Consumer
GL Ventures, Gaorong invest $80m in China's Kaikeba
Chinese vocational education platform Kaikeba has spun out from Huike Group and raised RMB550 million ($80 million) in Series A funding led by Gaorong Capital and GL Ventures, the VC unit of Hillhouse Capital.
KKR leads $150m round for China education platform
Huohua Siwei, a China-based children's online education platform specializing in mathematics and science, has raised $150 million in the first tranche of Series E led by KKR.
Hahn & Co buys Korean Air's catering, duty free businesses
Hahn & Company is making its second acquisition from South Korea’s Hanjin Group – six years after carving out the Hanjin Shipping bulk carrier business – having agreed to buy the in-flight catering and duty-free operations of Korean Air for KRW990.6...
PE-backed Kalyan Jewellers files for $235m IPO
Indian jewelry retailer Kalyan Jewellers, which counts Warburg Pincus among its investors, is looking to raise INR17.5 billion ($235.7 million) through a domestic IPO.
L Catterton Asia: Unhappy families?
The merger of Catterton and L Capital was unique in its size and scope, creating the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity firm. However, perspectives on the experience remain polarized
Fashion retailer C&A sells China business to local investor
Dutch fashion retailer C&A has agreed to sell its China business to Beijing Zhongke Tongrong Private Equity Investment Fund.
Partners Group-backed SPi completes India edtech bolt-on
SPi Global, a Philippines-based enterprise technology provider controlled by Partners Group, has paid an undisclosed sum for a majority stake in Indian education technology company LearningMate.
Southern Capital secures Malaysia creamer carve-out
Southern Capital Group has completed the MYR1 billion ($240 million) acquisition of F&B Nutrition – a producer of sweetened creamer, an oil-based equivalent of condensed milk – from Malaysian food packaging player Can-One International.
Reliance unit acquires India's Netmeds
Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL), a company associated with Jio Platforms, has acquired Indian VC-backed drug marketplace Netmeds.
Xiaomi-backed Soocas raises $25m pre-IPO round
Soocas, a Shenzhen-based electric toothbrush maker backed by smart phone maker Xiaomi has raised a RMB175 million ($25 million) pre-IPO round led by Grand Flight Investment Management.
China children's English education platform raises $120m
Chinese children's English education platform Palfish, also known as Banyu, has raised a $120 million Series C round led by Tao Zhang, founder of Dianping.com, and FutureX Capital.
Lever VC reaches $23m first close on food fund
Lever VC, a Hong Kong and US-based food tech specialist, has confirmed a $23 million first close for its debut fund, which will invest alternative protein start-ups globally with a strong focus on China.
India’s Lumikai launches gaming VC fund
Lumikai, an Indian venture capital firm, has launched a fund targeting local gaming and interactive entertainment start-ups. The size of the fund was not disclosed.
China’s JD.com acquires VC-backed logistics player
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has agreed to pay RMB3 billion ($432 million) for a controlling stake in Kuayue Express, a local VC-backed logistics operator.
WestBridge invests $75m in India’s IndiGo
India-focused WestBridge Capital has invested INR5.5 billion ($75 million) in budget airline operator IndiGo.
Duo of Indonesia fishery start-ups attracts funding
Northstar Group and Go-Ventures have led a Series B round of undisclosed size for Indonesia’s eFishery, while East Ventures has backed a $5.5 million Series A for fishing industry app Aruna.
Tencent plots merger of China live-streaming platforms
Tencent Holdings has proposed a merger of Douyu and Huya – China’s two largest game-centric live-streaming platforms. Both NASDAQ-listed companies have a number of VC investors.
Quadrant acquires Australia phone mount business
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has acquired a controlling stake in Quad Lock, a local smart phone accessories maker focused on device mounts for bikes and cars.
BGH to buy Australia's Village Roadshow for $543m
BGH Capital has agreed to acquire Australian cinema and theme park operator Village Roadshow for A$758 million ($543 million).
VinaCapital completes exit from Vietnam dairy producer
Vietnam’s VinaCapital and Japan’s Daiwa PI Partners have sold the remainder of their interest in Vietnamese dairy producer International Dairy Products (IDP).
China Resources consortium buys Hong Kong’s City Super
A consortium led by China Resources Capital (CR Capital) has agreed to acquire a 65% stake in Hong Kong retail and supermarket operator City Super Group.
India used car platform Spinny acquires rival Truebil
Indian online used car marketplace Spinny has acquired local counterpart Truebil, setting up several venture capital exits.
Tencent leads $360m round for China fresh produce retailer
Chinese fresh produce retailer Yipin Shengxian has raised a RMB2.5 billion ($360 million) Series C round led by Tencent Holdings and Capital Today. Eastern Bell Venture Capital re-upped.
Sustainable food: Forces of nature
Environmental considerations are intrinsic to food innovation investment strategy, not a public relations bonus. Science, society, and myriad motivations color a range of perspectives