China
VC-backed Chinese online education business files for US IPO
17 Education & Technology Group, a China-based education service provider that claims to pursue an integrated “in-school plus after-school” model, has filed for a US IPO.
Big platform creation in China coming to an end – AVCJ Forum
Opportunities to build Chinese platforms that can outperform segment leaders such as video-sharing apps Kuaishou and Douyin may not exist in the coming years, the AVCJ Forum heard.
Fund focus: Future Capital looks forward
Cloud-based infrastructure, logistics technology, mobility solutions and the internet of things are key themes for Future Capital as it begins to deploy its latest China-focused early-stage technology fund
CITIC exits data business to European GP
CITIC Capital is exiting its stake in business intelligence database provider ISI Emerging Markets Group to UK-based Montagu Private Equity.
Chinese noodle shop chain raises $68m Series D
Hefu Noodle, a Chinese noodle restaurant chain, has raised a RMB450 million ($68 million) Series D round co-led by Tencent Holdings and Longfor Capital, an investment unit of Hong Kong-listed property developer Longfor Group.
China agricultural drone maker XAG raises $182m
XAG, a Chinese manufacturer of agricultural drones, has raised a RMB1.2 billion ($182 million) round led by Baidu Capital and SoftBank Vision Fund II.
China open source software player raises $43m Series B
Zilliz, a Chinese open-source software developer specializing in unstructured data processing and analysis, has raised a $43 million Series B round led by Hillhouse Capital affiliate GL Ventures.
MBK makes $1.1b take-private offer for China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has followed up its purchase of a significant minority stake in car rental business China Auto Rental (CAR) with a take-private offer that values the company at HK$8.56 billion ($1.1 billion).
Virtual AGMs & IR: Up in the air
Private equity firms are still finding their feet with annual meetings that no longer take place on the ground. Like it or not, virtual engagement is set to become a larger part of investor relations from now on
China cloud communication start-up secures $60m Series D
XYLink, a Chinese cloud communication service platform, has raised a RMB400 million ($60 million) Series D round led by Qi An Xin, a cybersecurity spinout from Qihoo 360.
Asia consumer & brands: Mark tank
Local consumer brands in developing Asian markets are beginning to displace established global players. Investors are supporting the uprising and contemplating global breakouts of their own
Asia consumer & technology: Multifarious merchants
Technology is changing the way consumers interact with retailers both concrete and virtual. Ramping up the sociability factor has become a priority amid increasingly pervasive mechanization
GIC leads $200m round for Chinese teaching materials supplier
GIC Private has led a $200 million investment - the third tranche of Series D round - for Aixuexi Education Group, a China-based developer of teaching materials for schools. Warburg Pincus also participated.
China's Yingke raises $1.5b technology, healthcare fund
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has raised RMB10 billion ($1.5 billion) for a fund that will focus on core technology and biomedical science assets in China.
Manulife backs spinout from Hong Kong's JIDA
Manulife Investment Management is supporting the spinout of the team at Hong Kong infrastructure investor JIDA Capital, acquiring a significant minority stake in the new GP.
Asia consumer: Sale of the century
The traditionally slow-changing retail sector received an unexpected incentive to smarten up quickly this year. When the dust settles, shopping will never be the same again
MBK invests $228m in China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has agreed to invest HK$1.8 billion ($228.3 million) in Hong Kong-listed China Auto Rental (CAR), taking a 20.9% stake.
China distressed asset manager DCL raises $455m
DCL Investments, one of China’s first private equity firms to focus on distressed assets, has raised RMB3 billion ($455 million) for its latest renminbi-denominated vehicle.
China autonomous truck player Inceptio secures $120m
Inceptio, a Chinese autonomous driving technology provider focusing on line-haul trucking has raised $120 million in funding led by domestic vehicle battery manufacturer CATL.
Hillhouse, Boyu, CareCapital back condom maker
Chinese private equity firms Hillhouse Capital, Boyu Capital and CareCapital Partners, a specialist dental and consumer health investor, have paid $200 million for a 40% stake in condom brand LifeStyles.
China short video platform Kuaishou files for Hong Kong IPO
Kuaishou, a Chinese video sharing and social networking platform backed by the likes of Tencent Holdings, Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital and DST Global, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
China's Pony.ai hits $5.3b valuation with OTPP-led round
Canada’s Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTTP) has led a $267 million Series C round for Chinese autonomous driving technology supplier Pony.ai at a post-money valuation of $5.3 billion.
Cell analysis player Cytek raises $120m Series D
RA Capital and Hillhouse Capital have led a $120 million Series D round for Cytek Biosciences, a California-based cell analysis start-up founded by a former professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.
Hony closes debut China VC fund at $130m
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has closed its first venture capital fund at $130 million after approximately four months in the market.