Consumer
Australia’s Canva raises $70m at $2.5b valuation
Australian graphic design start-up Canva has raised $70 million from investors including US-based General Catalyst and Bond Capital, the new vehicle of Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker. It values Canva at $2.5 billion.
Wu Capital leads round for Chinese vocational training business
Sanjieke, a China-based vocational training services provider, has raised an RMB130 million ($19 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Wu Capital.
China's Luckin Coffee gains 20% after upsized IPO
China’s second largest coffee chain Luckin Coffee, which counts Centurium Capital and Joy Capital among its private equity investors, surged around 20% on its US debut following a $561 million IPO.
GIC, Tata to invest $573m in India hotels
Singapore’s GIC Private has partnered with the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), a hospitality unit of India’s Tata Group, for an Indian hotel platform that will invest INR40 billion ($573 million) over the next three years.
Qiming leads Series B for Chinese hospital chain operator
Qiming Venture Partners has led a Series B round of nearly RMB100 million ($14 million) for Shanghai-based private hospital chain operator SinoUnited Health.
Vietnam inbound investment: Regional rivals
Strategic interest in Vietnam is growing, especially among companies within Asia looking to tap growth no longer available at home. PE investors see them as partners – and sometimes as competitors
SoftBank leads $200m round for India's Grofers
Indian online grocer Grofers has raised more than $200 million in a Series F funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
Chinese IT equipment rental company raises Series B
China-based Little Bear Rental, which provides IT equipment services to corporates, has raised hundreds of millions of renminbi (over $14 million) in a Series B round of funding led by the Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises Development Fund - a government...
Hong Kong fintech player YouTrip gets $25.5m
Insignia Ventures Partners has joined a $25.5 million seed round for YouTrip, a Hong Kong-based financial technology company focused on travelers in Singapore.
Vietnam outbound expansion: Brands apart
A booming domestic market and lack of success stories will likely keep outbound expansion a low priority for Vietnam’s investors and entrepreneurs until a suitable market niche can be found
L Catterton's Asia team to spin-out, raise growth fund
The bulk of the L Capital Asia team that merged with Catterton in 2016 to form L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm, is spinning out to raise a $750 million Asia growth fund.
Temasek, Horizon lead $300m round for Impossible Foods
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and Horizon Ventures have led a $300 million round for Impossible Foods, a US vegetarian food technology company expanding into Asia.
CITIC Capital invests in Singapore marketing firm
CITIC Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in Cityneon, an entertainment media-focused marketing firm based in Singapore.
Mekong invests in Vietnam pizza chain
Mekong Capital has invested an undisclosed amount in Pizza 4P’s, a Vietnamese farm-to-table pizza restaurant chain.
China social e-commerce player Beidian gets $126m
Beidian, a Chinese membership-only social e-commerce website, has raised RMB860 million ($126 million) from a group including Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia China Capital.
Chinese online education player Baijiahulian files for US IPO
Baijiahulian, a Chinese online education platform that provides after-school tutoring services for primary and secondary school students, has filed for a US IPO. The company’s backers include Gaorong Capital.
Asia fintech player GoBear raises $80m
GoBear, an online financial products marketplace focused on young Asian consumers, has raised $80 million from its Netherlands-based sponsors Walvis Participaties and Aegon.
Qiming re-ups in Chinese car rental platform Zuzuche
China-based third-party car rental platform Zuzuche has received Series C funding from Qiming Venture Partners.
Accel, Kalaari, Chiratae invest in India's CureFit
Indian health and fitness start-up CureFit has raised $75 million from a group of investors including Accel Partners, Kalaari Capital, and Chiratae Ventures.
Pakistan ride hailing and courier app secures Series A
Bykea, a Pakistan-based online platform for on-demand transport and logistics, has raised a $5.7 million Series A round led by Sarmayacar, a European venture capital investor focused exclusively on Pakistan.
China’s Green Harbor acquires fashion label Jason Wu
China-based private equity firm Green Harbor Investment has acquired a controlling stake in American women’s wear brand Jason Wu for an undisclosed sum.
Deal focus: Gaosi Education stresses its B2B credentials
As China's mainstream online tuition players battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of end users, Gaosi Education found a niche targeting the B2B market. It recently raised $140 million to accelerate expansion
PE-backed Chinese cosmetic surgery platform surges on US debut
So-Young International, a Chinese online marketplace specializing in cosmetic surgery, surged over 33% on its trading debut following a $166.8 million IPO on NASDAQ.
Deal focus: Blackstone takes over EPL’s packaging empire
The Blackstone Group has agreed to buy an Indian packaging manufacturer that provides tubes for 40% of the world's toothpaste. The goal is to turn it into a true multinational
