Sectors
Kakao spins out online fashion unit, buys VC-backed Zigzag
Korean internet company Kakao Corporation has spun out its fashion e-commerce business as an independent entity and merged it with Zigzag, a VC-backed local fashion marketplace.
China AI drug discovery platform StoneWise raises $100m
StoneWise, a Chinese biotech start-up that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to develop new drugs, has raised $100 million in Series B funding across two tranches.
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.
KKR joins $61m round for Japan's Netstars
KKR has contributed JPY4 billion ($37 million) to a JPY6.6 billion funding round for Netstars, a Japanese QR code payment gateway operator. SIG and Lun Partners, a Hong Kong-based global financial technology investor, also took part.
India's PE-backed Pine Labs acquires Malaysia's Fave
Pine Labs, an India payments start-up backed by MasterCard, PayPal, and Sequoia Capital India, has acquired Fave, a Malaysian counterpart also backed by Sequoia India, for $45 million.
Southeast Asia's Grab to merge with SPAC at $30.4b valuation
Southeast Asia-focused ride hailing and local services platform Grab has agreed to go public in the US through a merger with a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) at an enterprise valuation of $30.4 billion.
Hong Kong's Lever VC hits $46m fourth close on food fund
Lever VC, a Hong Kong-based food tech investor, has achieved a fourth close of $46 million on its debut fund, claiming 2.3x growth in the value of the portfolio since 2019.
Deal focus: Gobi sees 100x return on Airwallex
Gobi Partners became Airwallex's first institutional investor in 2016 due to a lack of support in the Australian company's home market. The GP made a partial exit in a recent Series D round at a valuation of $2.6 billion
Fund focus: Long Hill burns the midnight oil
Embarking on its first Zoom-based fundraise, China's Long Hill Capital succeeding in closing just above target on $300 million while significantly diversifying the LP base
Deal focus: Partners Group-backed IT play ripens early
Partners Group is set to generate a 5x return on the sale of its 45% stake in GlobalLogic to Hitachi as momentum in corporate digital transformation makes the IT services player a hot commodity
1Q analysis: American dreams
New York makes an unexpected reappearance as the preferred IPO destination for Asian companies; the growth-stage tech investment revival continues; KKR lights up lackluster fundraising environment
Q&A: Hike Capital's Anna Xu
China-focused Hike Capital positions itself as an entrepreneur-led VC firm, having been established by two start-up founders. One of them, Anna Xu, explains why this makes a difference
Fund focus: Qingsong plays the long game
Qingsong Fund differs from most renminbi fund managers by virtue of its uncommon diversification and farsighted strategy. Data and deep tech will be key focus areas for the firm’s new $153 million fund
Korea retail: Digital or dead?
Coupang’s bumper IPO has underlined the appeal of a Korean e-commerce industry characterized by chaebols playing catch-up and PE and VC investors looking to profit at the margins
5Y raises $2b across dollar, renminbi funds
China's 5Y Capital has raised nearly $2 billion for its latest US dollar and renminbi-denominated funds, securing $1.7 billion for the US dollar pool and around RMB1.9 billion ($290 million) for the local currency vehicle.
Affirma hits first close on Korea fund, backs SK mapping spinout
Affirma Capital has reached a first close of KRW443 billion ($403 million) on its fifth Korea-focused fund, while simultaneously announcing a $181 million investment in SK Telecom’s mobility business.
True North makes partial exit from India's PolicyBazaar
Indian private equity firm True North has confirmed a partial exit from local insurance portal PolicyBazaar.
PE-backed property platform Anjuke to go public in Hong Kong
Anjuke, a Chinese online property marketplace controlled by classifieds player 58.com, has filed for a Hong Kong listing. It follows a $250 million pre-IPO funding round featuring two Hong Kong property developers.
Falcon Edge backs India B2B platform OfBusiness
Falcon Edge Capital has led a $110 million growth round for India’s OfBusiness, a B2B platform for industrial sector services, at a post-money valuation of $800 million.
PE-backed Brii Bioscience pursues Hong Kong listing
Brii Biosciences, a three-year-old Chinese biotech start-up that has raised approximately $415 million in private funding from the likes of Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital, and Yunfeng Capital, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
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.
China mRNA vaccine provider Abogen raises $92m
Suzhou Abogen Biosciences, a Chinese mRNA vaccine provider, has raised RMB600 million ($92 million) led by PICC Capital - an investment unit under People’s Insurance Company of China - and state-backed SDIC Venture Capital.
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.
Indonesia e-commerce platform Orami sold to local strategic
Orami, an Indonesian mother-and-baby-focused e-commerce platform backed by numerous venture capital investors, has been acquired by Sirclo, a local e-commerce enabler. Financial details were not disclosed.