Cleantech
Blackstone backs Australia, US clean commodities platform
The Blackstone Group has led a USD 400m investment in Xpansiv, an Australia and US-based marketplace for trading clean commodities such as carbon offsets, renewable energy credits (RECs), and low-carbon fuels.
PAG launches Asia renewables platform
PAG plans to commit more than USD 1bn to renewables over the next several years with the launch of a platform dedicated to the development, construction, and operation of projects in Asia.
Sequoia, Dayone back China solid state battery developer
China-based Enpower Greentech, which claims to be a pioneer in next-generation all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), has raised more than USD 20m in an extended Series A round led by Sequoia Capital China and Dayone Capital.
China bio-manufacturing start-up Mojia raises $80m
Temasek Holdings has led a USD 80m Series B round for Shanghai-based bio-manufacturing start-up Mojia Biotech.
Deal focus: TH Capital identifies key niche in energy storage
Zhongchu Guoneng Technology is leading China’s push into compressed air energy storage as a means of harnessing fast-rising yet unstable wind and solar capacity. Tsinghua Holdings Capital is among the backers
Hillhouse reaches first close on China carbon neutrality fund
Hillhouse Capital has reached the first close on its debut renminbi-denominated carbon neutrality fund, which has an overall target of around CNY 4bn (USD 597m).
Sequoia China leads $210m Series A for Envision Digital
Sequoia Capital China has led a USD 210m Series A round for Envision Digital, a Singapore-based technology developer focused on helping organisations achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Temasek launches decarbonisation investment platform
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has committed an initial SGD 5bn to a newly launched platform designed to make investments that accelerate decarbonisation globally.
China energy storage start-up gets $48m pre-Series A
Zhongchu Guoneng Technology (ZGT), a China-based energy storage company, has raised CNY 320m (USD 48m) in pre-Series A funding led by Tsinghua Holdings Capital.
India EV ride-hailing start-up raises $50m
BluSmart, which claims to be India’s first integrated electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing and charging business, has closed a USD 50m Series A round led by BP Ventures and local cleantech investor Green Frontier Fund.
Skip leads Series B for Australia utilities SaaS platform
Skip Capital, a private investment firm established by Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar, has led a USD 14m Series B round for Neara, an Australian software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that serves utilities.
China’s Primavera seeks $1.5b for carbon neutrality fund
China-focused Primavera Capital Group is looking to raise approximately CNY 10bn (USD 1.5bn) for a carbon neutrality fund, emphasising the increased popularity of sustainability strategies among local private equity investors.
Australian crop monitoring start-up gets $38m Series B
Regrow, an Australian-based sustainable agriculture start-up, has raised USD 38m in Series B funding led by Galvanize Climate Solutions, Rethink Impact, and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff’s Time Ventures.
Mitsui, Nomura acquire real assets manager New Forests
Japan’s Mitsui & Co. and Nomura Holdings have agreed to acquire 100% of New Forests, an Australia-headquartered sustainable real assets investment manager focused on forestry, land management, and conservation.
India’s NIIF joins $128m round for Ather Energy
India’s National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIFL) has participated in a USD 128m funding round for Ather Energy, a leading domestic manufacturer of two-wheel electric vehicles (EV).
Singapore VC closes food tech fund at $34m
Singapore’s Good Startup, a food technology investor focused on alternative protein, has closed its debut VC fund with USD 34m in commitments.
GIP, AGL commit $1.4b to Australia renewables
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has joined a AUD 2bn (USD 1.4bn) Australian renewable energy development program alongside local utility AGL Energy.
LP interview: British International Investment
British International Investment, formerly CDC Group, is doubling down on an already massive Asia program as it heeds the call for climate action. Specialist funds are the priority
Actis sells India renewables platform to Shell for $1.55b
Actis has sold Indian renewables platform Sprng Energy, including its flagship solar business Solenergi Power, to Shell Overseas investment for USD 1.55bn.
TPG Rise Climate closes on $7.3b
TPG has raised USD 7.3bn for a dedicated climate-focused strategy under its USD 14bn global impact investment platform.
IFC looks to back Circulate Capital's second fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed a USD 10m commitment to Singapore-based Circulate Capital’s second fund dedicated to reducing plastics pollution.
Aavishkaar hits $130m first close on latest India impact fund
Aavishkaar Capital has reached a first close of INR 10bn (USD 130m) on its latest India impact fund. It is reportedly targeting a final close of USD 200m.
Deal focus: India EV set for mass mobility boom
India’s EverSource Capital sees a fast track to auto industry electrification in the B2B fleet services of Lithium Urban Technologies. The company plans more than fivefold growth in the next few years
China EV maker Eezi raises $78m
Shenzhen-based electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturer Eezi has raised a CNY 500m (USD 78m) pre-A round led by China Merchants Venture.