Consumer
Ant Capital acquires Japanese shoe maker MoonStar
Ant Capital has acquired a majority stake in 140-year-old Japanese shoe maker MoonStar from the founding family and other shareholders. Financial details were not disclosed.
Fosun VC, ChinaRock back Shijiebang Series A round
Fosun Venture Capital Investment, Fosun Group’s VC arm, and US-based ChinaRock Capital Management have invested in a Series A round of financing for online travel site Shijiebang. Angel investor Jerry Yang, co-founder and former CEO of Yahoo, also participated...
J-Star makes sweet exit from Tokachi
Gifts are a big part of Japanese tradition. Whether you are making an introduction, expressing thanks or simply marking a change in the seasons, an exchange of gifts is usually required. A large section of the country’s consumer sector relies on providing...
Affinity bets again on the protein theory
Having bought New Zealand poulty producer Tegel Foods and Australian deli meats specialist Primo Smallgoods, Affinity Equity Partners’ third pan-regional fund is already heavily invested in the Asian “protein theory.” Both companies are looking...
Chinese game developer Boyaa plans $133m HK IPO
Boyaa Interactive, a Chinese developer of online board and card games backed by Sequoia Capital, intends to raise as much as HK1.03 billion ($133 million) through an IPO in Hong Kong. It is the third game developer to pursue a listing in the city this...
CDH leads $20m round for movie ticket site Gewara.com
Existing investor CDH Investments has led a $20 million round of funding for Gewara.com, a Shanghai-based online movie ticket website.
Ant Capital exits cream puff maker Beard Papa
Ant Capital is exiting its 100% stake in Muginoho Holdings, the company behind Japanese cream puff brand Beard Papa, to instant food giant Nagatanien for JPY9.44 billion ($96 million).
Jafco-backed Ride On Express files for Japan IPO
Ride On Express, a Japanese food delivery franchise operator backed by Jafco Ventures, has filed for a Tokyo IPO.
KKR considers bid for Australia's Regis Aged Care - report
KKR is said to be interested in buying Macquarie Group’s take in Regis Aged Care, one of Australia's largest private senior care home operators. There is significant private equity interest in the aged care space, which is seen as ripe for consolidation.
INCJ invests $8m in Japanese mobile payment start-up
Government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY800 million ($8 million) in mobile payments processor Coiney.
J-Star completes $6.6m exit of sweets maker Tokachi
J-Star has completed its exit of a 100% stake Japanese sweet maker Tokachi to Tokyo-listed Mediaflag in deal valued at JPY644 million ($6.6 million). According to sources familiar with the matter, the GP has generated a 1.3x return on its investment.
Quadrant eyes aged care consolidation
Quadrant Private Equity completed its exit from New Zealand retirement village operator Summerset last week but demographics remain a prominent theme in the firm’s portfolio with the acquisition of Estia Health, an Australian aged-care provider.
India e-commerce: Sink or swim
India’s e-commerce sector is in the midst of consolidation. VC money continues to flow to the larger players but even they are examining their business models in a climate of higher operating costs
Baidu, VC-backed Qunar sets terms for $127m US IPO
Qunar, a Chinese-travel website majority-owned by internet search giant Baidu, is seeking to raise up to $127.8 million through its NASDAQ IPO. The company is also backed by GSR Ventures and GGV Capital, neither of which will sell any shares in the offering.
Chinese online marketplace 58.com sets terms for $165m US IPO
Chinese online marketplace 58.com is seeking raise up to $165 million through its New York Stock Exchange IPO. The company’s venture capital investors – Warburg Pincus, SAIF Partners and DCM – will not sell any of their shares in the offering.
Hutchison Whampoa abandons Parknshop sale plan
Hutchison Whampoa has abandoned plans to sell Hong Kong supermarket chain ParknShop, after it had reportedly attracted bids from the likes of KKR, TPG Capital and a number of strategic investors.
Helion, Blumberg invest $1.5m in India's Mygola for US expansion
Mygola.com, an Indian online travel planning start-up, has raised a $1.5 million Series A round led by Helion Venture Partners and including existing backer Blumberg Capital. The funding will be used to support the company's US expansion plans.
Global Brain invests $3.3m in Japan group buying site Luxa
Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain has invested JPY330 million ($3.3 million) in luxury group buying site Luxa through its KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
Matrix makes a booking with Stayzilla
The travel e-commerce market in India is booming but the technology which has made it possible is also leaving many behind. This is particularly visible is the hotel booking segment, where transactions frequently break down because establishments don't...
Ascendent backs Wumart as Chinese retailer buys CP Lotus stores
Ascendent Capital Partners (ACP) has acquired a stake in Chinese supermarket operator Wumart Stores, as Wumart moves to acquire 36 stores from retail firm CP Lotus Corp. for HK$2.3 billion ($302 million) through a share swap.
IDG commits $40m to Peking Duck restaurant chain Quanjude
IDG Capital Partners has invested RMB250 million ($40 million) in Chinese catering chain Quanjude - best known for its Peking Duck dishes - for a 5.78% stake.
China shopping search portal B5M raises $16m round
ClearVue Partners has led a $16 million Series B round of investment in Chinese shopping portal B5M.
Sierra Ventures leads Series C round for China's Social Touch
Chinese social marketing services provider Social Touch has raised $10 million in Series C funding from a group of investors led by Sierra Ventures. Legend Capital and GGV Capital, which backed the company in its previous two rounds, also participated.
Japan online fish seller raises $1.5m VC round
Hachimenroppi, a Japanese firm that operates an IT-enabled fresh fish distribution platform, has secured a JPY150 million ($1.5 million) round of investment from Pygmalion No 2, a venture fund managed by Tokyo-based firm Value Create. Two strategic investors...