China
China's MSA receives VC fund commitment from Al Waha
China-based MSA Capital, also known as MagicStone Alternative Investments, has confirmed that Middle Eastern investor Al Waha has made an LP commitment to its second venture capital fund.
Chinese renovation materials trading platform raises $18m
Little Bear, a Shanghai-based B2B platform that matches buyers with suppliers of renovation materials, has raised RMB130 million ($18 million) led by Immensus Capital, with participation from Matrix Partners China and Yunqi Capital.
Legend joins $70m round for China pet food producer
Gambol, a Chinese pet food producer has secured a RMB500 million ($70 million) Series B from Legend Capital and Industrial Bank.
Chinese cosmetic surgery business seeks $32.5m in US IPO
Aesthetic Medical International Holdings, a Chinese cosmetic surgery chain that failed to get traction with a Hong Kong IPO four years ago, has filed to list in the US. Its private equity backers include IDG Capital and ADV Partners.
China apartment rental platforms: Illogical letting
Qingke, a Chinese long-term apartment rental operator, is looking to go public at a time when many of its peers are going out of business. Pursuing scale at the expense of sustainability is the core problem
Chinese medical SaaS platform raises $14m Series B
Mingyi Zhonghe, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform serving China’s rural clinics, has secured a RMB100 million ($14 million) Series B round led by Sinovation Ventures. Existing investor Yijing Capital re-upped.
Ant Financial invests $92m in Chinese e-signature provider
TSign – a China-based electronic signature service provider – has received RMB650 million ($92 million) in Series C funding led by Alibaba Group affiliate Ant Financial. Other investors include Gobi Partners and Eminence Ventures.
Actis commits $180m to China data center business
Actis has invested $64 million in Chinese data center operator Chayora and plans to commit up to $180 million to the company as part of a Series C funding round.
VCs set for exit as Alibaba buys China cybersecurity start-up
Alibaba Cloud, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has agreed to acquire Chaitin Technology, a Chinese cybersecurity start-up backed by Matrix Partners and Qiming Venture Partners.
Chinese online property marketplace set for IPO
Fangdd Network, a Chinese online real estate marketplace backed by the likes of FountainVest Partners and CDH Investments, has filed to list in the US.
VC-backed Chinese AI companies hit by US blacklisting
Eight Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups have been blacklisted by the US government. Several have received PE and VC funding, including SenseTime and Megvii Technology.
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
Q&A: Natixis' Raghu Narain
Raghu Narain, head of investment banking for Asia Pacific at Natixis, discusses the macro backdrop for China’s M&A market and how shifting priorities will color deal flow to come
Chinese apartment rental platform Qingke pursues US IPO
Q&K International Group, operator of China-based long-term apartment rentals platform Qingke, has filed for a US IPO. Its backers include Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Crescent Point.
Chinese fresh produce retailer Benlai raises $200m
Chinese online fresh produce retailer Benlai Group has raised $200 million in the first tranche of a Series D round led by Mingde Holding. Existing investors Gaorong Capital and CDH investments re-upped.
Cortina targets $100m for Australia cross-border fund
Cortina Capital, a private equity firm that invests in Australian health and wellness brands with export potential in China and other Asian markets, is looking to raise $100 million for its debut fund, AVCJ understands.
Tencent injects $150m into China's VIPKid
VIPKid, China-based English language learning platform, has announced the completion of a Series E funding round led by Tencent Holdings.
Co-Stone leads $28m Series B for Chinese gene sequencer
Gene+ Technology, a Chinese provider of gene sequencing services used to support cancer diagnoses, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in a Series B round led by Co-Stone Asset Management.
Industrial intrigue: China's industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is a handy buzzword for those selling a manufacturing upgrade story in China, but implementation remains a challenge. Smart Fabric’s efforts make it the exception to the rule
Chinese start-up media player 36Kr files for US IPO
36Kr, a Chinese news service that covers start-ups and emerging business models, has filed for a US IPO.
Hopu invests $119m in Chinese airport operator
Hopu Investments has agreed to invest HK$933 million ($119 million) in Regal International Airport, which operates Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan province and has ties to troubled Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.
Chinese snacks business receives $14m Series B
A1 Snack Lab – a Chinese snack brand based in Xiamen - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series B funding from new and existing investors.
PE-backed Chinese health products distributor files for US IPO
Ecmoho, a China-based online distributor of health and wellness products from leading brands such as Abbott and Wyeth Nutrition, has filed for US IPO.
PE-owned Belle to spin-out Chinese sports retail business
Belle International – the Chinese footwear retailer privatized by Hillhouse Capital and CDH Investments just over two years ago – is spinning out its sports retail unit through an IPO.