Sectors
Asia consumer & brands: Mark tank
Local consumer brands in developing Asian markets are beginning to displace established global players. Investors are supporting the uprising and contemplating global breakouts of their own
Asia consumer & technology: Multifarious merchants
Technology is changing the way consumers interact with retailers both concrete and virtual. Ramping up the sociability factor has become a priority amid increasingly pervasive mechanization
GIC leads $200m round for Chinese teaching materials supplier
GIC Private has led a $200 million investment - the third tranche of Series D round - for Aixuexi Education Group, a China-based developer of teaching materials for schools. Warburg Pincus also participated.
Manulife backs spinout from Hong Kong's JIDA
Manulife Investment Management is supporting the spinout of the team at Hong Kong infrastructure investor JIDA Capital, acquiring a significant minority stake in the new GP.
Goldman invests $150m in India biosimilars business
Goldman Sachs has invested INR11.2 billion ($150 million) in Biocon Biologics, the biosimilars business of Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturer Biocon, at a post-money valuation of $3.94 billion.
Asia consumer: Sale of the century
The traditionally slow-changing retail sector received an unexpected incentive to smarten up quickly this year. When the dust settles, shopping will never be the same again
Hong Kong insurtech start-up Coherent raises $14m
Coherent, a Hong Kong-based insurance technology company, has raised a $14 million Series A round led by Cathay Innovation, with participation from Franklin Templeton.
MBK invests $228m in China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has agreed to invest HK$1.8 billion ($228.3 million) in Hong Kong-listed China Auto Rental (CAR), taking a 20.9% stake.
Grab leads $100m round for Indonesia e-wallet player
Singapore-based ride-hailing and local services platform Grab has led a $100 million Series B round for Indonesian e-wallet services provider LinkAja.
China autonomous truck player Inceptio secures $120m
Inceptio, a Chinese autonomous driving technology provider focusing on line-haul trucking has raised $120 million in funding led by domestic vehicle battery manufacturer CATL.
Hillhouse, Boyu, CareCapital back condom maker
Chinese private equity firms Hillhouse Capital, Boyu Capital and CareCapital Partners, a specialist dental and consumer health investor, have paid $200 million for a 40% stake in condom brand LifeStyles.
India supply chain player Xpressbees raises $110m
Indian e-commerce delivery start-up Xpressbees has raised INR8 billion ($110 million) from Investcorp, Norwest Venture Partners, and Gaja Capital.
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.
China's Pony.ai hits $5.3b valuation with OTPP-led round
Canada’s Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTTP) has led a $267 million Series C round for Chinese autonomous driving technology supplier Pony.ai at a post-money valuation of $5.3 billion.
Cell analysis player Cytek raises $120m Series D
RA Capital and Hillhouse Capital have led a $120 million Series D round for Cytek Biosciences, a California-based cell analysis start-up founded by a former professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.
Hony closes debut China VC fund at $130m
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has closed its first venture capital fund at $130 million after approximately four months in the market.
Saudi fund invests $1.3b in India's Reliance Retail
Saudi Arabia’s Public investment Fund (PIF) has invested INR95.5 billion ($1.3 billion) in India’s Reliance Retail, taking a 2% stake.
ESG: Selling sustainability
As demonstrated by CVC Capital Partners' experience with Softex Indonesia, cost savings are a good starting point when trying to convince Asia founders to embrace sustainability initiatives
Deal focus: V2Food tackles alternative protein's price problem
Australia’s V2Food is bringing affordability to the alternative protein space as fresh funding fuels an Asian expansion. The China entry will be a delicate proposition
China math tuition platform VIPThink secures $180m
VIPThink, a Guangzhou-based online mathematics teaching platform for kids, which is also known as Wandou Siwei, has received $180 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
China e-signature business raises $150m Series D
Shenzhen Capital Group, Evergrande High-tech Group and Fortune Capital have participated in a RMB1 billion ($150 million) Series D round for eSign, a China-based electronic signature service provider.
Singapore's KK Fund launches large business accelerator
Singapore-based VC firm KK Fund has launched an accelerator that will help large companies develop new technology businesses through cooperation with regional start-ups.
Carlyle targets Japan environmental business buyout - update
The Carlyle Group has launched a JPY37 billion ($355 million) buyout offer that would see it take control of Japan Asia Group, the Tokyo-listed holding company for several Japanese environment-related businesses, and two key subsidiaries.
Chinese antique e-commerce start-up raises $80m Series C
Wanwu Dezhi, a Chinese e-commerce platform specializing in antiques, has closed a $80 million Series C round co-led by Huaxing Growth Capital and Source Code Capital.