Sectors
AVCJ Awards 2021: Responsible Investment: The Arnott’s Group
In taking ownership of an iconic Australian brand like Tim Tam, KKR was conscious of the need to be a market leader on sustainability. Progress is being made across sourcing, emissions, and packaging
Deal focus: Inspiration snares rare China mid-cap tech buyout
Antute, a third-party IT maintenance provider, became an orphan asset following a larger M&A deal. Inspiration Capital Partners sees it as an attractive play on China’s digitalisation drive
Portfolio: Aspirant Group and Yamato Group
Improving cost controls and realising efficiencies underpinned Aspirant Group’s investment thesis for Japanese fish retailer Yamato Group, and they have helped the company withstand external pressures
Deal focus: Faux fowl fast-forwards
Next Gen Foods is pushing hard to popularise its meatless chicken brand Tindle in the name of climate action. The largest-ever Series A round in alternative protein is jumpstarting the campaign
Deal focus: Nexus Point doubles down on dentistry
With a dentist clinic chain already in the portfolio, Nexus Point Capital has backed a B2B procurement platform that services clinics. It is a firm believer in the industry’s tailwinds
Deal focus: Freemium works for Dianxiaomi
China cross-border e-commerce services platform Dianxiaomi has achieved traction, and profitability, by only charging for value-added services. Its Series C will fuel global expansion
China cancer drug developer InxMed raises $50m
InxMed, a China-based biotech company focused on oncology treatments, has raised a USD 50m Series B round led by SDIC China Merchants Investment.
Australia's AGL rejects Brookfield, Grok Ventures bid
Australia-based utility AGL Energy has rebuffed another acquisition attempt from Brookfield Asset Management and Grok Ventures, a private investment firm established by Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian.
India's CredAvenue sees 3x valuation jump in six months
Indian small business credit platform CredAvenue has raised a USD 137m round featuring B Capital Group at a valuation of USD 1.3b, up 3x in the past six months.
Korean GP Credian sponsors $200m US SPAC offering
Seoul-based private equity firm Credian Partners has teamed up with CrystalBioSciences, a captive VC unit of biopharmaceutical company CrystalGenomics, to raise USD 200m for a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
Creador makes second SE Asia food investment in five months
Malaysia-based Creador has acquired a significant minority stake in local food industry supplier Custom Food Ingredients for an undisclosed sum as part of a category platform play.
Accel raises $650m for seventh India fund
Accel Partners has raised USD 650m for its seventh India VC fund, which will also make early-stage investments in Southeast Asia. The firm’s total assets under management in the region now top USD 2bn.
BGH seeks regulatory action amid battle for Australia's Virtus
BGH Capital has asked Australia’s Takeovers Panel to intervene a second time in its pursuit of Virtus Health after the fertility care business resolved to engage with CapVest Partners and not entertain BGH’s improved offer.
China 3D cell culture business secures Series B
CytoNiche, a Beijing-based provider of 3D micro-structure engineering technology used for stem cell research, has raised nearly CNY 300m (USD 47m) in a Series B led by Gaorong Capital and CICC Capital.
Australia's Saluda Medical raises $125m
US-based healthcare investor Redmile Group has led a USD 125m round for Australia’s Saluda Medical, a devices company focused on spinal cord stimulation.
India edtech player Filo gets $23m Series A
Filos, an India-based instant live-tutoring platform, has raised USD 23m in Series A funding led by US investor Anthos Capital. It is said to be the largest-ever Series A in India’s education technology space.
China's VC-backed Perfect Corp agrees $1bn SPAC merger
Perfect Corp, a Chinese software developer specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) solutions that allow consumers to experience brands, has agreed to merge with a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at...
CLSA acquires Japan childcare operator
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired a majority stake in Japanese childcare facility operator Task-Force for an undisclosed sum.
Headline leads Series B for Australian payments start-up Zeller
Australian payments provider Zeller has closed an AUD 100m (USD 73m) Series B round led by Headline, a US venture capital firm, and supported by domestic superannuation fund Hostplus.
China logistics player Jumeng raises $100m
Fortuna Capital has led a USD 100m investment in Shanghai truck-based logistics platform Jumeng Logistcs, described as the third tranche in a Series B round. IDG Capital also took part.
China VC: Funding puzzles
Late-stage investors are appearing in earlier funding rounds in China, offering premium valuations but potentially leaving start-ups in situations where they have too much too soon
China 5G chip designer Cygnus raises $100m
Chinese 5G chip design company Cygnus Semiconductor has raised USD 100m in Series A funding and an extended pre-Series A round led by Matrix Partners China and Wofo Capital.
China e-commerce SaaS player secures $100m Series C
China-based e-commerce software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider Dianxiaomi has secured a USD 100m Series C round led by Tiger Global Management and Huaxing Growth Capital.
Singapore's Volopay gets $29m Series A
Singapore’s Volopay, a B2B financial technology provider specialising in cross-border transactions, has raised USD 29m in Series A funding led by Justin Mateen, co-founder of Tinder.