Southeast Asia
Temasek, 3i to exit ACR Capital to Chinese consortium
An investment vehicle controlled by China's Shenzhen Qianhai Financial Holdings (QFH) and Shenzhen Investment Holdings (SIHC) has agreed to buy Singapore-based reinsurer ACR Capital Holdings from its backers, which include Temasek Holdings, Khazanah Nasional...
IFC commits $11m to Indonesian gas producer's IPO
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $11 million in Indonesia-based Aneka Gas Industri as part of the gas production company’s domestic IPO.
500 Startups launches $50 million Southeast Asia fund
US-based accelerator 500 Startups has launched its second seed fund focused on Southeast Asia, with a targeted corpus of $50 million.
EDBI in $40m round for US-based Shape
EDBI, the corporate VCs arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board, has joined a $40 million Series D round for Shape Security, a US-based provider of online security technology.
Thailand e-commerce platform secures Series B
German internet conglomerate Hubert Burda Media (HBM) has acquired a $24.9% stake in Thailand e-commerce company Priceza from Japan's CyberAgent Ventures as part of a Series B funding round.
Deal focus: Taking truckers to the cloud
CHAMP Private Equity is supporting the development of Containerchain's software-as-a-service proposition as a means of improving supply chain communications between truckers, depots and warehouses
PE-backed Go-Jek acquires India home healthcare start-up
Go-Jek, an Indonesian mobile ride-hailing and delivery platform backed by several PE investors, has bought Bangalore-based online home healthcare services platform Pianta, its third acquisition in India.
Q&A: LeapFrog Investments' Pritesh Modi
In its eight years in Asia, LeapFrog Investments has kept lower-income consumer finance at the center of its investment strategy. Pritesh Modi, director and chief actuary at the firm, discusses the value of a narrow focus
Anthem Asia invests in Myanmar’s Rangoon Tea House
Anthem Asia is backing an expansion drive for Myanmar restaurant Rangoon Tea House (RTH) that will see the company offer services outside catering while developing new brands.
Malaysian pension fund KWAP invests in Uber
Malaysia’s public sector pension fund, KWAP, has invested in US-based ride hailing app operator Uber Technologies. This is its first direct investment in a foreign company.
Singapore's UOB backs $72m Series C for OurCrowd
Singapore-based UOB Group has joined a $72 million Series C round for Israeli equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd.
Australia's CHAMP PE backs SaaS logistics provider
CHAMP Private Equity has acquired a 50% stake in Containerchain, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider to the container logistics industry that is headquartered in Australia but also has a sizeable presence in Southeast Asia.
Philippines consumers: Boom in a bottle
Tidal shifts in the Philippines' consumer demographics are piquing interest among private equity and venture capital investors alike, but sluggish policy modernization efforts remain a key barrier to entry
Pierfront commits $25 million to Indonesia mine operator
Singapore-based alternative credit investor Pierfront Capital has committed $25 million to Merdeka Copper Gold, an Indonesia-based operator of copper and gold mines backed by Saratoga Capital and Provident Capital.
Singapore's Grab raises $750m round led by SoftBank
Singapore-based taxi-hailing app provider Grab has raised a $750 million round of funding led by Japanese technology giant and long-term strategic partner SoftBank.
Equis targets $500m in Indonesia renewables projects
Equis has signed a wind power offtake deal with an Indonesian electricity supplier as part of a $500 million renewable energy project package.
Singapore’s ViSenze raises $10.5m Series B
ViSenze, an e-commerce-focused artificial intelligence (AI) company based in Singapore, India and the US, has completed a $10.5 million Series B funding round led by Rakuten Ventures, WI Harper and Enspire Capital.
Careful targeting key to Philippines M&A – AVCJ Forum
Efforts to increase foreign M&A activity in the Philippines at later investment stages depend on targeting the right kinds of companies and understanding their needs, industry participants told the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
Singapore's JFDI abandons accelerator program
Singapore-based Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) has closed its pioneering accelerator program as part of a corporate restructuring.
MLS, 1955 Capital back US agrochemicals specialist
Crop Enhancement, a US-based company that develops sustainable agrochemicals, has received an $8.5 million Series B round led by the Asia and Americas-focused MLS Capital Fund II and 1955 Capital, a cross-border PE firm set by former Khosla Ventures partner...
Deal focus: InnoVen targets India-Southeast Asia angle
Having gained traction with its venture debt proposition in India, Innoven Capital is now following those same portfolio companies as they expand into Southeast Asia
Deal focus: HaloDoc targets healthcare access
A spin-out from domestic pharmaceutical players Mensa Group, Indonesian healthcare services app HaloDoc wants to make medication and doctor consultations more accessible to the masses
VC value-add: Operational gambit
As competition for VC deals intensifies in Asia and capital becomes commoditized, GPs are stressing their value-add credentials. Should we believe the hype?
Filipino rise demands a sharper focus – AVCJ Forum
Increased competition for private equity deals in the Philippines means investors must be more disciplined in their approach to transactions, according to industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum.