Southeast Asia
Asian space debris start-up gets $25m Series C
Astroscale, a Singapore-based satellite technology company focused on removing hazardous debris from orbit, has raised a $25 million Series C round with participation from a number of Japanese venture firms.
Singapore's GLP accepts $11.5b Hopu, Hillhouse-backed buyout offer
Singapore-listed warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties (GLP) has accepted a buyout offer from a consortium including Hopu Investment and Hillhouse Capital that values the company at S$15.9 billion ($11.5 billion).
Financial institutions and fintech: Bouncing checks
Southeast Asia’s traditional banks have begun to take a strong interest in the financial technology environment, but their early-stage involvement in the ecosystem is still tentative
Singapore's BeMyGuest raises $8.4m Series A round
Singapore’s Raffles Venture Partners has led a Series A funding round for domestic travel start-up BeMyGuest that brings the company’s total equity funding to S$11.5 million ($8.4 million).
PE in Southeast Asia: Buyout blues
Private equity interest in Southeast Asia has yet to translate into a significant number of buyout deals. The region's sturdy economic fundamentals may prolong the stagnation
Singapore university launches student venture fund
Singapore Management University (SMU) has partnered with Kairos ASEAN to launch a venture capital fund run by and for university students.
Quadria invests Singapore, Vietnam hospitals
Healthcare-focused private equity firm Quadria Capital has acquired stakes in Singapore medical center operator MWH Holdings and Vietnam’s FV Hospital.
Temasek sees portfolio hit record high of $199b
Temasek Holdings saw its portfolio hit a record high of S$275 billion ($199 billion) for the 12 months ended March, but the Singapore government-controlled investment fund warned that the global economy is still plagued by uncertainties.
Frontier markets: Late to the boom
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are among the last frontier markets in Asia but well positioned to benefit from accelerating interest in the ASEAN region. Private equity success will require a nimble approach
Singapore accelerators: Searching for sustainability
The flood of new arrivals in Singapore’s accelerator space means there are often too many groups chasing relatively few high-quality start-ups. Diversification and specialization is the key to survival
Q&A: Singapore Exchange's Mohamed Nasser Ismail
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced several initiatives aimed at supporting technology start-ups. Mohamed Nasser Ismail, head of equity capital markets (SME), explains why a more active role is necessary
GIC posts weakest return in eight years, warns of uncertainty ahead
GIC Private warned of years of uncertainty ahead as the Singapore sovereign wealth fund announced its weakest investment performance since the global financial crisis.
VC-backed Omise raises $25m, acquires Thai competitor
Omise, a Thailand-based financial technology company backed by a number of venture capital firms, has raised $25 million and acquired Paysbuy, a fintech subsidiary of domestic telecom player Dtac.
VCs back $26m investment in Singapore blockchain player
Several venture capital firms have backed a $26 million investment in Funfair, a Singapore-based company that uses blockchain technology to operate an online cryptocurrency casino.
PE executives in government: Late to the party
With private equity executives playing an unprecedented role in the Trump administration, the advantages that PE can bring to government – and vice versa – has come into the spotlight
Q&A: BDA's Paul DiGiacomo
Paul DiGiacomo, a managing director with Asia-focused advisory firm BDA Partners, discusses the latest trends in M&A, from increasingly sophisticated Chinese buyers to more willing multinational sellers
GSR leads $13m round for Singapore's InstaRem
GSR Ventures has led a $13 million Series B funding round for Singapore-based financial technology start-up InstaRem.
Singapore's GIC buys 30% stake in Mergermarket
Singapore’s GIC Private has acquired an approximately 30% stake in Mergermarket Group – AVCJ’s parent company – from BC Partners. The size of the transaction was not disclosed.
VC-backed gaming company Razer files for Hong Kong IPO
Razer, a manufacturer of gaming peripherals such as headphones, joypads and mice, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO. The company, which was co-founded by a Singaporean but is based in the US, has numerous venture capital backers.
Pierfront invests $30m in Singapore shipping group
Singapore-based alternative credit investor Pierfront Capital has completed a $30 million investment in domestic shipping services company KNOT Offshore Partners.
Rocket, Kinnevik exit as Alibaba pumps $1b into Lazada
Alibaba Group will invest about $1 billion to take its stake in Southeast Asia-based e-commerce platform Lazada from 51% to 83%, enabling investors including Rocket Internet and AB Kinnevik to make a full exit.
Warburg Pincus leads $64m round for Singapore's Trax
Warburg Pincus has led a $64 million investment in Trax, a Singapore-based company that has developed visual technology through which retailers can link sales to in-store and on-shelf positioning.
Korean GP buys majority stake in Vietnam's VNPT ePay
UTC Investment, a private equity firm backed by South Korean food producer Daesang Corporation, has finalized its acquisition of a 65% stake in VNPT ePay, the electronic payment arm of Vietnam’s VMG Media.
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Beenext VC fund
Gordian Capital, a Singapore-based asset manager, has confirmed Beenext Capital Management as its second venture capital spin-out this week.