Consumer
Singapore expands Block 71 tech start-up hub
Singapore start-up hub JTC LaunchPad @ one-north – better known to many as Block 71 – has been expanded to accommodate 500 companies and 35 incubators, with plans to create space for 250 more.
Frontier markets-focused classifieds platform receives $40m
Saltside Technologies, which operates online classifieds platforms in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana, has received a $40 million round of funding led by Chinese investor Hillhouse Capital.
L Capital Asia invests $100m in China mall operator Sasseur
L Capital Asia, a PE firm sponsored by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has invested more than $100 million in a second round of funding for Sasseur Group, a Chinese outlet shopping mall developer.
Capital Today, New Horizon lead $100m round for Beibei
Capital Today and New Horizon Capital have led a $100 million Series C round for Beibei.com, a Chinese online discount retail platform for maternity and baby products. Existing investors Banyan Capital and IDG Capital Partners also participated.
China's Hosen buys US beef processor
Chinese agritech-focused PE firm Hosen Capital has acquired Ruprecht, a US beef processor, for an undisclosed sum.
Bain completes exit from China's Gome
Bain Capital has made a full exit from Chinese retailer Gome Electrical Appliances Holding after selling its remaining shares for about HK$1.06 billion ($137 million).
Facebook co-founder, Velos back India start-up Hopscotch
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Singapore-based Velos Partners have committed $11 million in Series B funding to Indian babywear and kidswear retailer Hopscotch.
Creador, SMRT seek buyout of Malaysia’s Masterskill Education
Creador and SMRT Holdings have agreed to buy a 30.75% stake in Malaysia-based Masterskill Education Group from the major shareholder for MYR69.4 million ($19.2 million) and now plan on completing a full buyout of the business.
China’s ClearVue in cross-border cosmetics investment
Chinese GP ClearVue Partners has teamed up with US-based Catterton to provide a round of funding for Intercos, a European manufacturer of cosmetics and skincare products that wants to expand in China.
SBCVC leads $20m in China education platform Xuexibao
SoftBank China Venture Capital (SBCVC) has led a Series B round of funding worth $20 million for Xuexibao, a Chinese online education platform. Existing investor GSR Ventures also participated.
Tiger Global leads $100m round for India’s ShopClues
Tiger Global has a led a $100 million Series C round of funding for Clues Network, the US parent of Indian e-commerce platform ShopClues.
VC-backed China group-buying site Meituan raises $700m
Meituan.com, a Chinese group-buying site backed by Alibaba Group and several venture capital firms, has raised $700 million in a new funding round from undisclosed investors.
Club Med board recommends Fosun consortium's renewed offer
The board of French vacation resort operator Club Méditerranée (Club Med) has recommended that shareholders accept the most recent takeover offer from a consortium led by China's Fosun International.
SoftBank leads $600m round for China taxi-booking app Kuaidi Dache
SoftBank Group has agreed to lead a $600 million round of investment for Travice, operator and developer of Chinese taxi-booking app Kuadi Dache, with participation from existing backers Alibaba Group and Tiger Global Management.
L Capital Asia targets India e-commerce
L Capital Asia, a PE firm sponsored by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Group, could invest up to $150 million in India this year as it targets opportunities in the country's fast growing e-commerce sector.
VC-backed 51Talk acquires education counterpart 91Waijiao
51Talk.com, a Chinese online English-learning platform backed by several VC investors, has acquired industry peer 91Waijiao.com for an undisclosed sum.
India’s VC-backed Zomato acquires US-based Urbanspoon
Zomato, a VC-backed restaurant search service based in India, has acquired US-based counterpart Urbanspoon as it seeks to accelerate growth in overseas markets.
China e-commerce player WoWo files for US IPO
WoWo, which came to prominence as operator of the 55tuan group-buying site before expanding into a broader entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform, has filed for a US IPO.
JD, Tencent invest $1.55b in Chinese online auto platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com and its investor Tencent Holdings have formed strategic partnership with Bitauto, committing $1.55 billion in the auto e-commerce operator and its investment unit.
Hony scraps plan to purchase Chongqing hotpot chain
Hony Capital has abandoned its plan to buy Chongqing Cygnet Hotpot, a Chinese hotpot restaurant chain backed by Sequoia Capital and SIG Asia.
Alibaba to invest in Indian e-commerce, payments platform
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest at least $550 million in One97 Communications, owner of India-based mobile commerce platform and payments solution provider Paytm, which has several venture capital backers.
China food delivery app Line0 raises $30m
Chinese food delivery mobile app Line0 has completed a Series B round of funding worth $30 million, led by Tencent Holdings. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Gobi Partners also participated.
India's Lenskart raises $22m in Series C funding
Valyoo Technologies, the Indian start-up behind online eyewear retailer Lenskart, has raised INR13.5 billion ($21.9 million) in Series C funding led by TPG Capital's growth unit.
Jafco exits shredder maker to Japan Industrial Solutions
Jafco has exited Meiko Shokai, a Japanese manufacturer of document shredders, to turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) for an undisclosed sum.