Sectors
Qihoo 360 to relist in Shanghai via $7.6b reverse merger
Qihoo 360, a Chinese internet security software provider that was delisted in the US last year by a consortium that includes several PE investors, will relist in Shanghai through a reverse merger worth RMB50.4 billion ($7.57 billion).
China genomics player Annoroad raises $105m Series C
Beijing-based genomics services provider Annoroad has completed a RMB700 million ($105 million) Series C round co-led by Shenzhen GTJA Investment Group and Ping An Ventures. SBCVC and SAIF Partners China also participated.
India's UFO, Qube to merge, ICICI to invest
UFO Moviez, an Indian digital broadcaster with several PE backers, will merge with domestic peer Qube Cinema Technologies, with support from ICICI Venture.
Polaris carves out beverage business from Asahi
Polaris Capital Group has agreed to acquire LB, a soft drink-focused division of Japanese beverage maker Asahi Group Holdings.
MBK makes tender offer for Japan's Kuroda Electric
MBK Partners has submitted a tender offer for Kuroda Electric – a Japanese electronic components manufacturer that has been under pressure from an activist shareholder – that values the company at approximately JPY102 billion ($895 million).
Alibaba leads $335m round for China's Souche
Alibaba Group has led a $335 million Series E round for Chinese online second-hand car trading platform operator Souche. It is the company’s third funding round in the past 12 months.
VC-backed MC Payment to list in Singapore via reverse merger
MC Payment, a Singapore-based financial technology player with several VC backers, will list on the Singapore Stock Exchange's Catalist board via a reverse takeover of domestic peer Artivision Technologies.
Chinese facial recognition player raises $460m
Megvii Technology, a Beijing-based facial recognition software developer, has raised a $460 million Series C round led by China State-owned Venture Capital Fund.
Naspers to back Remitly expansion in India
Naspers has agreed to lead a Series D funding round of up to $115 million via its PayU unit to support an international expansion by US financial technology player Remitly, including a push into India.
Yunfeng leads $120m round for China’s Xiaozhu.com
Chinese PE firm Yunfeng Capital has led a $120 million Series E round of funding for Xiaozhu.com, a Beijing-based short-term rentals platform.
Fund focus: HighLight’s early-stage prescription
HighLight Capital has secured $250 million for its second China healthcare-focused fund, suggesting that proven sector specialists are getting traction with institutional LPs
Deal focus: GPs back Klook’s tailored travel offering
Hong Kong-based Klook has won $60 million in funding to further its efforts to consolidate the fragmented travel activities space - in Asia and globally
Asian LPs and infrastructure: Rousing the giants
Infrastructure is shedding its reputation for being a sleepy sector as Asian investors join a global surge of interest in the asset class. Strategic angling for the best deals will now require a more nimble approach
J-Star acquires Forpets in latest pet bolt-on
Japan’s J-Star has acquired 100% of domestic veterinary services company Forpets as a bolt-on of existing portfolio company JVCC. It is JVCC’s third such transaction this year.
Thailand's Pomelo gets $19m Series B
Thailand-based clothing retailer Pomelo Fashion has received a $19 million investment from Provident Capital Partners, Lombard Investments and JD.com. It is said to be the largest Series B ever raised by a Thai company.
China’s Guazi raises additional $180m for Series B
Guazi, an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform that spun out from US-listed Chinese classifieds site 58.com, has raised another $180 million to close its Series B round at $600 million.
Everstone-Realterm JV launches third India logistics fund
IndoSpace, a joint venture between the Everstone Group and US-based Realterm Global, has launched its third fund aimed at developing Indian logistics and industrial facilities.
Hony backs Chinese pharmacy management platform
Hony Capital has led a Series B round of funding for Quanyi Pharmacy Chain, an investment and operating platform that is intended to consolidate Chinese retail drug stores.
China used car auction player Tiantian Paiche closes Series C
Tiantian Paiche, a Chinese online used car trading platform, has raised $80 million from investors such as Industrial Bank of China to close its Series C round of funding at $180 million.
China's Four Seasons Education targets $111m US IPO
Four Seasons Education, a China-based after-school math tutoring services provider that is backed by Chengwei Ventures and Crimson Capital, is looking to raise as much as $111.1 million through a US IPO.
ClearVue, TAL lead $55m round for China’s Changingedu
Consumer-focused GP ClearVue Partners and US-listed TAL Education Group have jointly led a $55 million Series D round for Changingedu, a China-based education platform that connects teachers and students.
Australia backs four healthcare tech start-ups in VC push
The CSIRO Innovation Fund, a venture program under the Australian government’s latest science development policy push, has invested in its first four local technology start-ups.
VC-backed auto financing platform Yixin files for HK IPO
Yixin, the VC-backed online financing subsidiary of China-focused online automotive portal Bitauto Holdings, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
MSPEA to exit Chinese convenience store chain Hi-24
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has agreed to sell Chinese convenience store chain Hi-24 to strategic investors in a deal worth $84 million.