Sectors
China e-commerce player WoWo files for US IPO
WoWo, which came to prominence as operator of the 55tuan group-buying site before expanding into a broader entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform, has filed for a US IPO.
JD, Tencent invest $1.55b in Chinese online auto platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com and its investor Tencent Holdings have formed strategic partnership with Bitauto, committing $1.55 billion in the auto e-commerce operator and its investment unit.
Hony scraps plan to purchase Chongqing hotpot chain
Hony Capital has abandoned its plan to buy Chongqing Cygnet Hotpot, a Chinese hotpot restaurant chain backed by Sequoia Capital and SIG Asia.
China's BVCF provides $8m round for US biotech firm
China-focused biotech investor BVCF has led an $8 million Series A round of funding for DiaCarta, a US-based firm that develops test kits for detecting cancer.
Alibaba to invest in Indian e-commerce, payments platform
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest at least $550 million in One97 Communications, owner of India-based mobile commerce platform and payments solution provider Paytm, which has several venture capital backers.
EIG hires CIC’s oil and gas head to lead Hong Kong office
EIG Global Energy Partners has hired Yangyang Liu, formerly of China Investment Corporation (CIC) as managing director in its recently-established Hong Kong office.
Google Capital backs India real estate platform CommonFloor
Google Capital has provided a new round of funding for CommonFloor.com, an India-based property listings website.
Ally Bridge leads $25m round for Shanghai Hua Medicine
Ally Bridge Group, a healthcare-focused PE firm, has led a $25 million Series B round of funding for Hua Medicine, a Shanghai-based clinical-stage biotech company.
Dentsu challenges take-private of China’s Charm Communications
The CMC Capital-backed privatization of Charm Communications is being challenged by Dentsu Aegis, which refused to accept the terms for the acquisition of its minority stake in the Chinese advertising agency.
Japan’s NTT Docomo Ventures backs France-based Sunpartner
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese telecom giant, has taken part in a EUR4 million ($4.7 million) round for Sunpartner Technologies, a French solar panel manufacturer.
China food delivery app Line0 raises $30m
Chinese food delivery mobile app Line0 has completed a Series B round of funding worth $30 million, led by Tencent Holdings. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Gobi Partners also participated.
DST, Iconiq join Series A round for Hong Kong P2P lender WeLab
DST Global founder Yuri Milner, Iconiq Capital and a joint venture between China Post and TOM Group have been added to Hong Kong-based internet finance start-up WeLab’s Series A round, taking the total raised to $20 million.
Xeraya, Spruce in $150m first close on second life sciences fund
Khazanah Nasional-controlled Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners have reached a first close of $150 million on MLS Capital Fund II, successor to the vintage Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, which is now fully allocated.
BAI invests in China mobile advertising solutions provider
Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), an investment arm of German media giant Bertelsmann, has committed $10 million in Series A funding to OptAim, a Chinese mobile marketing solution provider.
KKR, GIC launch real estate-focused India NBFC
KKR has launched its second Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC), teaming up with Singapore’s GIC Private to focus on providing structured credit solutions for real estate developers.
India's Lenskart raises $22m in Series C funding
Valyoo Technologies, the Indian start-up behind online eyewear retailer Lenskart, has raised INR13.5 billion ($21.9 million) in Series C funding led by TPG Capital's growth unit.
Jafco exits shredder maker to Japan Industrial Solutions
Jafco has exited Meiko Shokai, a Japanese manufacturer of document shredders, to turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) for an undisclosed sum.
NZ Super, Infratil target aged care integration
Morrison & Co, an investment manager of New Zealand-listed infrastructure fund Infratil, has been looking into Australian retirement village space for a while. In early 2014, it approached RetireAustralia, the country’s fourth-largest player, as a potential...
MSPEA enters the China hospital space
To Homer Sun, CIO at Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), the current climate in China’s hospital services space is reminiscent of pharmaceuticals circa 2008. Government policy was pushing the industry towards consolidation and MSPEA capitalized,...
Xiaomi: The view from the top
Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi has become the world’s most valuable start-up, following a $1.1 billion round. Does its growth trajectory tally with the $45 billion price tag?
Australian cancer drug developer raises $10m Series B round
Australian biopharmaceutical start-up EnGeneIC has received $10 million in a Series B round of funding led by Boston-based healthcare specialist GRT Capital Partners.
Rocket Internet, PLDT set up online payments platform
Rocket Internet and Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) have agreed to form a joint venture mobile payments platform with a focus on emerging markets.
Multiples completes exit from South Indian Bank
India’s Multiples Alternate Asset Management has fully exited South Indian Bank (SIB), selling its remaining 3.67% stake for INR1.51 billion ($23.8 million).
IDG commits $3m to Chinese weather data generator
IDG Capital Partners has acquired a 10% stake in Bloomsky, a subsidiary of China’s Andon Health which develops weather data sensors, for $3 million.