Sectors
Deal focus: Putting Asia on the air mobility map
Japan’s SkyDrive leads Asia in the niche but potentially society-altering category of flying cars. A $37 million Series B round marks the latest step in a long safety build-out and public acceptance process
GPs sell Wall Street English China business back to founder
Baring Private Equity Asia and CITIC Capital have sold the China-based assets of English language training provider Wall Street English (WSE) back to the original founder after COVID-19 called into question the business model.
Australia's Blackbird launches New Zealand fund
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has launched a NZ$60 million ($40 million) New Zealand-dedicated fund with a cornerstone investment of NZ$21.5 million from the government.
China biotech player InxMed raises $19m
Ennovation Ventures, a Chinese life sciences and healthcare-focused investor, and China Growth Capital have led a RMB130 million ($19 million) round for local biotech developer InxMed.
China mixed reality player Nreal secures $40m Series B
Nreal, a Chinese manufacturers of advanced virtual reality glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised $40 million in Series B funding led by local video sharing platform Kuaishou.
Hillhouse leads $418m investment in China's I-Mab
I-Mab Biopharma, a private equity-backed Chinese drug developer that listed in the US as recently as January, has raised $418 million through a private placement.
Ex-L Catterton Asia head Ravi Thakran launches SPAC
Ravi Thakran, formerly head of L Catterton’s Asia operation, has launched a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to pursue aspirational consumer brands.
Vision Fund leads $100m Series C for Singapore-founded Biofourmis
SoftBank Vision Fund has led a $100 million Series C round for Biofourmis, a Singapore founded and now US-based operator of a health analytics platform.
Deal focus: Japan sees more mid-cap carve-outs
Having completed its first-ever corporate carve-out in July, Japan's J-Star has now racked up its second with the acqusition of waste management business Sincere Corporation from NEC
CVC to exit Softex Indonesia with 3.3x return - update
CVC Capital Partners will exit personal care products manufacturer Softex Indonesia after US multinational Kimberly-Clark agreed to acquire the business for approximately $1.2 billion.
Chinese cleaning robot developer gets $22m Series B
Gaussian Robotics, a China-based developer of robots used for cleaning, has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in an extended tranche of Series B round led by Broad Vision Funds and China Capital Management.
Singapore's Livspace raises $90m Series D
Singapore-based home interiors renovation platform Livspace has raised a $90 million Series D round featuring TPG Growth and Goldman Sachs.
Xiaomi joins $54m Series B for Indonesia's PasarPolis
Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi has joined a $54 million Series B round for Indonesian financial technology provider PasarPolis.
SoftBank leads $150m round for India's Unacademy
SoftBank has led a $150 million round for Indian education technology provider Unacademy, confirming the start-up’s unicorn status with a valuation around $1.4 billion.
Sequoia leads Series B for Chinese coffee brand
Saturnbird, a Chinese coffee brand, has raised more than RMB100 million（$14 million) in a Series B funding round led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing backer Frees Fund re-upped.
3one4 hits first close on third India VC fund
India’s 3one4 Capital has reached a first close on its third flagship early-stage venture capital fund.
Deal focus: Creador scores as India pharma heats up
Creador's $34 million investment in packaging supplier Shriji Polymers represents an indirect bet on India's growing pharmaceutical industry. Product development and capacity expansion are priorities
Deal focus: Shukun stands out from the crowd
Shukun sought to differentiate itself from other Chinese artificial intelligence medical imaging start-ups by focusing on heart rather than lung conditions, but a COVID-19 diagnosis solution has given the company real traction
Korean wave: Killer content
From Oscar-winning films to record-breaking pop bands, Korean content has started to replicate its success in Asia in the West. Venture capital investors are looking for ways to ride the K-wave
Chinese drug developer Adlai Nortye raises $100m Series C
Adlai Nortye, a Chinese biopharma player specializing in cancer treatments, has raised nearly $100 million in Series C round led by Hong Kong-listed contrast research organisation (CRO) Tigermed and Shanghai-based Yingke PE.
Carlyle invests $260m in China's Salubris Pharmaceutical
The Carlyle Group has paid about $260 million for a 5% stake in Shenzhen-listed Salubris Pharmaceutical.
TPG, KKR invest $220m in Singapore's PropertyGuru
Singapore-based real estate portal PropertyGuru has confirmed S$300 million ($220 million) in new commitments from existing backers TPG Capital and KKR.
Affirma to exit Korea waste management business
Affirma Capital – formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity – has agreed to sell EMC Holdings, a South Korea-based waste and wastewater treatment business, to a unit of local conglomerate SK Corporation.
Deal focus: Hahn puts faith in aviation rebound
International travel remains largely off-limits, but Hahn & Company is optimistic on the long-term prospects for Korea's aviation industry and for Korean Air's in-flight catering and duty-free businesses