Sectors
China online education player Huohua Siwei files for US IPO
Huohua Siwei, a China-based children's online education platform specializing in mathematics and science otherwise known as Spark Education, has filed to list in the US.
China VCs bullish on SaaS - AVCJ webinar
Software-as-a-service (Saas) has emerged as the biggest investment opportunity in China's technology sector, venture capitalists told AVCJ's China outlook webinar.
Australia carbon neutral courier raises $35m Series C
Sendle, an Australia-based package delivery provider for small businesses that claims to be 100% carbon neutral, has raised a $35 million Series C round led by local investor AP Ventures.
Nippon Investment acquires Japan wine brand
Japanese private equity firm Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) has acquired the local subsidiary of Germany-based winemaker and distributor Pieroth for an undisclosed sum.
OTPP leads $154m round for Chinese microfinance player
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has led a RMB1 billion ($153 million) funding round for CD Finance, a China-based provider of loans and other financial services to small businesses in rural areas.
Hong Kong crypto player Amber raises $100m
Hong Kong crypto financial services provider Amber Group has raised a $100 million Series B round led by China Renaissance. It is said to value the company at $1 billion.
Korea's Viva Republica raises $405m at $7.2b valuation
Viva Republica, operator of the Korean money transfer app Toss, has raised a KRW460 billion ($404 million) round led by US-based Alkeon Capital, at a valuation of around $7.2 billion.
KKR impact fund backs Australasian edtech player
KKR’s global impact investment fund has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Australia and New Zealand-based Education Perfect, a provider of digital teaching and learning toolkits for schools, at a valuation of NZ$455 million ($320 million).
China's Manbang trades up after $1.57b US offering
Manbang, a China trucking business that claims to be the world’s largest digital freight platform, gained 13% on debut following a $1.57 billion IPO in the US.
Singapore's Circulate launches VC fund to disrupt plastics waste
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investor dedicated to stemming plastic waste pollution in South and Southeast Asia, has achieved a $14 million first close on a new venture capital fund.
Warburg Pincus leads Series C for China AI drug developer
Insilico Medicine, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) technology to speed up the drug development process, has closed a $255 million Series C funding round led by Warburg Pincus.
PE investors agree $5.7b 51job take-private
A consortium led by DCP Capital Partners has finalized terms for a $5.7 billion privatization of US-listed Chinese online recruitment platform 51job.
Chinese drug developer Abbisko files for HK IPO
PE-backed Abbisko Therapeutics, which focuses on the discovery and development of innovative and differentiated small molecule oncology therapies, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
Portfolio: Mandala Capital and EFRAC
Mandala Capital is helping Indian food and pharma testing laboratory EFRAC distinguish itself against a field of ragtag competitors. Personnel, networks, and technology are the critical inputs
Deal focus: Australia's ENA hits COVID-19 in the nose
Australian investors see hope in ENA Respiratory, a nasal spray specialist aiming to complement global COVID-19 vaccine programs with an immune system-boosting product
Deal focus: Content to the masses
Xiaoe Tong gained traction during the pandemic in China as channel for educational content providers, big and small, to reach their customers. It is also a SaaS player that stands firm on product standardization
KKR buys controlling stake in India's Vini Cosmetics
KKR has agreed to pay $625 million for a controlling stake in Vini Cosmetics, a leading branded personal care and beauty products company in India.
Singapore gene therapy start-up closes $24m Series A
Nuevocor, a preclinical biotech company specializing in gene therapy for heart disease, has closed an oversubscribed Series A round with $24 million in commitments.
Apis leads $45m Series C for India's RenewBuy
Apis Partners has led a $45 million Series C round for RenewBuy, an India insurance comparison platform specializing in motor insurance.
Fidelity backs $131m Series A for China citytech platform Venturous
Venturous Group, a Chinese smart city platform, has received $131 million in Series A funding from Fidelity, several family offices, and Benson Tan, founder of Venturous.
PE-backed China Youran Dairy loses ground after $643m HK IPO
PAG Asia Capital-backed China Youran Dairy Group raised HK$4.99 billion ($643 million) through a Hong Kong IPO but then ended its trading debut below the IPO price.
China's Nutshell Therapeutics raises $20m
Nutshell Therapeutics, a Chinese drug developer, has raised a $20 million Series A round led by Matrix Partners China.
China secondhand goods platform Zhuanzhuan raises $100m
Zhuanzhuan, a used goods trading platform and subsidiary of 58.com, China’s largest online classifieds marketplace, has raised a $100 million round led by electronics giant Xiaomi.
India-founded SaaS start-up BrowserStack raises $200m
KPCB growth-stage spinout Bond has led a $200 million Series B round for BrowserStack, a software testing platform established by two Indian entrepreneurs.