Bangladesh
Frontier market fundraising: Roads less travelled
As fundraising slows globally, GPs in frontier markets are more dependent than ever on multilateral development banks. That’s not a major problem now, but in a long downturn, it could become one
CDC expands Asia footprint
UK development finance institution CDC Group, already an active investor in South Asia, has announced a strategic pivot toward the broader region with a special interest in Southeast Asia.
Deal focus: ShopUp champions the iron triangle
As a first mover in Bangladesh’s B2B e-commerce space, ShopUp moved quickly into services, logistics, and finance. This inadvertent super app now has $75 million in Series B funding to show for its efforts
Bangladesh’s ShopUp raises $75m Series B
Valar Ventures, a firm set up by PayPal co-founder and early Facebook investor Peter Thiel, has led a $75 million Series B round for Bangladeshi B2B platform ShopUp.
CDC expands VC program with South Asia focus
UK development finance institution CDC Group has engaged two venture capital industry veterans as part of a VC program expansion in Africa and South Asia.
Sequoia joins $22.5m round for Bangladesh's ShopUp
Sequoia Capital India and US-based Flourish Ventures have led a $22.5 million Series A round for Bangladesh B2B platform ShopUp. It is both firms’ first investment in the country.
ADQ launches $300m India, Southeast Asia VC fund
ADQ, a state-owned holding company in the United Arab Emirates, has launched an AED1.1 billion fund ($300 million) that will invest in Indian and Southeast Asian start-ups with expansion plans in the Middle East.
Bangladesh-focused VC makes debut investment
Anchorless Bangladesh, a New York-headquartered VC firm dedicated to the country, has made its debut investment in a local logistics start-up.
Rise Fund buys Bangladesh hospital operator
Evercare, a South Asia and Africa-focused healthcare delivery platform controlled by The Rise Fund, TPG Capital’s impact investment unit, has acquired Bangladesh-based Apollo Hospitals Dhaka.
Deal focus: CDC gets comfortable in Bangladesh
Backing small business lender BRAC Bank and establishing an office in Dhaka is part of CDC Group's wider plan to more than double its exposure to Bangladesh over the next three years
CDC names Bangladeshi head, invests local bank
UK-based development finance institution CDC Group has cemented its presence in Bangladesh through an investment in local lender BRAC Bank and the naming of a country director.
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
CDC anchors Global Environment Fund spin-out
UK development finance institution CDC Group has anchored a $130 million first close for a fund managed by a South Asian spin-out of US-based Global Environmental Fund Capital Advisors.
Alibaba buys Rocket-backed South Asia e-commerce business
Alibaba Group has acquired Daraz, an e-commerce platform incubated by Rocket Internet that is the market leader in Pakistan and has a presence in several other South Asian countries.
South Asia: Indian satellites
India’s economic dominance of South Asia has not translated into a firm leadership role for the region. Private equity strategies therefore vary widely across the country’s immediate geographic orbit
IFC proposes $55m investment in Bangladesh's Pran
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a $55 million commitment to Bangladesh-based food and beverage producer Pran Group.
Singapore's Prestellar raises $100m VC fund
Prestellar Ventures, a Singapore-based GP backed by two Nepalese companies as well as Indian microfinance institution Satin Creditcare and India-focused investor Frontline Strategies, has raised a $100 million fund.
Impact investors and Asian banks: Developing interest
Despite the rise of non-banking finance companies, traditional banks in emerging markets still appeal to impact investors. Using them to their potential means adapting to each market
IFC proposes $55m investment in Bangladeshi bank
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $55 million in Bangladesh’s Dhaka Bank.
IFC to invest $165m in Bangladesh energy firm
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has agreed to provide $165 million in debt financing to the Bangladeshi subsidiary of Singapore-based energy firm Sembcorp Utilities.
IFC, EMA Power invest $176m in Bangladesh's Summit
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has joined EMA Power Investment to invest $175.5 million in Bangladeshi independent power producer Summit Corporation (SCL).
Rocket-backed frontier markets e-commerce platforms to merge
Two Asian frontier markets e-commerce platforms created by Rocket Internet – Daraz and Kaymu – have agreed to merge.
Deal focus: CDC backs frontier e-commerce strategy
Daraz gets $55 million to build out its online retail marketplace in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar
CDC invests $55m in Asia frontier markets online retailer
CDC Group, the UK development finance institution, has invested EUR50 million ($55 million) in Daraz, an online retailer operating in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.