Consumer
China agricultural services platform secures $29m round
Orchid Asia Group and China Growth Capital have jointly led a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round for Dafengshou, a Shenzhen-based agricultural supply chain service online platform. Existing investor Matrix Partners also participated.
Creditors take control of PE-owned Gerard Lighting
A creditor consortium led by Investec and Bain Capital Credit (BCC) has assumed full control of Gerard Lighting, an Australian light fittings distributor owned by CHAMP Private Equity.
China’s JD.com invests $397m in PE-backed Farfetch
China-based JD.com has invested $397 million in UK-based Farfetch, a PE-backed online luxury fashion retailer, as part of a new strategic partnership to pursue growth in China.
Southeast Asia tourism: Thinking small
Travel start-ups in Southeast Asia are attracting scattered but enthusiastic interest from venture capital investors. Success in navigating the sector’s early days will be a matter of niche targeting
China dating app Tantan raises $70m Series D
Chinese mobile dating app Tantan has raised $70 million in a Series D round of funding led by US-listed live video streaming firm YY and Genesis Capital, with participation from SAIF Partners China and Zhongwei Capital.
CLSA Capital invests in Japan beauty contact lenses maker
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested an undisclosed sum in El Dorado Group, a beauty contact lenses manufacturer based in Japan and Hong Kong.
Portfolio: Partners Group and Guardian Early Learning
Now on its third PE owner, Guardian Early Learning Group is building its unique brand identity in Australia’s busy childcare sector. The key has been for each party to respect the strengths and needs of the other
IFC set to back Morgan Stanley's $300m Thailand fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of up to $25 million in a Thailand-focused fund launched by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
MBK completes exit from Japan's Komeda with 5x return - update
MBK Partners has sold the remainder of its stake in Japan-based coffee shop chain Komeda Holdings JPY24.3 billion ($217 million), securing a 5x return on the overall investment.
CITIC Capital, FountainVest to exit China's Focus Media
CITIC Capital Partners and FountainVest Partners plan to exit their entire stakes in Focus Media - the Chinese outdoor advertising business they helped take private in the US and then re-list in Shenzhen two years ago - within six months.
China’s BeauCare Clinics secures $29m Series B
BeauCare Clinics, a Chinese plastic surgery clinic chain, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Series B round of funding led by GP Capital.
Bain continues to trim holding in Japan's Skylark
Bain Capital has made its second partial exit in three months from Japanese restaurant operator Skylark, receiving JPY41.6 billion ($373.6 million) and reducing its stake to approximately 15%.
PE-backed car auction player Mychebao receives $74m
Chinese second-hand car online auction platform Mychebao, which is backed by several PE investors including PAG Asia Capital, has raised another RMB500 million ($74 million) in an extended Series C round of funding.
China C2C used car platform Guazi raises $400m
Guazi, an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform that spun out from US-listed Chinese classifieds site 58.com, has completed a $400 million Series B round led by existing investor Sequoia Capital China.
Government-backed Cool Japan invests in 500 Startups fund
Cool Japan Fund, a government-backed venture program for promoting cultural exports, has agreed to invest up to $10 million in a recently launched Japan-focused vehicle managed by 500 Startups.
KKR founders, Fosun join $22m round for Japan's Seven Dreamers
KKR co-founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts have joined a group of investors including Chinese conglomerate Fosun International in a JPY2.5 billion ($22.8 million) round for Seven Dreamers Laboratories, a Japan-based manufacturer of personal-use devices.
Japan consumer: Beyond borders
Private equity investors see an opportunity in taking advantage of the popularity of Japanese brands in other Asian markets. Making these strategies work requires patience and a tolerance for risk
Japan carve-outs: Chips off the block
Divestment activity by Japanese conglomerates is finally translating into meaningful private equity deal flow, but unwinding people and assets from longstanding parents presents execution challenges
Skylake invests $53m in Korean O2O services player
Skylake Investment has committed KRW60 billion ($53 million) in Yanolja, a South Korean online-to-offline (O2O) local services platform best known for providing discount hotel deals.
Baring Asia to exit Japan's Joyful Honda
Baring Private Equity Asia will sell its minority stake in Joyful Honda, a Japan-based home improvement center operator, for JPY56.6 billion ($513 million) through participation in a tender offer launched by the company.
GPs sell French crystal maker to Chinese investment group
Chinese investment group Fortune Fountain Capital has agreed to buy a controlling stake in French luxury crystal maker Baccarat from Starwood Capital and L Catterton Partners, in a deal worth EUR164 million ($184 million).
L Catterton targets $1.25b for third Asia fund
L Catterton Asia – the regional arm of L Capital, which merged with US-based Catterton last year – is looking to raise $1.25 billion for its third fund.
Gobi leads $6m round for Malaysia's Carsome
Gobi Partners has led a $6 million funding round for Malaysia-based online used car purchasing platform Carsome.
Legend leads $18m round for Chinese beauty clinic chain
Legend Capital has led a $18 million funding round for PhiSkin, a China-based chain of beauty clinics backed by H&Q Asia Pacific.