Sectors
China EV maker Li Auto pursues US listing
Li Auto, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that has been backed by online-to-offline (O2O) services giant Meituan Dianping, has filed for a US IPO.
Qualcomm Ventures invests $97m in India’s Jio Platforms
Qualcomm Ventures has agreed to invest INR7.3 billion ($97 million) in India’s Jio Platforms, the holding company for various internet and telecom assets owned by Reliance Industries.
Deal focus: Cortina goes natural for debut Australia deal
Cross-border PE investor Cortina Capital has backed Australian nutritional supplements producer ATP Science with an eye to China expansion. But establishing brand recognition at home is the first step
Portfolio: CBC Group and I-Mab Biopharma
CBC Group’s stewardship of I-Mab Biopharma brings an intensely hands-on platform-based approach to a booming China biotech space often characterized by relatively passive strategies
China's Newlink raises $128m Series D
Newlink Group, operator of a platform that helps drivers in China locate the best value gas stations, has raised a RMB900 million ($128 million) Series D round led by CICC Capital. Xiaomi Corporation also participated.
China’s Harbour BioMed raises $103m Series C
Chinese biotech start-up Harbour BioMed has raised $102.8 million in Series C funding. It comes four months after it closed an extended Series B round of $75 million.
VinaCapital, Daiwa sell stake in Vietnam dairy producer
Vietnam’s VinaCapital and Japan’s Daiwa PI Partners are poised to make a partial exit from Vietnamese dairy producer International Dairy Products (IDP).
China gay dating app Blued raises $85m in US IPO
BlueCity Holdings, the VC-backed holding company for Chinese gay dating platform Blued, traded strongly after raising $84.8 million through a NASDSAQ IPO.
Deal focus: J-Star maneuvers Japan’s restaurant lull
J-Star's acquisition of Pepper Lunch is driven by a willingness to look past COVID-19 dislocations and focus on the long-term fundamentals of the fast-casual dining space in Japan
Korea's ACE Equity launches SPAC targeting IT infrastructure
Korean private equity firm ACE Equity Partners has taken another step in the development of its cross-border investment capabilities with the launch of a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to pursue IT infrastructure assets.
Chinese online art tutoring platform secures $40m
Meishubao, China’s leading online art education platform, has raised $40 million in an extended Series C round led by Tencent Holdings.
Sequoia leads $100m Series C for China's Kuaidian
Kuaidian, a Chinese interactive content provider, has raised close to $100 million in Series C funding led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing investors GGV Capital and Morningside Venture Capital re-upped.
Warburg Pincus set for part-exit from Jinxin Fertility
Warburg Pincus will sell an approximately 5.5% interest in Hong Kong-listed IVF services provider Jinxin Fertility for about HK$1.5 billion ($194 million) through a share placement.
CLSA looks to connect wealthy investors with unicorns
CLSA, the international arm of China-based brokerage CITIC Securities, has launched a strategy to offer high net worth clients investment opportunities in late-stage private companies in Asia.
DCM raises $880m for early-stage funds
DCM Ventures has raised $880 million across two funds that will continue its early-stage technology strategy, with 70% of the capital earmarked for deployment in China.
China IPOs: Star attraction
Having previously focused on offshore IPOs, China managers with US dollar funds are now considering the Star Market. But going onshore means more regulation as well as high valuations
Investcorp leads $56m round for India co-living operator
Investcorp has led a $56 million Series C round for Indian managed co-living accommodation platform operator Zolo.
Openspace completes first close on Southeast Asia VC fund
Openspace Ventures has achieved a first close of more than $90 million on its third Southeast Asia fund, which has an overall target of $200 million.
Fund focus: B Capital begins second innings
Growth capital investor B Capital expects enterprise services to feature prominently in its Fund II portfolio as technology ecosystems in Southeast Asia and India continue to develop
Corporate VC in Asia: Moment of truth
Cutting non-core operations is the standard corporate response to an economic downturn. Companies in Asia must decide whether the long-term benefits of exposure to new technologies outweighs short-term pain
Baidu Capital leads Series D for China logistics platform
FineEx, a Shanghai-based logistics provider specializing in e-commerce, has raised RMB500 million ($71 million) in a Series D round of funding led by Baidu Capital.
Indonesia's Social Bella raises $58m Series E
Social Bella, an Indonesian online services provider for the beauty and personal care industry, has raised $58 million in Series E funding.
China's Ucommune acquired by US-listed SPAC for $765m
Ucommune, a Chinese co-working space operator that failed to get traction with an attempted New York IPO last year, has been acquired by a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at a valuation of $764.9 million.
EQT revises offer for New Zealand’s Metlifecare
EQT has submitted a revised offer to acquire New Zealand retirement village player Metlifecare at a lower valuation after facing a legal challenge over its attempt to terminate a previously agreed deal.