Consumer
Australia cultured meat start-up gets $49m Series A
Blackbird and Prosperity7 Ventures, a unit of Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, have led a USD 49.2m Series A round for Australian cell-cultured meat company Vow.
Fortress to buy Sogo & Seibu from Japan's Seven & i
Seven & i Holdings, a Japanese retail conglomerate best known as the parent company of 7-Eleven, has agreed to sell department store operator Sogo & Seibu to Fortress Investment Group.
Indonesia's Blibli completes $509m IPO
Indonesian e-commerce marketplace Blibli posted a small gain on its first day of trading on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) following a IDR 7.99trn (USD 509) IPO, the second-largest of the year in Jakarta.
China's Giant Biogene trades up after $70m Hong Kong IPO
Giant Biogene, a China-based producer of skin treatments that use bioactive ingredients, gained nearly 10% on debut following a HKD 549.4m (USD 70m) Hong Kong IPO.
Dayone invests $63m in China liquor brand
China’s Dayone Capital has committed CNY 600m (USD 83m) to Guizhou Zhengong Spirits, a producer of mid- to high-end sauce-flavoured liquor, in what is described as an initial funding round.
Investors endorse 'long Chinese' thesis - AVCJ webinar
The shift from “long China” to “long Chinese,” which has gained traction as a soundbite as investors look to back local entrepreneurs in overseas markets, was highlighted once again during AVCJ’s China Private Markets Outlook webinar.
L Catterton hits first close on debut renminbi fund
L Catterton, a global private equity firm dedicated to consumer-focused investments, has reached a first close on its debut renminbi-denominated fund. The overall target is CNY 2bn (USD 275m).
Altos, Mirae join $85m round for Korea sneaker trading platform
Kream, a Korea-based sneaker reselling business controlled by domestic internet giant Naver, has announced plans to raise KRW 170bn (USD 84m) from Altos Ventures, Mirae Asset, and its parent company.
Quadrant spins Australia car services business into continuation fund
Quadrant Private Equity has closed a AUD 255m (USD 165m) single asset continuation fund for MotorOne, an Australia-based automotive after-market services provider it has owned since 2016.
Sport investment: Into the value chain
Investors are increasingly drawn to the structural nuances, sticky customer bases, and long tail of ancillary opportunities that exist around professional sports. Asia’s role is small but growing
China used goods platform Plum gets $100m Series C
Plum, a China-based online retailer specialising in second-hand apparel and accessories, has raised USD 100m series C funding led by Zhuanzhuan Group, another used goods marketplace.
China's Bright Capital raises $137m
China-based venture capital firm Bright Capital has raised CNY 1bn (USD 137m) across two funds - its third renminbi-denominated vehicle and its first US dollar fund.
Warburg Pincus, Malabar commit $60m to India wearables brand
Warburg Pincus and Malabar Investments have injected USD 60m into boAT, an India-based manufacturer of wearables and other electronic devices that was previously on track for an IPO.
India's Jashvik Capital reaches first close on debut PE fund
India’s Jashvik Capital, a private equity firm set up by Naresh Patawari, formerly a partner at TA Associates, has achieved a first close of undisclosed size on its debut fund. The target is USD 350m.
65 Equity invests $107m in Singapore's Cityneon
Temasek Holdings-backed 65 Equity Partners has invested SGD 150m (USD 107m) in Singapore’s Cityneon, a company that markets entertainment brands by staging elaborate events, displays, and exhibitions.
Pavilion backs Singapore influencer platform
Temasek Holdings-owned Pavilion Capital has joined a USD 7m round for Singapore’s Partipost, which claims to be Asia’s fastest-growing crowd influencer marketing and commerce platform.
Globis leads $22m Series C for Japan's Trend Express
Globis Capital Partners has led JPY 3.3bn (USD 22.1m) Series C round for Japan’s Trend Express, a cross-border marketing and data analysis platform focused on Japan-China tourism.
India's Ather Energy adds $50m to Series E
India’s Ather Energy, a two-wheel electric vehicle (EV) brand, has raised about USD 50m from existing investors, extending its Series E round to around USD 178m.
Horizons leads Series A for Australia's Nourish Ingredients
Nourish Ingredients, an Australia-based alternative protein start-up that uses synthetic biology to produce animal-free fats, has raised USD 28.6m in Series A funding.
Advantage recruits partner, co-head for Asia ex-Japan
Japan’s Advantage Partners has hired Rahul Bhargava, previously of ADV Partners, as a partner and co-head of Asia ex-Japan. It coincides with the acquisition of a Japanese jewellery industry supplier.
Korea pizza chain raises $25m for India push
Korea-headquartered pizza chain Gopizza has raised USD 25m in Series C funding from new and existing backers to drive an India expansion.
Fund focus: Local LPs lift Fireside to new heights
India’s Fireside Ventures has soaked up rising domestic investor appetite for start-ups with an outsized third vintage, claiming that its consumer brands thesis is beginning to bear fruit
India’s Byju’s raises $250m, ramps up overseas
Indian education technology provider Byju’s has raised USD 250m from existing investors with plans to expand its international business. Funding raised this year alone now tops USD 1bn.
Google backs India edtech player Adda247
Google has joined a INR 2.7bn (USD 35m) round for Adda247, an education technology start-up that claims to be India’s largest vernacular language exam preparation platform.