Sectors
Focus Media targets $1b Hong Kong IPO - report
Chinese display advertising business Focus Media, which was taken private in last May by a consortium of private equity investors in conjunction with company management, is said to be working towards a $1 billion IPO in early 2015.
IFC commits $25m to Olympus' Asia environment fund
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, plans to invest $25 million in Olympus Capital Asia’s latest pan-regional environment fund. The vehicle has a target size of $300 million.
VC-backed robot suit maker files for Tokyo IPO
Cyberdyne, a Japanese robotics company that counts Jafco Ventures, Nissay Capital and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) among its investors - has received approval for its Tokyo IPO.
INCJ invests $9 million in animation tool developer New
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY900 million ($8.7 million) in New, a start-up that develops tools for creating motion comics.
IFC pumps $91m into Indian financial services providers
International finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has committed around $91 million in three PE-backed non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India: Magma Fincorp, Bandhan Financial Services and Au Financiers.
Quadrant nears IPOs for Burson Auto, iSentia - report
Two Quadrant Private Equity portfolio companies - Burson Auto Parts and iSentia - are said to be on course for IPOs.
IVF-backed ACT gets OCA Credit, Kilimanjaro debt solution
Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT), an Indian broadband and cable TV access provider backed by India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA), has received structured debt financing from Olympus Capital Asia Credit (OCA Credit) and Kilimanjaro Credit Fund.
Tencent buys 20% stake in VC-backed Dianping
Tencent Holdings has paid an undisclosed sum for a 20% stake in Dianping, a VC-backed online listings provider best known as one of China’s most popular sites for restaurant reviews. The deal comes as China’s internet giants continue to broaden their...
Bamboo Finance, Saama Capital invest in India's Modern Family Doctor
Bamboo Finance, a European private equity firm that focuses on investments benefiting low-income communities in emerging markets, and early stage investor Saama Capital have together taken part in a Series B round of funding for Indian healthcare provider...
Jungle Ventures, Spring Seeds back big data start-up
Jungle Ventures has led a S$1.5 million ($1.2 million) round of funding for Crayong Data, a Singapore-based big data start-up, with participation from Spring Seeds Capital.
Goldman, Mitsui invest in India's Global Beverages & Foods
Goldman Sachs, Mitsui Global Investment (MGI) and a number of other unnamed investors are paying INR3.15billion ($50.4 million) for a undisclosed stake in Global Beverages and Foods (GBF).
Fosun Venture leads Series B round for Kmsocial
Fosun Venture Capital Investment has led a Series B round of funding for Kongming, a Beijing-based social media marketing solutions provider, with participation from previous investor Fidelity Growth Partners Asia. The investment size is about $10 million....
CITIC PE considers Biosensors acquisition – update
CITIC Private Equity has held talks about potentially increasing its stake in Singapore-listed portfolio company Biosensors International, the medical device maker said on Wednesday.
Japan's education app Smart Education raises $5.4m
CyberAgent Ventures and Infinity Venture Partners have invested JPY550 million ($5.4 million) in Smart Education, a Tokyo-based developer of educational mobile apps for kids.
Mayfield closes second India fund at $108m
Early-stage investor Mayfield has reached a final close of $108 million its second India-focused venture fund.
Intel invests in three China cloud, big data firms
Intel Capital, the corporate investment arm of the US chipmaker Intel Corp, has invested in three Chinese tech start-ups: big data firm Shanghai Yeapoo Information Technology; cloud storage provider Tianjin Zhongke BlueWhale Information Technology; and...
CITIC PE to buy medical devices firm Biosensors - report
CITIC Private Equity is said to be looking to buy full control of its Singapore-listed portfolio company Biosensors International, a medical device maker.
Baring Asia-owned Nord Anglia files for $300m IPO
Nord Anglia Education, a Hong Kong-based school operator with a presence in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, has filed to raise up to $300 million through a US IPO. The company has been majority-owned by Baring Private Equity Asia since...
Horizon Ventures leads $23m round for Hampton Creek Food
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s Horizon Ventures has led a $23 million Series B financing round for Hampton Creek, a US-based food technology firm.
Hopu participates in $2.5b China warehouse investment
Hopu Investment Management is part of a consortium that has agreed to invest $2.5 billion in Global Logistic Properties (GLP), a Singapore-listed warehouse operator with interests in China, Japan and Brazil.
Spain's Telefonica signs up Chinese incubator
Wayra, Spanish telecom giant Telefonica’s accelerator initiative, has signed an agreement with Virtue Inno Valley (VIV), an incubator program backed by China’s Tsinghua University.
Superangel swoops in to support Vancl
Chinese smart phone maker Xiaomi is a smash hit, valued at $10 billion in its most recent round of funding. Lei Jun, the company’s founder, is riding high. In contrast, Chen Nian (pictured), who set up online clothing retailer Vancl six years ago, is...
Jack Ma returns to school
Jack Ma was an English teacher at Hangzhou Dianzi University before he went on to found Alibaba Group. Now he has returned to the education sector to support the next generation.
Adveq buys into Australia's king of crops
The term "real assets" doesn't generally conjure up images of almonds. And these assets aren’t widely available. California, Spain and Australia account for around 80% of a global almond market set to be worth $5 billion in 2013.