Consumer
China gay dating app Blued raises $85m in US IPO
BlueCity Holdings, the VC-backed holding company for Chinese gay dating platform Blued, traded strongly after raising $84.8 million through a NASDSAQ IPO.
Deal focus: J-Star maneuvers Japan’s restaurant lull
J-Star's acquisition of Pepper Lunch is driven by a willingness to look past COVID-19 dislocations and focus on the long-term fundamentals of the fast-casual dining space in Japan
Chinese online art tutoring platform secures $40m
Meishubao, China’s leading online art education platform, has raised $40 million in an extended Series C round led by Tencent Holdings.
Investcorp leads $56m round for India co-living operator
Investcorp has led a $56 million Series C round for Indian managed co-living accommodation platform operator Zolo.
EQT revises offer for New Zealand’s Metlifecare
EQT has submitted a revised offer to acquire New Zealand retirement village player Metlifecare at a lower valuation after facing a legal challenge over its attempt to terminate a previously agreed deal.
Chinese online-plus-offline retailer KK Group raises $42m
Chinese retailer KK Group - formerly known as KK Guan - has raised RMB1 billion ($41.6 million) in funding led by CMC Capital. BA Capital and Ince Capital Partners also participated.
Japan's J-Star acquires Pepper Lunch
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has acquired regional restaurant chain Pepper Lunch for an undisclosed sum.
Investigation confirms fraud at China's Luckin Coffee
Private equity-backed Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has confirmed earlier suspicions of large-scale financial fraud in its operations, while a proposal to remove the company’s chairman failed to receive enough shareholder support.
PE-owned Australian swimwear brand enters administration
Seafolly, an Australian swimwear and beachwear brand owned by L Catterton Asia, has entered administration, citing the “crippling financial impact” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MBK-owned Accordia Golf to buy courses from Singapore trust
Japan’s Accordia Golf, which was acquired by MBK Partners in 2017, has agreed a S$804.1 million ($577 million) privatization of a Singapore-listed trust it established six years ago as the holding entity for 88 golf courses.
Deal focus: A91 spices up its portfolio
In backing spices maker Pushp, A91 Partners has gained exposure to what might be the most profitable segment of India's broader food space, with margins comparable to those for cosmetics
Lever launches China alternative protein fund
Hong Kong and US-based food technology investor Lever VC has launched a RMB200 million ($28 million) fund dedicated to Chinese plant-based meat start-ups.
China education player Zuoyebang raises $750m
Zuoyebang, a Chinese K-12 education platform that spun out from domestic search giant Baidu, has raised $750 million in Series E funding led by Fountainvest Partners and Tiger Global Management.
Bond Capital backs India education platform Byju's
Bond Capital, the technology investment firm established by Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker, has struck its debut deal in India with a commitment to online learning provider Byju’s.
CLSA acquires Japan household jobs marketplace
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Assist, a Japanese marketplace that facilitates sourcing helpers for daily household jobs.
China LGBTQ investments: Pink power
There has been little VC investment in Chinese LGBTQ social platforms since 2017 due to regulatory concerns. Will gay dating site Blued’s US IPO reignite interest in the space?
Southern Capital, HPEF agree exit from Singapore school
Southern Capital Group and HPEF Capital Partners – formerly Headland Capital Partners – have agreed to sell Singapore-based Canadian International School (CIS) to Hong Kong-listed China Maple Leaf Educational Systems for S$680 million ($488 million),...
A91 invests $16m in India spices maker
India’s A91 Partners has invested INR1.2 billion ($16.4 million) in local spices and condiments brand Pushp.
Ascendent to exit China dairy player through $240m trade sale
Ascendent Capital Partners has agreed to make a full exit from Chinese dairy producer Ningxia Harmony Dairy Development with New Hope Dairy set to buy the business for an enterprise valuation of RMB1.7 billion ($240 million).
Japan’s Daiwa backs Vietnam cinema operator
Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group has invested $8 million in Vietnam cinema chain operator Beta Media via its private equity unit.
Mercury buys Bauer Media’s Australia, New Zealand assets
Sydney-based private equity firm Mercury Capital has agreed to acquire the Australia and New Zealand assets of Germany’s Bauer Media, including an extensive magazine portfolio.
PE investors agree $8.7b take-private of China's 58.com
58.com, China’s leading online classifieds marketplace, has agreed to be acquired by a consortium of private equity investors at an implied equity valuation of $8.7 billion.
Asia gyms: Muscling through the mire
Fitness centers have continued to woo investors during COVID-19 despite patchy progress in the reopening of gyms and difficult-to-digitize business models
US-Singapore food tech fund to target Asia
Big Idea Ventures, a US and Singapore-based food technology investor, has launched its debut fund with a target of $50 million. Asia is a core market.