Southeast Asia
Blackstone pulls out of SE Asia energy platform
The Blackstone Group has terminated an $800 million commitment to develop oil and gas assets in Southeast Asia with Malaysia-based Tamarind Energy.
Tech & government: Living laboratories
As governments of Southeast Asia’s emerging economies look to create more workable VC policy environments, start-ups and investors have proliferated across a patchwork of imperfect systems
Tech & government: 20 years of early days
Since the dawn of the internet in the mid-1990s spurred a global rebalancing of economic power, Asia’s newest VC heavyweights have raised questions as to how this technology-driven shift will be governed
Q&A: Go-Jek's Nadiem Makarim
Three months on from a $550 million Series D round of funding, Nadiem Makarim, founder and CEO of Indonesia-based ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek, discusses where he sees the market heading
Warburg Pincus supports take-private of Singapore's ARA
Warburg Pincus has joined a consortium of investors including China’s Avic Trust to privatize Singapore-listed real estate fund management company ARA Asset Management.
Northstar backs SE Asia business accommodation supplier
Northstar Group has taken what is understood to be a minority stake in MG Group – a Southeast Asian “bedbank” that supplies hotel rooms to travel agents, wholesalers, aggregators and tour operators – for an undisclosed sum.
IFC proposes backing Jungle's SE Asia seed fund
The International Financial Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a $2 million investment in Jungle Ventures' Southeast Asia-focused seed fund.
Alibaba-backed Lazada buys Singapore's RedMart
Lazada, a Southeast Asia-based e-commerce platform founded by Germany's Rocket Internet and recently acquired by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has bought Singapore-based online grocer RedMart.
Southeast Asia dating app raises $32.5m round
Paktor, a Southeast Asia-focused mobile dating app, has received $32.5 million in new funding led by K2 Global – a venture capital firm that makes late-stage tech investments in Asia and the US – and Indonesia-based MNC Media Group.
Indonesia's Convergence Ventures closes $30m tech fund
Convergence Ventures, an early-stage VC firm based in Indonesia, has reached a final close of $30 million on its debut fund.
Jungle leads $11m Series A for Thailand's Pomelo
Jungle Ventures has led an $11 million Series A round of funding for Thailand-based online fashion retailer Pomelo.
IFC proposes $100m commitment to Actis energy fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a $100 million investment in Actis Capital's latest emerging markets energy fund.
Partners For Growth commits $15m to Yello Mobile's marketing unit
Yello Digital Marketing (YDM), the digital marketing unit of South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, has received $15 million in funding from Partners For Growth (PFG), the PE arm of SVB Financial Group.
Simmons invests in Malaysia's Leap Energy
Simmons Private Equity (SPE), an energy-focused investor based in the US, has acquired Malaysian oil company Leap Energy as part of a plan to establish a global upstream consulting group.
Deal focus: Eywa brings experienced edge to generics
Eight Roads Ventures India sees considerable strengths in Eywa to tackle the lucrative US generic pharmaceuticals market
Northstar submits $238m offer for Singapore-listed Innovalues
Northstar Group has offered to buy Singapore-listed Innovalues, a components manufacturer for the automotive and industrials sectors, in a deal that values the business at approximately S$331.4 million ($238 million).
Bain-owned APMG sells Southeast Asia assets
Asia Pacific Medical Group (APMG), a medical platform owned by Bain Capital, has agreed to sell Singapore and Malaysia-based plastic surgery brand The Sloane Clinic to China Medical (International) Group (CMIG).
US fintech raises $5m for Philippines, Southeast Asia push
Quona Capital has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for US-based financial technology start-up Coins. It will support an expansion in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on the Philippines.
Fidelity funds join $30m round for Singapore's Eywa
Eight Roads Ventures India and US-based F-Prime Capital - both of which are controlled by Fidelity - have joined a $30 million investment in Singapore and India-based drug manufacturer Eywa Pharma.
PAG backs restaurant chain Paradise Group
PAG Asia Capital has agreed to invest in Paradise Group Holdings, a Southeast Asia-based restaurant chain with over a dozen brands and more than 60 outlets.
Thai strategic buys stake in PE-backed US restaurant chain Red Lobster
Thailand-based seafood supplier Thai Union Group has invested $575 million in Red Lobster, a US-based seafood restaurant chain majority-owned by Golden Gate Private Equity.
Morgan Stanley invests $46m in Thailand diaper maker DSG
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has invested THB1.6 billion ($45.6 million) in DSG International Thailand, a maker of baby and adult diapers.
Singapore’s New Silkroutes launches private equity JV
Singapore-listed energy trading company New Silkroutes Group (NSG) has formed a joint venture with three parties to develop private equity funds targeting healthcare and infrastructure in emerging and developed Asia.
Philippines’ Xurpas buys VC-backed mobile ad firm
Early-stage VC firm Wavemaker Partners has made a full exit from Art of Click as Philippines-based mobile service developer Xurpas acquired the Singaporean mobile advertising player in deal worth $45 million.