Media
Deal focus: NFT start-up declares war on the internet
Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands is at the forefront of securing digital property rights via cryptographic tokens. The concept is germinating in the games sector, but it is expected to change everything
Anchor invests $550m in Japan unit of Korea's Kakao
Anchor Equity Partners, a mid-market private equity firm focused on opportunities in North Asia, with a particular focus on Korea, has invested JPY60 billion ($550 million) in the Japan unit of Korean internet giant Kakao.
Hong Kong NFT player raises $89m at $1b valuation
Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands, a blockchain-based games developer diversifying into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), has raised $88.9 million from a group of VCs at a valuation of $1 billion.
James Murdoch launches Asia-focused SPAC
James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will pursue deals in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on India.
Korea's Kakao acquires VC-backed storytelling platform
Radish, a Korea and US-based mobile fiction platform, will be acquired by a unit of Kakao Corporation for $440 million. Its backers include SoftBank Ventures Asia and Kakao.
Apollo offers $3.1b for Australia sports betting business
Apollo Management has submitted a A$4 billion ($3.1 billion) bid for the wagering and media and gaming services businesses of Tabcorp Holdings, Australia’s largest gambling company.
India's Teachmint raises $16.5m Series A
Indian education technology provider Teachmint has raised a $16.5 million Series A round led by US-based specialist investor Learn Capital.
CVC, CDPQ carve out China ad agency's global portfolio
CVC Capital Partners and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) have agreed to acquire a majority stake in the international business of China-based advertising and marketing agency BlueFocus Group at a valuation of $350 million.
Deal focus: Cityneon proves the show must go on
Singapore’s Cityneon has seen a robust rebound in its live events business, driven primarily by China. The company now has $177 million in new funding and deals covering everything from ancient Egypt to Avatar
Indonesia social commerce start-up raises $28m
SoftBank Ventures Asia has led a $28 million Series B round for Aplikasi Super, which claims to be Indonesia’s first and leading social commerce platform.
China's Mobvista acquires marketing business
Chinese digital marketing player Mobvista has acquired VC-backed local counterpart Reyun in a cash-and-stock transaction worth RMB1.5 billion ($232 million).
Pavilion joins $177m round for Singapore's Cityneon
Pavilion Capital has joined a S$235 million ($177 million) round for Singapore’s Cityneon, a company that markets entertainment brands by staging elaborate events, displays, and exhibitions.
Deal focus: Loyal Valley realizes $600m from the Bilibili show
Chinese video-streaming platform Bilbili has won the hearts, minds, and wallets of users amid an intensifying content-based battle. Loyal Valley Capital picked an opportune time to make a partial exit
Media SPAC legitimizes MENA for Asia investors
The imminent US listing of a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) media app via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is helping legitimize the region for Asian private equity.
Tiger Global leads $100m round for India's Gupshup
Gupshup, an India-based messaging services provider that helps corporate customers execute marketing strategies, has raised $100 million in funding at a valuation of $1.4 billion.
India's ShareChat raises $502m at $2.1b valuation
Tiger Global Management has led a $502 million Series E round for ShareChat, which claims to be India’s largest social media platform, at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
Australia's Canva sees valuation double once again
Australian graphic design platform Canva has more than doubled its valuation to $15 billion with a new $71 million growth round. It was valued at $3.2 billion 18 months ago.
Vision Fund leads $300m round for India's Meesho
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a $300 million round for Meesho, India’s leading social e-commerce start-up, at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
China's Zhihu completes $522m IPO, endures volatile debut
Chinese question-and-answer platform Zhihu endured a difficult New York Stock Exchange debut, closing at a 10.5% discount to its IPO price on a day when US-listed Chinese stocks fluctuated wildly.
Australia social media start-up Linktree raises $45m
Index Ventures and Coatue Management have led a $45 million Series B round for Australia-based social media services platform Linktree.
India's Dream Sports raises $400m, hits $5b valuation
Dream Sports, operator of India’s largest fantasy sports platform, has raised $400 million in funding led by TCV, D1 Capital Partners and Falcon Edge Capital. The post-deal valuation is nearly $5 billion.
Temasek leads round for China marketing content start-up
Tezign, a Chinese start-up that serves as a content-focused one-stop marketing solutions platform, has closed a second tranche of Series C funding that takes the overall total for the round to $100 million.
Rugby Australia open to private equity proposals
Rugby Australia will consider private equity investment proposals, following in the footsteps of commercial rugby union organizations in the UK and New Zealand that need cash to alleviate financial stress arising from COVID-19.
Platinum exits Australia's Sensis to US strategic
US-based Platinum Equity has exited its control position in Sensis, best known as the operator of Australia’s White Pages and Yellow Pages directories, in a deal worth $200 million.