Media
GIC, PIF invest $924m in Korea's Kakao Entertainment
Singapore’s GIC and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have agreed to invest a combined KRW 1.15trn (USD 924m) in Korean internet giant Kakao’s entertainment division.
PAG invests $500m in China's iQiyi
PAG has invested USD 500m in China-based online video streaming platform iQiyi through a private placement of senior convertible notes.
Asian basketball league secures Series C funding
East Asia Super League (EASL), a basketball league featuring teams from Greater China, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, has raised USD 40m as part of a yet-to-close Series C funding round.
Winter Capital leads $22.5m Series A for India's Uolo
Dubai-based Winter Capital has led a USD 22.5m Series A round for Indian education technology platform Uolo with support from local investor Blume Ventures.
East leads $13m round for Indonesia's TipTip
East Ventures has led a USD 13m Series A round for Indonesia’s TipTip, a marketplace that connects digital media content creators and their fans.
China's CMC trims stake in City Football Group
China-based CMC Capital has exited the bulk of its remaining stake in City Football Group (CFG), a series of football clubs built around the Manchester City brand, with CMC founder Ruigang Li vacating his seat on the company’s board.
65 Equity invests $107m in Singapore's Cityneon
Temasek Holdings-backed 65 Equity Partners has invested SGD 150m (USD 107m) in Singapore’s Cityneon, a company that markets entertainment brands by staging elaborate events, displays, and exhibitions.
Deal focus: Gamurs gears up for M&A boom
Gamurs claims to have carved a niche as the largest gaming news publisher in the English-speaking world on the back of 39 acquisitions in seven years. Its Series A will go towards more purchases
Deal focus: Fortitude rings in 9x return on Shopper
Shopping mall-focused digital advertising business Shopper Media Group rode out Australia’s lockdown woes to seal a sale to Woolworths, with Fortitude Investment Partners getting a 9x return
India’s Byju’s raises $250m, ramps up overseas
Indian education technology provider Byju’s has raised USD 250m from existing investors with plans to expand its international business. Funding raised this year alone now tops USD 1bn.
Google backs India edtech player Adda247
Google has joined a INR 2.7bn (USD 35m) round for Adda247, an education technology start-up that claims to be India’s largest vernacular language exam preparation platform.
Australia gaming, e-sports start-up gets $12m
Gamurs, a Sydney-headquartered media company specialising in gaming, e-sports, and entertainment, has secured USD 12m in Series A funding.
India mass market: Bharat dreams
A labyrinth of logistical, cultural, competition, and business modelling challenges is curbing private equity appetite for India’s quickly modernising proletariat
Thailand's Line Man Wongnai raises $265m
Thailand’s Line Man Wongnai – a food delivery, taxi, and messaging app – has raised a USD 265m round featuring GIC at a valuation of USD 1bn. It claims to be the largest start-up locally.
Fundamentum leads round for India's Kuku FM
Indian growth-stage investor The Fundamentum Partnership has led a USD 21.8m Series B extension for audio platform Kuku FM.
Temasek, Boyu, GGV back Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands
Hong Kong metaverse start-up Animoca Brands has raised USD 110m featuring Temasek Holdings, Boyu Capital, and GGV Capital. Funding since the start of 2021 now tops USD 630m.
Singapore's Docquity raises $44m Series C
Singapore-based Docquity, a networking service for more than 300,000 doctors across Southeast Asia, has raised USD 44m in Series C funding led by Japan’s Itochu Corporation.
Japan remote workforce player oVice raises $32m
Japan’s oVice, a start-up that provides virtual co-working spaces for remote and hybrid teams, has raised JPY 4.5bn (USD 32.1m) in Series B funding featuring Jafco and Eight Roads Ventures.
GP profile: CMC Capital Partners
China-focused CMC Capital Partners’ remit has expanded from media to consumer and technology, but the firm believes its knowledge and discipline as a specialist investor have never been more relevant
Singapore's TotallyAwesome raises $10m seed round
Singapore’s TotallyAwesome, a digital advertising start-up focused on children’s online safety, has raised a USD 10m seed round featuring US venture debt provider Partner For Growth (PFG).
Bain targets $102m Japan advertising take-private
Bain Capital has won board approval from Net Marketing, a Tokyo-listed online advertising and media management business, for a take-private that values the company at approximately JPY 13.6bn (USD 102m).
India edtech player UpGrad raises $210m
UpGrad, an India-based education technology company set up by media maven Ronnie Screwvala, has raised USD 210m featuring Temasek Holdings and education-focused private equity firm Kaizen.
Japan satellite data, metaverse start-up raises $11m
Japanese VCs have provided a JPY 1.4bn (USD 11m) seed round for SpaceData, a start-up that uses earth imaging data from satellites to create virtual 3D environments replicating the real world.
Singapore's Singtel pumps $100m into VC arm
Singapore telecom giant SingTel has committed USD 100m to its VC arm Innov8. The investment unit, which operates on an evergreen fund model, has received USD 350m to date.
