Consumer
ESG: Selling sustainability
As demonstrated by CVC Capital Partners' experience with Softex Indonesia, cost savings are a good starting point when trying to convince Asia founders to embrace sustainability initiatives
Deal focus: V2Food tackles alternative protein’s price problem
Australia’s V2Food is bringing affordability to the alternative protein space as fresh funding fuels an Asian expansion. The China entry will be a delicate proposition
Chinese antique e-commerce start-up raises $80m Series C
Wanwu Dezhi, a Chinese e-commerce platform specializing in antiques, has closed a $80 million Series C round co-led by Huaxing Growth Capital and Source Code Capital.
Deal focus: Iron Pillar demonstrates conviction in FreshToHome
Social distancing is driving demand for FreshToHome's farm-to-fork fish and meat supply chain offering. The company's $121 million Series C will go towards expansion in India and the Middle East
Q&A: Investcorp's Duncan Zheng
Duncan Zheng, head of China private equity at Investcorp, observes that COVID-19 dislocation has created some timely inroads as the firm’s broader expansion agenda ramps up
LionRock acquires UK shoe brand, targets China expansion
LionRock Capital, an Asian private equity firm that invests in global consumer brands with a China growth angle, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in British shoe brand Clarks.
China cosmetics brand Perfect Diary files for US IPO
Yatsen Holding, the parent company of Chinese cosmetics brand Perfect Diary has filed for a US IPO, potentially delivering a liquidity event for the likes of Hillhouse Capital, ZhenFund and Gaorong Capital.
SSIAM, Daiwa hit first close on Vietnam fund
Hanoi-based SSI Asset Management (SSIAM) and Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group have reached a first close of undisclosed size on their third joint Vietnam private equity fund. The target is $100 million.
Chinese O2O retail platform Dmall gets $418m Series C
Dmall, a Chinese digital solutions provider for traditional retailers, has raised a Series C of RMB2.8 billion ($419 million) led by Industrial Bank and China Structural Reform Fund at a valuation of $2 billion.
Deal focus: Proterra whisks Asia supply chain for Eat Just
With China consuming more eggs per capita than its Western peers, Proterra Investment Partners sees strong growth potential for plant-based substitute Just Egg. The GP has committed $100 million to an Asia supply chain roll-out
Guy Hands buys Australian cattle business from Terra Firma
Guy Hands, chairman and CIO of Terra Firma, has acquired the UK-headquartered private equity firm’s position in Consolidated Pastoral (CPC), one of Australia’s largest cattle station operators, through his family office.
Chinese self-heating hotpot start-up gets $50m Series C
Zihaiguo, a Chinese start-up best-known for its line of self-heating hotpot products, has raised a $50 million Series C round led by CICC Capital at a valuation of $500 million.
Shunwei leads $22m round for Chinese fruit tea brand
Chinese fruit tea brand Sweet7 has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in funding led by Shunwei Capital, with participation from Insight Fund, a vehicle launched by financial advisor MM Capital.
India's FreshToHome raises $121m Series C
FreshToHome, an Indian food delivery platform backed by local VCs Iron Pillar and Ascent Capital, has raised a $121 million Series C round.
Square Peg joins $80m Series D for Australia's Rokt
Square Peg Capital and TDM Growth Partners have joined an $80 million Series D round for Australia e-commerce marketing technology provider Rokt.
Proterra supports plant-based egg start-up's Asia rollout
A consortium led by Proterra Investment Partners has committed $100 million to the establishment of an Asian unit of Eat Just, the company behind the US vegan egg substitute brand Just Egg.
Deal focus: Lyre’s opts for science instead of a still
Australia-founded beverages maker Lyre’s has raised $11.5 million in seed funding with a view to helping non-alcoholic spirits follow in the footsteps of alternative protein
Australia's V2Food raises $55m Series B
Australian alternative protein producer V2Food has raised a A$77 million ($55 million) Series B round featuring Sequoia Capital China and Temasek Holdings.
L Catterton exits RM Williams to Australian billionaire
L Catterton Asia has sold Australian bootmaker R.M. Williams to Tattarang, a private investment group established by Andrew Forrest, majority shareholder and former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group.
China's Miniso sees modest trading debut after $608m US IPO
Miniso, a Chinese low-cost retailer backed by Hillhouse Capital and Tencent Holdings, posted a small gain on its US trading debut following a $608 million IPO.
Singapore auto marketplace Carro raises $110m
Singapore used car marketplace Carro has raised S$150 million ($110 million) in debt and equity, including an unspecified equity contribution from Japan’s MS&AD Insurance and Mitsubishi Corp.
Vision Knight leads Series B for China education app
Shaonian Dedao, a Chinese education app for teenagers led by former CCTV host Quanlin Zhang, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Series B funding round led by Vision Knight Capital.
Deal focus: VR gaming comes of age
Japanese videogame publishing company Thirdverse believes the time is right to bring virtual reality entertainment to the masses. VCs with expertise in the sector are beginning to agree
Walmart, Flipkart re-up in India's Ninjacart
US retailer Walmart and Flipkart, its India-based e-commerce platform, have made an additional investment in local fresh produce delivery business Ninjacart.