Southeast Asia
TPG exits Myanmar Distillery
TPG Capital has sold its stake in Myanmar Distillery Company (MDC), the producer of Grand Royal Whisky, as a Thailand-based strategic acquired a majority interest in the business.
CPPIB commits $500m to Singapore-based ADCF
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has committed up to $500 million to Alpha Data Centre Fund (ADCF), a data center-focused PE fund managed by Singapore conglomerate Keppel Group.
Philippines confidence endures political strife – AVCJ Forum
The Philippines was praised for its political stability as investor wariness around President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drugs became a recurring talking point at the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
Vickers closes fifth VC fund at $230m
Vickers Ventures Partners has closed its fifth fund, which invests in China, Southeast Asia, India and the US, at $230 million – larger than the firm’s four previous vehicles put together.
Singapore's Sea to raise up to $800m in US IPO
Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Sea aims to raise up to $800 million in its upcoming IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Gobi leads $14.5m round for Southeast Asia's Deliveree
Deliveree, a Southeast Asia-focused last-mile logistics marketplace, has raised a $14.5 million Series A round of funding led by Gobi Partners.
Vertex closes Southeast Asia, India fund at $210m
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has closed its latest Southeast Asia and India fund at $210 million, exceeding the $150 million target.
Provident joins $138m bid for Indonesian mining project
Provident Capital has joined a consortium of investors in a bid to acquire Finders Resources that values the Indonesian mining project developer at about A$177.7 million ($138 million).
Indonesia sees first local listing by e-commerce start-up
Online-to-offline (O2O) e-commerce business Kioson has become the first start-up to list on the Indonesia Stock Exchange following a IDR45 billion ($3.4 million) IPO.
Mekong completes exit from Vietnam's Loc Troi
Mekong Capital has completed its exit from Vietnamese agribusiness player Loc Troi, for a total return of more than $12 million.
Philippines PE: Growth potential
Philippines-focused private equity funds are young and unproven. The investment theses need to play out – ideally resulting in more deal flow for larger GPs – for the industry to come of age
Singapore's AdAsia closes Series A at $14.5m
Singapore-based advertising technology company AdAsia Holdings has closed its Series A funding round at $14.5 million after receiving a $2.5 million investment from angel investor Hisanori Watanabe and Japanese news app provider Gunosy.
Dymon invests $15m in Malaysia bottled water company
Singapore-based Dymon Asia Private Equity has agreed to acquire a 13% stake in Malaysia-based and Myanmar-listed bottled water producer Spritzer for about MYR63 million ($15 million).
Due diligence: Go your own way
While GPs in Western markets increasingly rely on outside consultants for portfolio management services, Asian investors are skeptical about its usefulness. Will horror stories eventually elicit change?
Singapore's Sea files for US IPO
Sea, the Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform formerly known as Garena, has filed to list on the New York Stock Exchange.
EMPEA hires KKR's former Asia public affairs head
Steven Okun, until recently KKR’s director of public affairs for Asia Pacific, has been appointed ASEAN representative for EMPEA, a global industry association for private capital in emerging markets.
East Ventures launches $30m Southeast Asia VC fund
East Ventures has launched a $30 million Southeast Asia fund that will make seed to Series A investments in technology start-ups, with an emphasis on Indonesia.
Tower Capital backs $204m Singapore logistics take-private
Tower Capital Asia is supporting a take-private bid for Poh Tiong Choon Logistics that values the Singapore-listed company at approximately S$275 million ($204 million).
VCs back Thai fintech player Finnomena
Krungsri Finnovate, the VC arm of Thai financial institution Bank of Ayudhya, has led a $3.2 million Series A round for domestic financial technology start-up Finnomena.
PE and AI: The machinists
After decades of tantalizing but patchy progress, artificial intelligence is finally seen as ready for mass commercialization. Investors must now weigh an unmissable opportunity with a world of uncertainty
Singapore's NRF invests $12m in cybersecurity start-ups
Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) has invested S$16 million ($12 million) in new cybersecurity projects, with a view to strengthening the country’s R&D capabilities in this area.
Japan's Mizuho launches $250m ASEAN fund
Japan’s Mizuho Bank has launched a private equity fund focused on middle-market companies in the ASEAN region with a target corpus of $250 million.
Provident, JD.com back Thailand e-commerce, fintech JVs
Southeast Asia-focused Provident Capital has partnered with Chinese online retailer JD.com, JD Finance, and Thai conglomerate Central Group on an investment of up to $500 million in e-commerce and financial technology services in Thailand.
Deal focus: Creador writes Indonesia health prescription
With a $45 million investment from Creador, Indonesian hospital chain Medikaloka Hermina is preparing its push to reach the country's underserved middle class