Sectors
Highland leads $16m round for NuTonomy’s Singapore push
Highland Capital Partners has led a $16 million Series A investment in NuTonomy, a US tech developer aiming to commercialize a driverless taxi fleet in Singapore by 2018.
Ares to buy American Capital in $3.4b deal
American Capital, which has a presence in Asia through its energy and infrastructure investment business, will be acquired by Ares Capital Corporation (ACC) in a deal worth $3.43 billion.
Corporate VC: A fine balance
Corporations in Asia increasingly see the merits of captive VC units, but they must be clear in their financial and strategic objectives in order to give teams the right combination of autonomy and guidance
Portfolio: The Riverside Company and Simcro
The Riverside Company believes New Zealand’s Simcro has what it takes to build its animal health device business worldwide, and is using its global reach and long-term perspective to help the company succeed
Australian agriculture: Investor stampede
Australia’s politically charged beef industry has attracted a wave of new investment, much of it driven by overseas buyers. As this interest elevates valuations and emotions, PE firms must capture value with care
Fund focus: Geodesic helps US start-ups go big in Japan
The former US ambassador to Japan and the ex-head of Andreessen Horowitz's growth investment practice have joined forces to help US start-ups gain traction in Japan
Fund focus: Mekong looks to crack Vietnam’s consumer code
Mekong Capital hopes to continue its success in Vietnam's consumer sector with the $112 million Mekong Enterprise Fund III, relying on a value creation model that is now tried and tested
PE-backed SF Express targets $6.6b Shenzhen reverse merger
China’s largest express delivery services provider SF Express, which is backed by several PE investors, is looking to list in Shenzhen through a reverse merger that values the business at RMB43.3 billion ($6.6 billion).
China's Fujian Grand Chip offers $751m for Aixtron
Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund (FGC), an investment vehicle controlled by Chinese entrepreneur Zhendong Liu, has offered to buy German semiconductor equipment maker Aixtron for EUR670 million ($751 million).
DMP leads $3m Series A for Malaysia's Jirnexu - update
Singapore-based venture capital firm DMP has led a $3 million Series A round for Malaysian financial technology start-up Jirnexu.
Australia's Data Republic gets $7.6m Series A round
Australia-based financial technology company Data Republic has received $10.5 million ($7.6 million) in funding from National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac and Qantas.
PE-backed Giant completes $2b backdoor listing in Shenzhen
Chinese online game developer Giant Interactive Group, which was taken private by a consortium of PE investors in conjunction with the company’s CEO, has completed a backdoor listing in Shenzhen that values the business at RMB13.1 billion ($2 billion).
Vision Knight leads $153m round for China’s Weidai
Vision Knight Capital has led a $1 billion ($153 million) Series C round of funding for Weidai, a Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform that specializes on providing auto loans.
IFC to invest $68m in India's Apollo Health
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has committed $68 million to Indian clinic chain Apollo Health and Lifestyle (AHL).
Permira buys John Masters Organics, Japanese distributor
Permira will buy a controlling stake in John Masters Organics (JMO), owner of the eponymous personal care brand, and its exclusive distributor in Japan and East Asia for an enterprise valuation of JPY37 billion ($336 million).
China GPs back US tech player's Asian consolidation
Chinese investors have underpinned an $88 million Series E round of funding for Kateeva, a US electronics developer that operates in China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
SCPE to buy controlling stake in Korea's Kolon Water & Energy
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in South Korean wastewater treatment specialist Kolon Water & Energy (KWE) for KRW88.6 billion ($74.9 million).
Healthcare app launched by China's Ping An Insurance raises $500m
Ping An Good Doctor, a healthcare-focused mobile app controlled by Chinese Ping An Insurance Group, has raised $500 million in a Series A round of funding at a valuation of $3 billion.
Malaysia's Khazanah opens London office
Khazanah Nasional, an investment fund controlled by the Malaysian government, has opened a new office in London aimed at strengthening the country’s business development links with Europe.
India's IDFC completes part-exit via Parag Milk Foods IPO
IDFC Alternatives has concluded its partial exit from Indian dairy firm Parag Milk Foods via the company's IPO, realizing INR1.8 billion ($26.7 million) from the offering.
CITIC Capital exits Tri-Wall to Japan's Rengo
CITIC Capital Partners has agreed to sell its majority stake in Tri-Wall Holdings, an Asia-focused heavy duty packaging business, to Japanese packaging manufacturer Rengo for $221.7 million.
SBCVC leads round for China robotics start-up CloudMinds
SBCVC has committed $10 million to a $30 million seed round of funding for CloudMinds, a Chinese cloud-based robotics start-up.
Quadrant exits data center business to Infratil, Commonwealth Super
Quadrant Private Equity will exit Australia-based Canberra Data Centers (CDC) as listed infrastructure investor Infratil and Commonwealth Superannuation Corp. (CSC) agreed to buy a majority stake in the business for A$784 million ($565 million).
China's VC-backed Mobvista raises $80m after NEEQ listing
Mobvista, a Chinese mobile content distribution platform backed by several VC investors, has raised RMB522 million ($79.7 million) after listing on the National Equities Exchange and Quotation (NEEQ).