Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia video streaming service Iflix gets $90m
Iflix, a primarily Southeast Asia-focused video streaming service that follows a similar business model to Netflix, has raised $90 million in Series B funding led by Liberty Global and Kuwaiti telecom company Zain Group.
VC-backed Fave buys Groupon Singapore
Malaysian VC-backed online-to-offline (O2O) e-commerce company Fave has agreed to acquire Groupon Singapore, extending a string of related bolt-ons in Southeast Asia.
EDBI, Philips launch Singapore health tech investment platform
Singapore’s EDBI and Philips have formally launched an Asia-focused investment platform that targets companies in digital healthcare services.
Northstar considers bid for Singapore-listed Spindex
Northstar Group may submit a buyout offer for Singapore-listed precision components manufacturer Spindex Industries that exceeds a S$98 million ($69.4 million) bid from a consortium led by the company’s chairman.
Quona, Accion close $141m global fintech fund
Quona Capital and emerging markets microfinance group Accion International have closed a $141 million global venture fund dedicated to financial technology. It will focus in part on India and Southeast Asia.
EDBI, Hewlett Packard back US IT player's Asia push
Singapore's EDBI and the venture arm of Hewlett Packard’s software spin-off HPE have joined a $21.5 million Series C funding round for an Asian expansion drive by US-based IT company Hedvig.
Deal focus: GPs target healthy scale
Oaktree Capital Management and Navis Capital Partners are merging Fitness First and Celebrity Fitness in the expectation that scale will be rewarded in Southeast Asia's gym market
PE and funeral services: Untapped eternity
Increased urgency around demographic tailwinds in the funeral services space has coincided with a spate of investment activity in recent years. Private equity could be well positioned to play a leading role
HPEF strikes incentive deal with LPs over Asia fund
HPEF Capital Partners – formerly known as Headland Capital Partners – has won LP approval for an incentive scheme that ties in a reconstituted team to manage the existing portfolio, and the principals still hold expectations of raising a successor...
Indonesia's Kejora reaches first close on second VC fund
Indonesian VC firm Kejora Ventures has reached a first close of nearly $25 million on its second fund and plans to expand into Thailand with the support of one of its LPs, the Chareon Pokphand family, which controls local conglomerate CP Group.
Kickstart, BPI invest in Zalora Philippines alongside parent
Kickstart Ventures and BPI Capital have joined their parent Ayala Group to buy a 49% stake in the Philippines business of online fashion retailer Zalora.
K2 Global raises $183m for US-Asia VC fund
K2 Global has raised $183 million for its debut venture fund, which aims to promote cross-border development in Asian and US technology start-ups.
Oaktree merges Fitness First Asia with Navis-owned gym business
The Hong Kong and Southeast Asia business of Fitness First, which is controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, has agreed to merge with Celebrity Fitness, a Southeast Asia gym operator owned by Navis Capital Partners.
Shanda leads $5.6m round for Indonesia's Nida
Indonesian hotel reservation services provider Nida Rooms has raised a $5.6 million Series A round of funding led by China’s Shanda Group.
IFC set for $60m investment in SE Asian medical player
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a commitment of $60 million to IDS Medical Systems, a Hong Kong-based healthcare industry supplier for Southeast Asia.
Singapore's Temasek opens San Francisco office
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has opened an office in San Francisco, expanding its US presence following the establishment of a New York office in 2014.
IAG launches fintech incubator in Singapore
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has agreed to establish a financial technology incubator in Singapore to focus on promoting start-ups targeting innovation in the insurance industry.
Singapore's CapBridge launches $100m VC fund
Singapore-based investor CapBridge Investment Trust (CIT) is targeting $100 million for a growth-stage VC fund that aims to improve access to established start-ups for institutional investors.
Deal focus: CXA flexes health muscles
Singapore's CXA raises $25 million in Series B funding to build out its benefits model that helps both companies and employees fight their healthcare battles more efficiently
VCs commit $60m to US VR firm for Asia push
Several Asian VC investors have joined a $60 million Series D round for US-based virtual reality (VR) and digital cinematography technology developer Lytro to support its expansion into Asia.
Singapore's mClinica raises $6.3m Series A round
US-based venture capital firm Unitus Impact has led a $6.5 million Series A funding round for Singaporean healthcare technology start-up mClinica.
Impact investors and Asian banks: Developing interest
Despite the rise of non-banking finance companies, traditional banks in emerging markets still appeal to impact investors. Using them to their potential means adapting to each market
Asia value creation: Internal repairs
Private equity investors in Asia are responding to an increasingly competitive deal-sourcing environment with a stronger focus on value-add, but successful implementation will require a cultural commitment
Deal focus: Trax offers brands a valuable close-up
Trax Image Recognition closes in on a $250 million valuation as Investec Bank backs the Singapore's start-up's solution for giving brands a clearer picture on what shelf positioning means for sales