Financials
CDC to invest $149m in India Infoline Finance
CDC Group, the UK government-owned development finance institution (DFI), has agreed to invest INR10 billion ($149 million) in IIFL Holdings’ non-banking finance company (NBFC) India Infoline Finance.
IDFC Bank to buy India's VC-backed Grama Vidiyal
IDFC Bank, a division of Indian infrastructure lender IDFC, has agreed to buy non-banking finance company (NBFC) Grama Vidiyal Micro Finance, providing an exit for its VC backers.
IIFL, Accion lead round for Indian fintech startup NeoGrowth
IIFL Asset Management and Accion Frontier Inclusion Fund have led a funding round of an undisclosed amount in Indian small retailer-focused fintech start-up NeoGrowth.
China's VC-backed Qufenqi raises $490m pre-IPO round
Qufenqi, a Chinese retailer that allows online buyers to pay in installments for consumer electronics purchases, has raised approximately RMB3 billion ($490 million) in pre-IPO financing.
India's Carlyle-backed PNB Housing Finance files for IPO
PNB Housing Finance, the mortgage lender subsidiary of India's state-run Punjap National Bank that is backed by The Carlyle Group, has filed for a INR25 billion ($370 million) IPO.
Yorkway invests in Australia's One Investment
Yorkway Capital Partners has entered a strategic partnership with Australian corporate fiduciary services provider One Investment Group and has made an investment in the company.
Gobi leads $3m round for Australia's Airwallex
Gobi Partners has led a A$5 million ($3 million) round of funding for Australia-based digital payment services developer Airwallex.
Q&A: Tata Capital Growth Fund's Pramod Ahuja
Tata Capital currently manages five private equity funds across different strategies. Pramod Ahuja, a partner responsible for the firm’s $240 million growth vehicle, discusses the opportunity set
MSPEA backs India NBFC Five Star
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has invested INR1.14 billion ($16.9 million) in Five Star Business Finance, an India-based non-banking finance company (NBFC) that specializes in small ticket business and housing loans.
Deal focus: IDG backs Circle's payments play
Circle is ready to test its blockchain-based online peer-to-peer payments platform in China, with support from a string of local financial and strategic investors
Bertelsmann leads $32m round for India's Lendingkart
Bertelsmann India Investments has led a $32 million Series B round for Indian finance platform Lendingkart.
Ant Financial backs Chinese insurance firm
Ant Financial, the online finance affiliate of China's Alibaba Group, has joined a consortium of investors supporting the establishment of Xinmei Mutual Life Insurance Agency.
IDG leads $60m round for US fintech start-up's China push
IDG Capital Partners has led a $60 million financing round for Circle, a US-based financial technology start-up seeking to build a blockchain-supported peer-to-peer payments system business in China.
Temasek unit raises $510m through PE-backed bond issue
A unit of Singapore government-backed investment group Temasek has raised $510 million through its issuance of bonds backed by 34 private equity funds.
Creador completes exit from India's Cholamandalam
Creador has exited the remainder of its stake in India-based non-banking finance company Cholamandalam Investment and Finance (CIF) for INR2.2 billion ($32.5 million).
Jafco leads $20m Series A in Singapore's Quoine
Jafco has led a $20 million Series A financing round for Quoine, a Singapore-based bitcoin trading platform.
TPG buys stake in Philippines rural bank
TPG Capital’s growth unit has agreed to buy a 40% stake in One Network Bank (ONB), the rural subsidiary of mainstream Philippines lender BDO. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SAIF leads $12m round for India's ClearTax
SAIF Partners has led a $12 million Series A round for Indian online tax filing website ClearTax.
India's Lok Capital reaches $40m first close on third fund
Indian venture capital firm Lok Capital has reached a first close of $40.5 million for its third fund, which is targeting a $100 million total corpus within 12-18 months.
China's Fenqile receives $235m in Series D funding
Fenqile, a Chinese installment payment platform, has received $235 million from investors including Huasheng Capital, CoBuilder Partners and an unnamed Chinese insurance company.
IBM launches Asia-focused tech accelerator in Singapore
IBM has launched an accelerator in Singapore that will help Asia Pacific start-ups commercialize blockchain technology and the cognitive computing system known as Watson.
Omidyar in $20m round for Indian venture debt player
Intellegrow Finance, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) and venture debt lender that targets small and growing businesses in India, has raised INR1.34 billion ($20 million) from investors including existing backer Omidyar Network.
Indian regulator nixes acquisition of PE-backed Sharekhan
India's Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has rejected BNC Paribas' proposed acquisition of PE-backed retail brokerage Sharekhan.
Temasek issues bonds backed by PE fund interests
A unit of Singapore government-backed investment group Temasek has issued $504 million in bonds backed by 34 private equity funds.