Sectors
Facebook buys VC-backed Little Eye Labs
Within 19 months of starting-up, Bangalore-based Little Eye Labs was snapped up by Facebook to take the social network’s mobile development to the next level. Little Eye Labs was also in talks with Twitter, but Facebook ended up offering a better deal....
BVCF supports anti-viral drug innovation
Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), a natural mechanism for regulating gene expression, in the 1990s, billions of dollars have been invested by the world’s pharmaceutical giants in using this technology to develop therapeutic drugs. A particular...
Toshiba partners with IVFA-owned UEM Group
After expanding its water supply and treatment business into markets such as China and Indonesia, Toshiba Corporation went looking for a strategic partner in India. It zeroed in on UEM Group, one of the top three domestic players in the sector. UEM needed...
IMM to support T-Broad in cable TV battle
Thanks to the rapid emergence of internet protocol TV (IPTV), South Korea’s cable TV operators are expected to broadcast across the country regardless of regulatory hurdles.
NewQuest agrees $190m China Hydroelectric take-private
NewQuest Capital Partners has agreed to buy China Hydroelectric in a deal that values the US-listed hydropower operator at approximately $190 million.
Qiming hires ex-GGV partner to cover consumer internet space
Qiming Venture Partners has hired Helen Wong, formerly of GGV Capital, as a partner with responsibility for investment in the internet and consumer sectors. The move comes a few months after her predecessor in the role, Hans Tung, left Qiming for GGV.
Sequoia leads $13m investment in India's BankBazaar.com
Sequoia Capital has led a $13 million round of investment in Indian financial services portal BankBazaar.com. Walden International, which invested $6 million in the company in 2011, also participated in the round.
Creador takes minority stake in India's Somany Ceramics
India and Southeast Asia-focused GP Creador will buy about 11% of listed tile and sanitary ware maker Somany Ceramics for INR499.9 million ($8.1 million).
Cloud billing platform ChargeBee gets Series A backing from Accel
Accel Partners has led an $800,000 Series A round of investment in ChargeBee, an Indian start-up that helps companies manage their subscription billings.
KKR backs FIWA acquisition of CHAMP-owned Centric Wealth
KKR’s credit unit, KKR Asset Management, is partnering with Australia’s Financial Index Wealth Accountants (FIWA) in its takeover bid for CHAMP Private Equity-owned high net worth financial advisory Centric Wealth. KKR will provide acquisition funding...
Platinum buys Australia directories business Sensis
US private equity firm Platinum Equity has reached an agreement with Telstra Corporation, Australia's biggest phone company, to acquire a 70% stake in its directories business Sensis for A$454 million ($407.17 million).
Fosun pays $1.36b to buy Portugese insurer Caixa
China's Fosun International has acquired an 80% stake in Caixa Seguros e Saúde (CSS), the insurance unit of Portugese state bank Caixa Geral de Depositos SA for EUR1 billion ($1.36 billion), beating out Apollo Management International.
Quvat-backed Blitzmegaplex targets Indonesia IPO
Blitzmegaplex, an Indonesian movie theater chain backed by Quvat Management, is targeting an IPO in the first quarter of 2014 as it seeks to raise capital for expansion.
Facebook buys VC-backed Indian start-up Little Eye Labs
Facebook has acquired Ventureast and GSF Superangels-backed start-up Little Eye Labs, reportedly paying around $15 million for the Android app optimizer.
Omaha Capital leads $30m round for China jewelry maker
Hong Kong-based Omaha Capital has led a $30 million Series C round of funding for Bloves, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer of customized wedding rings.
Lightspeed leads Series B for China cloud services provider
Lightspeed China has led a $20 million Series B round of funding for Chinese cloud services provider QingCloud. Matrix Partners and existing investor BlueRun Ventures also participated.
Asian Healthcare Fund leads Series B for Forus Health
Asian Healthcare Fund (AHF) has led a INR500 million ($8 million) Series B round of investment in Forus Health, a Bangalore-based firm that develops affordable medical technology for eye treatment.
Carlyle exits India's Tirumala Milk Products to trade buyer
French dairy group Groupe Lactalis has acquired Tirumala Milk Products for a reported sum of $250–300 million, allowing The Carlyle Group to exit its 26.38% holding in the South Indian dairy producer.
Blackstone passes $3b mark on Asia real estate fund
The Blackstone Group has received more than $3 billion in capital commitments for its first Asia real estate fund, which is targeting $4 billion.
BVCF leads $7.5m Series A for Quark Pharma China JV
China-focused life sciences and healthcare investor BVCF has led a RMB45 million ($7.5 million) Series A round of funding for Kunshan RiboQuark Pharmaceutical Technology, a joint venture established by Quark Pharmaceuticals and Suzhou Ribo Life Science.
LightInTheBox to buy VC-backed e-commerce player Ador
LightInTheBox, the venture capital-backed Chinese online retailer that went public in the US last year, has acquired US social e-commerce site Ador for an undisclosed sum.
CNEI ups takes in China’s Juxin International Leasing
China New Enterprise Investment (CNEI) has committed additional $16.3 million in Juxin International Leasing, increasing its stakes in the Chinese specialty leasing company to 19.08%.
Intel connects to car tech with SanJet
"The way things are evolving, there is more and more technology getting into the car - the functionality and electronics components are increasing," says Sudheer Kuppam, Intel Capital's managing director for Asia Pacific.
Longreach agrees Christmas carve-out
Christmas was delayed at the Longreach Group as the North Asia-focused private equity firm finalized an agreement to buy Japanese molded plastics manufacturer Sol-Plus Group on December 25, bringing to an end several weeks of negotiations.