Consumer
Vogo buys Korean lifestyle product maker Bodyfriend
Vogo Investment has acquired a controlling stake in Bodyfriend, South Korea's largest maker of massage chairs and other lifestyle products, in a management buyout.
China’s Dalian Wanda buys World Triathlon from Providence
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to buy World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the leading global operator of Ironman events, from Providence Equity Partners for $650 million.
Chinese food-ordering platform Ele.me raises $630m
Ele.me, a Chinese online food-ordering platform, has raised $630 million from a combination of new and existing investors. The investment reportedly values the business at more than $3 billion.
Asia e-commerce: The next generation
Most of emerging Asia’s e-commerce giants faced a binary choice between the asset-heavy online retail and asset-light marketplace models. Now, though, investors have a more nuanced opportunity set
Deal focus: RedMart channels the Amazon spirit
Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer, but it retains fleetness of foot that defies its size. This is based on the ability to embrace not only new technology but also innovative approaches to management. The “two-pizza rule” devised...
Loan or own? Chinese strategics offer debt to start-ups
As Chinese start-ups raise larger, later-stage rounds, strategic investors are looking to participate through structured debt products rather than through equity. This approach presents its own risks
Australia’s Anchorage agrees $150m Affinity Education deal
Anchorage Capital Partners has agreed to buy Affinity Education for A$208.3 million ($150 million) after the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company spurned a rival offer from G8 Education.
Ekuinas sells Burger King franchises in Malaysia, Singapore
Ekuinas, the Malaysian government-backed private equity investor, has sold the Burger King franchises in Malaysia and Singapore, generating proceeds of MYR74.6 million ($17.7 million).
VCs exit China online furniture retailer Meilele to strategic buyer
Several VC investors – including Lightspeed China Partners, Vertex Ventures and China Renaissance K2 Ventures – will exit Meilele as Shanghai-listed Guangdong Yihua Timber Industry agreed to buy an 18.21% stake in the online furniture retailer.
China online campus convenience store secures $31m
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a RMB200 million ($31 million) pre-Series B round of funding for 59store.com, a Chinese online convenience store focused on serving students.
Tata Opportunities Fund invests in Uber
Tata Capital will make a significant investment in ride-hailing service Uber through its Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF).
Singapore online grocer RedMart raises $26.7m
Singapore-based online grocery marketplace RedMart has raised $26.7 million in a bridge round from existing investors Garena Online, Softbank Ventures Korea and US-based Visionnaire Ventures.
Fund focus: Lightspeed gets traction in India
In 2010, Lightspeed Venture Partners concluded that it could more effectively tap China’s burgeoning technology space with a dedicated country fund. A China vehicle was duly launched and reached a final close in 2013 at $168 million.
China agriculture: Seeds of hope
Fragmentation and inefficiency have hampered Chinese agriculture for years, but a combination of policy reform and consumer demand may allow the sector to unlock its potential. Does private equity have the key?
Softbank, Foxconn, Alibaba lead $500m round for Snapdeal
SoftBank Group, Foxconn Technology Group and Alibaba Group have led a $500 million investment in Indian online marketplace Snapdeal.
Tiger invests $15m in Indian fashion site Roposo
Tiger Global has invested $15 million in Indian fashion-oriented social network Roposo.
PE-backed La Chapelle, Legend Capital launch PE fund
Hong Kong-listed Shanghai La Chapelle Fashion, a ladies' apparel maker backed by a string of PE investors, has partnered with Legend Capital to set up a PE fund worth RMB153 million ($24 million).
India's VC-backed Mobikon buys Singapore's Trii.be
Indian customer engagement and marketing platform Mobikon, which is backed by Jungle Ventures, has bought Singapore's feedback management start-up Trii.be.
India's AgroStar raises $3.6m from IDG Ventures, Aavishkaar
IDG Ventures has led a $3.6 million funding round for Indian agriculture-focused mobile commerce firm AgroStar, with participation by existing investor Aavishkaar Venture Management Services.
Bessemer leads $50m round for Indian online grocer
Indian online grocer BigBasket has raised a $50 million funding round led by existing investor Bessemer Venture Partners.
Indian payments security start-up raises $7.5m Series B round
Indian online payment security system developer OneAssist has raised a $7.5 million Series B round led by US insurance firm Assurant, with participation by existing investors Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
CITIC Goldstone leads $31m round in China’s Zhubaijia
Zhubaijia, a Chinese short-term vacation rentals platform, has raised RMB200 million ($31 million) in a Series B round of funding led by CITIC Securities’ direct investment arm Goldstone Investment.
Alibaba acquires 20% stake in Hony-backed Suning
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest RMB28.3 billion ($4.63 billion) in Suning Commerce, a leading Chinese consumer electronics retail chain backed by Hony Capital, in exchange for a 19.99% stake.
Japan sportswear firm buys PE-backed UK brand
Japanese sportswear company Descente has bought an 80% stake in UK sports brand Inov-8, providing an exit for the firm's private equity backer Livingbridge. The financial details were not disclosed.