Media
VC-backed Appier files for Japan IPO
Appier, a Taiwan-based advertising technology provider, has filed for a JPY26.4 billion ($250 million) Japan IPO. It sets up exits for several VC investors, including Sequoia Capital.
Primavera-led consortium takes control of Zhaopin
A consortium led by Primavera Capital has agreed to acquire a controlling position in Chinese recruitment website Zhaopin at an implied valuation of A$2.2 billion ($1.7 billion).
Q&A: Gushcloud's Althea Lim
Singapore’s Gushcloud, a VC-backed influencer talent agency and content producer, operates at the frontlines of a young, fast-changing media landscape. CEO Althea Lim tours the latest developments
Bharti Airtel to buy back stake in DTH business from Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus has agreed to exit its stake in Bharti Telemedia, the direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television services arm of Indian telecom services provider Bharti Airtel, through a share buyback worth INR31.3 billion ($429.5 million) in cash and shares.
Indian news app Dailyhunt raises $100m
Indian news app Dailyhunt has raised $100 million led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Glade Brook Capital Partners. It extends a $102 million Series H round last year featuring Google.
Match buys VC-backed Korean social platform for $1.7b
Hyperconnect, a Korean social media platform backed by Altos Ventures and SoftBank Ventures Korea, has agreed to an acquisition by online dating giant Match Group for $1.73 billion in cash and stock.
China's Kuaishou surges on debut after $5.4b Hong Kong IPO
Kuaishou, a Chinese video-sharing and social networking platform backed by Tencent Holdings, 5Y Capital and DST Global, started trading at nearly three times its IPO price following a Hong Kong IPO that valued the company at HK$1.1 trillion ($142 billion).
India gaming platform MPL gets $95m Series D
Mobile Premier League (MPL), an Indian mobile gaming platform that matches users for competitive play, has raised a $95 million Series D round at a post-money valuation of $945 million.
Orchid, Matrix commit $100m to China gaming platform
Orchid Asia and Matrix Partners China have participated in a $100 million Series B round for Chinese gaming company Quwan Network Technology. Matrix led the Series A last year.
China e-sports business VSPN lifts Series B to $160m
VSPN, a Chinese e-sports broadcaster and events promoter backed by Temasek Holdings, has extended its Series B round to $160 million with a mix of VC and strategic investors.
Dimension leads $48m round for Japan's Nyle
Japanese VC firm Dimension has led a JPY5 billion ($48.3 million) round for local digital marketing and mobile media business Nyle.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Operational Value Add: TEG
Affinity Equity Partners turned TEG from a ticketing business into a broad-based live events promoter, while simultaneously taking it from Australia-centric to global
Chinese-owned gaming business completes $1.9b IPO
Playtika, an Israel-headquartered social and mobile games company that was acquired by a PE-backed Chinese consortium in 2016, gained 17% on its US trading debut following a $1.88 billion IPO.
Korea media platform gets $12m Series C
Korea’s SV Investment has led a $12 million Series C round for local media and advertising platform Dable at a valuation of around $90 million.
Google joins $145m round for India's Glance
Google has joined a $145 million round for Glance, an Indian smart phone services provider specializing in media content that launches on a locked home screen when a handset is illuminated.
CITIC exits data business to European GP
CITIC Capital is exiting its stake in business intelligence database provider ISI Emerging Markets Group to UK-based Montagu Private Equity.
J-Star exits Japan TV shopping business via trade sale
J-Star has sold Itty, a Japanese TV shopping business that specializes in healthy living products, to local broadcaster TV Asahi Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
China short video platform Kuaishou files for Hong Kong IPO
Kuaishou, a Chinese video sharing and social networking platform backed by the likes of Tencent Holdings, Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital and DST Global, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
KKR backs Philippines telecom tower operator
KKR has invested an undisclosed sum in Philippines-based telecom tower operator Pinnacle Towers with a view to helping it expand into a regional platform.
Deal focus: VR gaming comes of age
Japanese videogame publishing company Thirdverse believes the time is right to bring virtual reality entertainment to the masses. VCs with expertise in the sector are beginning to agree
Australia's 99Designs acquired by European trade buyer
Australia’s 99Designs, a global graphic design marketplace, has been acquired by Ireland-based Cimpress, the owner of marketing services firm Vistaprint. It sets up at least one VC exit.
Lee Fixel's Addition backs India news aggregation app
Inshorts, an Indian news aggregation app, has raised $35 million in funding led by Addition, an investment firm launched by Lee Fixel, who was previously involved in Tiger Global Management’s India deals.
Deal focus: NSSK completes digital transformation
Converting Bunkasha Publishing's library of manga library from paper to digital form was a priority for NSSK. New owner Beaglee will now plug this content into its online distribution platform
India gaming platform secures $90m Series C
SIG Asia, RTP Global, MDI Ventures and Pegasus Tech Ventures have led a $90 million Series C round for Mobile Premier League (MPL), an India-based mobile gaming platform.