Cleantech
India's EverSource acquires local EV fleet operator
India’s EverSource Capital has acquired a majority stake in Lithium Urban Technologies, a local electric vehicle (EV) fleet and charging infrastructure operator, for an undisclosed sum.
Australia's AGL rejects Brookfield, Grok Ventures bid
Australia-based utility AGL Energy has rebuffed another acquisition attempt from Brookfield Asset Management and Grok Ventures, a private investment firm established by Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian.
Deal focus: Affirma sees promise in Asia e-scooters
Affirma Capital has led a USD 93m Series B round for Singapore-based e-scooter provider Beam, citing its ability to internationalise a locally-focused and increasingly popular business model
CLSA launches $500m China growth fund
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has launched a China growth fund focused on healthcare, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, tech-enabled media. The target is USD 500m.
Infrastructure: Out of the comfort zone
Infrastructure managers in Australia are pushing into the PE space, competing with GPs for assets and buying businesses from them. It falls under the core-plus umbrella, but is the definition being stretched too far?
IFM's decarbonisation credentials attract Australian LPs
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed AUD 80m (USD 57.5m) to IFM Investors’ mid-market growth fund, which achieved a second close of AUD 380m at the end of 2021.
Navis poised for 6x return on TES-Envirocorp
Navis Capital Partners is set to generate a 6x return on its investment in Singapore-based TES-Enivrocorp, following an agreement to sell the environmental services provider to Korea’s SK Ecoplant at a valuation of USD 1bn.
Singapore's Next Gen Foods raises $100m Series A
Singapore-based Next Gen Foods, maker of vegetarian chicken brand Tindle, has raised a USD 100m Series A round featuring GGV Capital and Temasek Holdings’ Asia Sustainable Foods Platform.
Korea's Envisioning Partners raises $64m climate tech fund
Envisioning Partners, a Korean impact venture capital firm set up last year, has raised KRW 76.8bn (USD 64m) for a climate-focused tech fund, beating a target of USD 60m.
CR Capital joins Series E for China's Newlinks
CR Capital Management, an investment arm of China Resources Group, is backing Newlink Group, operator of a platform that helps drivers locate the best value gas stations and charging piles, as part of the company's Series E round.
EverSource closes India climate impact fund on $741m
EverSource Capital has reached a final close of USD 741m on what is being called India’s largest climate impact fund.
China's Dishangtie Car Rental raises $200m
Dishangtie Car Rental, a Shenzhen-based electric vehicle (EV) rental service, has raised a USD 200m Series D round across two tranches featuring CICC Capital.
Global Brain, Mitsubishi launch $44m VC fund
Japan’s Global Brain and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have established a corporate VC fund that aims to invest JPY 5bn (USD 43.7m) globally over the next 10 years. Global Brain will act as manager.
China plant-based protein player Starfield raises $100m
Primavera Capital Group has led a USD 100m Series B for Starfield, a Chinese producer of plant-based meats.
India waste management software provider secures $22m
Recykal, a software provider for the waste management and recycling industries, has raised USD 22m in funding led by Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure.
China sustainability start-up Bluepha raises $235m
Bluepha, a China-based synthetic biology company working on a range of biodegradable plastics, has raised a three-tranche Series B of CNY 1.5bn (USD 235m).
Japan's Advantage raises renewables-focused SPAC
Advantage Partners has raised $150 million for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will target de-carbonization and renewable energy-related assets with a focus on Asia ex-China and Europe.
2022 preview: China sustainability
Green-tech investment, from electric vehicles to renewable energy, is already in the ascendency as China ponders a carbon-neutral future. Momentum is expected to grow in 2022
Circulate hits second close on climate tech fund
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based GP dedicated to reducing plastics pollution, has reached a second close of $25 million on its second fund.
Fund focus: Lightspeed bets on green-tech
Green-tech is the latest big idea being championed by Lightspeed China Partners. It has inspired a change in the firm’s name and it will underpin deployment of the new $920 million fund
China cleantech: Policy tailwinds
Private equity investment in China cleantech and renewables is at record levels, spurred by robust government support for the industry and a recognition that this time the boom might be sustainable
CDC expands Asia footprint
UK development finance institution CDC Group, already an active investor in South Asia, has announced a strategic pivot toward the broader region with a special interest in Southeast Asia.
Singapore bio-plastics developer RWDC raises $95m
Singapore’s RWDC Industries, a developer of biodegradable plastics, has raised a $95.1 million round led by Temasek Holdings and Vickers Venture Partners.
Deal focus: Quiet confidence persists in hydrogen power
H3 Dynamics is bringing hydrogen-powered delivery drones to Asia’s crammed megacities as a steppingstone to a cleaner aviation sector. This is a sweet spot for Hong Kong’s Audacy Ventures