Southeast Asia
Philippines online pawn store secures VC funding
Manila-based online pawnshop PawnHero has raised an undisclosed amount of pre-Series A funding from a group of venture backers.
Equis launches SE Asia's largest solar project
Renewable energy-focused developer and investor Equis Funds Group has launched Southeast Asia's largest solar energy project in the Philippines.
UK-based Blippar raises $54m for Asia expansion
Blippar, a UK-based developer of augmented reality, computer vision and artificial intelligence technology, has raised a $54 million Series D round to support its Asia expansion plans.
AID Partners to sell stake in HMV to Japan's World Innovation Lab
AID Partners is set for a partial exit from HMV’s Asia business after agreeing to sell an 18.37% stake in the music and movie retailer to Japan-based World Innovation Lab for $9 million.
Malaysia car sale platform raises $2m Series A round
Malaysian PE fund IdeaRiverRun has led a $2 million Series A round of funding for Carsome, a local car purchasing platform.
Riverside-backed MNX in Singapore bolt-on acquisition
The Riverside Company has completed the bolt-on acquisition of Singapore-based Aero Express Logistics (AEL) to its global transportation and logistics platform MNX Global Logistics.
Telstra backs Monk's Hill Southeast Asia fund
Australia’s Telstra Ventures has made an LP commitment to Singapore-based Monk's Hill Ventures' debut Southeast Asia fund - which is targeting S$100 million ($80 million) - as part of an ongoing pivot to Asian venture capital.
GIC to invest $387m in Indonesian retailer
Singapore’s GIC Private has agreed to invest IDR5.2 trillion ($387.4 million) in Trans Retail, a hypermarket operator controlled by Indonesian conglomerate CT Corp.
VCs commit $15m to Indonesia's Orami
MoxyBilna, an Indonesia-based mother and baby-focused e-commerce group, has received a $15 million funding round led by Sinar Mas Digital Ventures (SMDV), and also announced a rebranding as Orami.
KV Asia acquires Malaysia's TF Value-Mart
KV Asia Capital has acquired a controlling stake in TF Value-Mart, a leading hypermarket chain in Malaysia.
Lightstone Ventures raises $50m Singapore fund
Lightstone Ventures has closed a $50 million fund aimed at investments in Singapore-based companies in the life-science sector.
Denham-backed platform buys Vietnam hydro project
Nexif Energy, a Southeast Asia-based energy investment platform backed by Denham Capital, has bought a majority stake in a Vietnam hydropower project.
Rocket Internet raises $31.4m for property portal
Emerging markets property portal Lamudi has raised EUR29 million ($31.4 million) from its main backer, Germany's Rocket Internet, and several additional investors.
Q&A: KKR's David Liu and Ming Lu
David Liu and Ming Lu, who head up KKR’s private equity operations in Asia, discuss dislocation in China and its neighboring markets, engineering cross-border deal flow, and how GPs can differentiate themselves
Venturra leads $12m round for Malaysia's KFit
Venturra Capital has led a $12 million Series A round for Malaysia-based gym membership app KFit.
KKR exits Vietnam's Masan Consumer with over 2x return
KKR has fully exited Vietnam’s Masan Consumer Corp. (MCC), generating a more than 2x return on a $359 million investment made across two tranches in 2011 and 2013.
Jungle Ventures adds to management team
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures, which is currently raising its second fund, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new CFO, director of corporate development, and head of finance.
Singapore's Eyeota raises $7m Series A round
Global Brain, Infinity e.Ventures and Project A Ventures have committed $7 million in Series A funding to Singapore-based adtech company Eyeota.
CVC, Lippo postpone plan to exit Indonesia's Link Net
CVC Capital Partners and the Riady family's Lippo Group have suspended plans to sell their majority stake in Link Net, an Indonesian fixed-line broadband and cable TV operator.
LP interview: Hamilton Lane
In addition to an advisory business that targets large-scale LPs, Hamilton Lane has a discretionary portfolio geared towards the middle market. It expects Asian GPs in this space to adapt to changing dynamics
Indonesia's Kejora adds partner, targets $100m fund
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Group has hired Eri Reksoprodjo, formerly of Saratoga Capital, as a partner as it looks to raise up to $100 million for its first institutional fund.
Deal focus: Bain revives FCI in Asia
Bain Capital spent 10 years restructuring Europe-based FCI - more than returning its capital from divestments in the process - into an Asia-focused electronics business
Portfolio: Armstrong Asset Management and The Blue Circle
Thanks to a strong relationship between their respective founders, Armstrong Asset Management has helped The Blue Circle become an influential player in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy sector
Profile: Garena's Nick Nash
Nick Nash left a career with General Atlantic to work for one of the private equity firm’s portfolio companies. A year later he sees it as one of the best moves he’s ever made