Cleantech
Corporate VCs & climate change: Good citizens
Increased climate change awareness on a corporate level is leading to more investment – either direct or through funds – in start-ups that offer mitigation solutions. Asia is a key geography
Deal focus: Putting Asia on the air mobility map
Japan’s SkyDrive leads Asia in the niche but potentially society-altering category of flying cars. A $37 million Series B round marks the latest step in a long safety build-out and public acceptance process
Affirma to exit Korea waste management business
Affirma Capital – formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity – has agreed to sell EMC Holdings, a South Korea-based waste and wastewater treatment business, to a unit of local conglomerate SK Corporation.
Japan flying car developer gets $37m Series B
Development Bank of Japan has joined a JPY3.9 billion ($37 million) Series B round for Tokyo-based flying car developer SkyDrive.
Japan's J-Star acquires waste management business
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has acquired local waste management operator Sincere Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
Lever VC reaches $23m first close on food fund
Lever VC, a Hong Kong and US-based food tech specialist, has confirmed a $23 million first close for its debut fund, which will invest alternative protein start-ups globally with a strong focus on China.
Start-up profiles: Sustainability agendas
Early-stage innovators across the region are leveraging both enterprise and consumer-facing models to address sustainability challenges with one eye on rapid commercialization
Q&A: Circulate Capital's Rob Kaplan
Rob Kaplan is CEO of Singapore’s Circulate Capital, which is dedicated to reducing oceanic plastic pollution. Its $150 million debut fund is backed by the likes of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Unilever
India clean energy: Shock treatment
The economic fallout from COVID-19 will not spare any sector, but careful planning can ensure private equity firms can take advantage of India’s ambitious energy transition goals
China clean energy: Policy power
China’s aggressive renewable energy development targets are creating opportunities for investors in various points along the supply chain, but inconsistent regulation remains a concern
Actis acquires two solar assets in India
Actis Capital has acquired a 400 megawatt portfolio of operating solar projects in central India from Acme Solar.
Chinese EV manufacturer Xpeng pursues US IPO
Xpeng Motors, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer backed by Alibaba Group and several PE and VC firms, has filed for a US IPO.
LPs & climate change risk: Numbers game
With more information at their fingertips, institutional investors are better positioned to understand and act on climate risks and opportunities in their portfolios. But private markets are still playing catchup
Hana invests $85m in Asia renewables platform
Hana Financial has invested KRW100 billion ($85 million) in a portfolio of Korean waste to energy (WTE) projects being developed by Equis Development.
China launches $12b National Green Development Fund
China has raised an initial RMB88 billion ($12.6 billion) for the first dedicated environmental fund launched by the central government.
Investors commit $500m to China EV maker Xpeng
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng Motors has closed an extended Series C round of around $500 million from a group that includes Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia Capital China, as well as hedge funds Aspex Management and Coatue Management.
Clime seeks $50m for Southeast Asia clean energy fund
Clime Capital, a newly established cleantech investor based in Singapore, has launched a clean energy fund for Southeast Asia targeting $50 million.
Rise Fund buys solar plants from Chinese developer
The Rise Fund, TPG’s impact investment business, has purchased solar projects with a combined capacity of 970 megawatts from China-based Trina Solar for approximately $700 million.
Lever launches China alternative protein fund
Hong Kong and US-based food technology investor Lever VC has launched a RMB200 million ($28 million) fund dedicated to Chinese plant-based meat start-ups.
Australia cleantech start-up secures $7m
Horizons Ventures – a VC firm controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing – has joined a A$10 million ($7 million) round for an Australian start-up specializing in fungi-based carbon capture technology.
US-Singapore food tech fund to target Asia
Big Idea Ventures, a US and Singapore-based food technology investor, has launched its debut fund with a target of $50 million. Asia is a core market.
Cathay Capital raises $120m for China smart energy fund
Cathay Capital Private Equity has raised RMB820 million ($120 million) for its debut China smart energy fund, securing commitments from ALIAD, the venture capital arm of French industrial gases producer Air Liquide Group, among other investors.
Geely EV rental spin-out secures $97m Series A
Xiaolinggou Chuxing, the electric vehicle (EV) rental unit of Chinese carmaker Geely Auto Group, has raised RMB688 million ($97 million) in a Series A funding.
Japan agtech player raises $7m Series A
Japan’s Beyond Next Ventures has led a JPY800 billion ($7.4 million) Series A round for local cell-based agricultural technology specialist IntegriCulture.
