Consumer
Deal focus: India’s Fashinza in vogue with VC
The appeal of the boutique brand ensures that fashion will always be a fragmented space. As e-commerce splinters the industry even further, India’s Fashinza aims to tie it all together
Portfolio: Investcorp and Viz Branz
War, climate change, and COVID-19 are twisting the outlook for Investcorp-owned instant food supplier Viz Branz. But an implacable China growth story has underpinned an aggressive expansion agenda
Singapore metaverse platform Bud raises $36.8m
Singapore-based metaverse user generated content (UGC) platform Bud has raised a Series B round of USD 36.8m led by Sequoia Capital India.
Thai food supply chain player secures $23.5m Series B
Openspace Ventures has participated in a USD 23.5m Series B funding round for Freshket, a Thailand-based farm-to-table agricultural supply chain start-up.
India’s Fashinza gets $100m Series B
Prosus Ventures and WestBridge Capital have led a USD 100m Series B round for India’s Fashinza, a B2B marketplace and supply chain platform for the fashion industry.
Vodafone New Zealand buys out PE partner in retail JV
Millennium Corp, a specialist technology, media, and telecom (TMT) investor operating in New Zealand and the Pacific region, has exited its 50% stake in Vodafone New Zealand’s retail stores.
Deal focus: Elevation targets Lumena uplift
Elevation Equity Partners sees Korean consumer electronics brand Lumena as a diamond in the rough, with high margins, quality products, and scope for domestic and international expansion
Singapore VC closes food tech fund at $34m
Singapore’s Good Startup, a food technology investor focused on alternative protein, has closed its debut VC fund with USD 34m in commitments.
Korean home interiors start-up gets $182m Series D
OHouse, a consumer-facing platform in South Korea used for sourcing materials and services relating to home furnishing and interior decorating, has raised USD 182m in Series D funding.
India dental start-up Toothsi raises $40m Series C
India’s Toothsi, a direct-to-consumer start-up that makes own-branded transparent dental aligners and braces, has raised a USD 40m Series C round featuring Eight Roads Ventures.
GD1 launches New Zealand's first crypto VC fund
New Zealand’s GD1 has launched what it calls the first dedicated crypto and Web3 VC fund in its home market less than a week after a similar claim by PAC Capital in Australia.
Bain sells Australia childcare business for $320m
Bain Capital has sold Australia-based daycare provider Only About Children (OAC) to US strategic investor Bright Horizons Family Solutions for AUD 450m (USD 320m).
India grocery delivery start-up Zepto gets $200m
Zepto, an Indian grocery app that claims it can deliver food in 10 minutes, has raised a USD 200m round led by Y Combinator at a valuation of USD 900m.
Singapore's Neuron Mobility gets $43.5m
Singapore-based e-scooter rental start-up Neuron Mobility has raised USD 43.5m in Series B funding co-led by GSR Ventures and Square Peg Capital.
Venturi closes debut SE Asia, India consumer fund on $175m
Venturi Partners, a Singapore-based consumer-focused investment firm established by a former Verlinvest executive in the region, has closed its debut fund on USD 175m.
VIG buys Korean healthy beverage brand
VIG Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Teazen, a South Korean producer of tea-based health drinks, for approximately USD 70m.
Venturi leads $55m Series C for Singapore's Believe
Venturi Partners, a consumer-focused investment firm established by a former Verlinvest executive in Asia, has led a USD 55m Series C round for Believe, a Singapore-based consumer products company aimed at Muslim consumers.
GIC spinout seeks $750m for SE Asia growth deals
Growtheum Capital Partners, a private equity firm established by the former head of GIC’s direct private equity investment group in Southeast Asia, has achieved a first close of approximately USD 400m on its debut fund.
Creaegis targets $500m India fund
Creaegis, an India-based private equity firm established by Prakash Parthasarathy, formerly founding CIO and managing partner of PremjiInvest, is looking to raise USD 500m for its debut fund.
DSG hits first close on fourth India, SE Asia consumer fund
DSG Consumer Partners has reached a first close of approximately USD 63m on its fourth fund, which will make early-stage consumer sector investments in India and Southeast Asia.
SIG leads $210m round for Philippines fintech player Voyager
Voyager Innovations, a Philippines financial technology company, has raised USD 210m led by SIG Venture Capital at a valuation of USD 1.4 bn.
China consumer: Brand power vs traffic might
Private equity investment in China’s consumer sector has fluctuated over the past 18 months in line with the fortunes of portfolio companies. Applying TMT logic to brand building didn’t help
Deal focus: Wholesum brings agglomeration to Korea
Drawing inspiration from US-based Thrasio and from his own background in special situations investing, Andrew Joo wants to turn Wholesum into a Korean multi-brand powerhouse
ShawKwei buys Australia beauty, healthcare company
ShawKwei & Partners has acquired Australia’s Rauxel, a beauty and healthcare industry supplier, for an undisclosed sum. It will be merged with existing portfolio company Icons Beauty Group.