-backed PE firm Ekuinas has acquired domestic lighting design company Davex for MYR255 million ($62.5 million).
Rakuten, Techstars launch Singapore accelerator
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has launched a Singapore-based accelerator program in conjunction with Techstars. It is Techstars’ first program in an Asian city.
Finstar commits $50m to Southeast Asia fintech program
Finstar Financial Group, a Russia-based private equity firm focused on financial technology, will invest $50 million in an existing portfolio company as part of a Southeast Asian mobile consumer lending agenda.
2017 in review: Peak of the cycle?
Large-cap buyouts take private equity investment to record high; KKR leads the way in fundraising, but renminbi vehicles still distort the market; IPOs flourish amid global public markets boom
NSI hits first close on Fund II, backs Singapore healthcare start-up
NSI Ventures has reached a first close of approximately $60 million on its second Southeast Asia venture capital fund and also participated in a $5 million Series A round for Singapore-based digital healthcare company Biofourmis.
Singapore's VC-backed Ascenz sold to trade buyer
Singapore-headquartered Ascenz, a provider of performance solutions for ships, has been acquired by French engineering company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), facilitating an exit for investors including Red Dot Ventures.
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.