Consumer
Alibaba to invest $692m in GIC-backed Intime Retail
Alibaba Group will invest HK$5.37 billion ($692 million) for a 34% stake in Intime Retail Group, a Chinese department store operator backed by Singapore’s GIC Private.
Japan flea market app raises $14m for US expansion
Mercari, the Japanese start-up behind the mobile flea market app of the same name, has raised JPY1.45 billion ($14.1 million) from Global Brain, Globis Capital Partners, Itochu Technology Venture, GMO Venture Partners, and other unnamed investors.
PEP, Unitas file counter claim over Independent Liquor sale
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital have filed a cross claim against two senior Asahi executives in Australasia regarding their involvement in the Japanese company’s purchase of Independent Liquor from the private equity firms in 2011.
CHAMP PE gets GE financing for Accolade Wines expansion
CHAMP Private Equity has secured $300 million in cross-border financing from GE Capital International for Accolade Wines, the firm behind mass-market brands such as Hardys and Banrock Station.
Nexus, Avalon re-up in big data platform Indix
Nexus Venture Partners and Avalon Ventures have re-upped their investment in India-based big data firm Indix Corporation via a $8.5 million Series A-1 round of funding.
Baring Asia-backed Nord Anglia raises $304m, jumps on debut
Nord Anglia Education, a school operator controlled by Baring Private Equity Asia, saw its shares close up 12.5% on the first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. This followed an IPO that raised $304 million.
L Capital looks to take Dr. Wu beyond Taiwan
While Taiwan's skincare and cosmetics brands are much more developed than their Chinese counterparts, upward potential is limited. L Capital Asia, a PE firm backed by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, therefore needed a different investment thesis.
India start-up targets tea change
Building a business around tea was a logical move for Kaushal Dugar when he left his job as a corporate finance analyst in Singapore to become an entrepreneur back home in India. It has been part of the family business for 80 years. But tea plus e-commerce...
Zoyi secures first China-Taiwan deal
Of the cluster of China control deals to emerge in the last few years, a small but significant number can be traced back to Taiwan. These are often family-owned mid-size businesses that were early entrants into mainland China, searching for lower-cost...
Northstar enters Southeast Asia VC space
The Northstar Group, a Singapore-headquartered private equity firm with significant interests in Indonesia, is expanding its franchise to include venture capital. The VC unit is called Silicon Island, in reference to Singapore’s ambition to become a regional...
ClearVue leads new round for China online fruit store
ClearVue Partners has led a round of funding for Fruitday, a Chinese fresh fruit online store, followed by SIG Asia Investments.
DCM leads $8m round for Chinese property portal
Meiaoju, a Chinese online platform for buyers seeking property overseas, has received a RMB50 million ($8 million) Series A round of funding led by DCM.
Temasek pays $5.7b for stake in Li Ka-Shing's A.S. Watson
Temasek Holdings has agreed to buy a 24.95% stake in A.S. Watson, a health and beauty retailer owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-Shing, for HK$44 billion ($5.7 billion). A.S. Watson was seeking a dual listing in Hong Kong and London but this plan has now...
Temasek to invest $150m in China Huiyuan Juice
Temasek Holdings plans to invest $150 million in China Huiyuan Juice, a Hong Kong-listed fruit juice producer that is a portfolio company of SAIF Partners.
Tiantu invests $16m in Sichuan seasoning maker
Chinese consumer-focused PE firm Tiantu Capital has committed RMB100 million ($16 million) in Series A funding to Sichuan Gaofuji Food, a food sauces and seasoning manufacturer.
Jafco-backed Fixsters, Shirohato file for Tokyo IPOs
Japanese venture capital investor Jafco will see two portfolio companies - software firm Fixstars and online lingerie retailer Shirohato - launch their Tokyo IPOs on the same day next month.
Zoyi takes controlling stake in niche Chinese apparel brand
Zoyi Capital, the PE firm set up by Andrew Kuo, formerly of The Blackstone Group, has made its debut investment in Pink Mary, a Chinese manufacturer and distributor of high-end women’s apparel.
India's WestBridge to invest in Mayur Uniquoters
WestBridge Capital has acquired a 4% stake in Mayur Uniquoters, an India-based manufacturer of imitation leather, for INR400 million ($6.5 million), while agreeing to invest INR700 million in the firm via a preferential allotment.
L Capital Asia invests $25m in Taiwan skincare brand
L Capital Asia, a private equity firm backed by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has invested NTD750 million ($25 million) for a significant minority stake in Dr. Wu, a Taiwanese clinical skincare brand.
CITIC Capital invests $15m in China education play
CITIC Capital has invested over RMB100 million ($15 million) in a Series A round of funding for Chinese vocational training provider Shsun Education Group.
Kalaari leads $10m round for Indian online jeweler
Kalaari Capital has led a $10 million round of funding for India-based online jeweler Bluestone.com. Existing investors Accel Partners and Saama Capital also took part in the round.
CVC completes China dumpling chain buyout
CVC Capital Partners has confirmed the acquisition of Da Niang Dumpling Holdings, a Chinese quick service restaurant operator. The investment – CVC’s third China control deal in recent months – was completed in December and was reported by local media...
Accel India, Horizen Ventures back tea commerce start-up
Accel Partners India and Horizen Ventures have together invested $1 million in Teabox, a start-up that operates out of Singapore and Bangalore.
Baring Asia, Hony agree Giant Interactive take-private
Chinese online game developer Giant Interactive has accepted a buyout offer from a consortium including Baring Private Equity Asia, Hony Capital and company management. It values the New York Stock Exchange-listed business at approximately $2.9 billion....