Sectors
Baring-owned Vistra acquires Japan accounting firm
Vistra, a Hong Kong-based corporate services provider and fund administrator owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, has acquired Japanese accounting specialist Routes for an undisclosed sum.
Silver Lake backs India edtech player Byju's
Silver Lake has extended a string of large investments for India-based education technology platform Byju’s at a valuation of around $11 billion.
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.