Consumer
Lightspeed China closes US dollar fund at $560m
Lightspeed China Partners has closed its latest US dollar-denominated fund at $560 million. It is the largest fund raised by the firm to date and brings assets under management to $1.5 billion.
Deal focus: Cool Japan helps Spiber spin chic new web
Cool Japan has taken a new angle on its cultural investment thesis with Spiber, a biotechnology developer bringing next-generation materials to the apparel industry
Chinese smart retail services provider raises $100m
Xianlife, a Beijing-based smart retail service provider, has received $100 million in funding together with its subsidiary Good Neighbors Convenience Stores.
PE and aquaculture: Fishtech of the future
Rising consumer demand for high-quality products and the emergence of technologies that allow greater efficiency are driving investor interest in Asia’s previously overlooked aquaculture industry
PE-backed Chinese fashion platform Mogujie files for US IPO
Chinese online shopping and social networking business Mogujie has filed to list in the US. The company's investors include Tencent Holdings, Trustbridge Partners, and Hillhouse Capital.
China’s LightInTheBox to acquire VC-backed Ezbuy
Chinese online retailer LightInTheBox has agreed to acquire Southeast Asian e-commerce operator Ezbuy for $85.55 million through a share swap.
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
Joy Capital seeks $300m for China opportunity fund
Joy Capital, a Chinese VC firm that spun out from Legend Capital, has launched a domestic opportunity fund with a target of $300 million.
India's IvyCap launches $8m angel fund
India’s IvyCap Ventures has launched an angel fund targeting INR600 million ($8.2 million) that will make seed to Series A-stage investments.
Bain seeks $3.5b for fourth Asia fund
Bain Capital Private Equity has set a target of $3.5 billion for its fourth Asia fund and is expected to complete a first and final close in December.
Myanmar's Anthem reaches first close on SME fund
Myanmar private equity firm Anthem Asia has reached a first close of $34.5 million on its debut fund, which will invest locally in small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Korea macro: Tempered tiger
Korea’s economic momentum has simmered down as demographic, political and industrial evolutions suggest a structural decline. Investors are monitoring the transition with a conditional sense of optimism
Cathay reaches $700m first close on Sino-European fund
Cathay Capital Private Equity has reached a first close of EUR600 million ($702 million) for its latest middle-market Sino-European fund. The target is EUR1.2 billion.
China’s Ganesh launches $250m India VC fund
Ganesh Ventures, a Chinese investor focused on India, has reached a first close of $30 million for a VC fund targeting $250 million.
Delta Capital closes Myanmar fund at $70m
Delta Capital Myanmar, formerly known as PMM Partners, has achieved a final close of about $70 million for its second private equity fund. The GP was targeting $100 million.
China's Ono gets $16m Series A round
A group of VCs including China Growth Capital have agreed to invest $16 million in Ono, a China-based company that claims to be the creator of the first decentralized social network.
Next 10 secures $50m for user-generated content fund
Next 10 Ventures, a US and Singapore-based GP headed by former YouTube and Warner Bros executives, has raised $50 million for a fund focused on user-generated media content businesses.
EQT closes Asia mid-market fund at $800m
EQT Partners has closed its Asia-focused middle market private equity fund on target with $800 million in commitments.
SIG leads $13.5m round for US, China-based Castbox
SIG China has led a $13.5 million Series B funding round for Castbox, a US and China-based podcasting platform with content in multiple languages.
Japan hiking app provider gets Series B
Japan-based hiking app provider Yamap has raised a JPY1.2 billion ($11.1 million) Series B funding round from a group of domestic investors including Advantage Partners-owned outdoor sports equipment retailer Ishii Sports.
New Zealand's Farm Venture launches $109m agri fund
Farm Venture, a farm property investment and operations management business based in New Zealand, has launched an agribusiness fund that aims to raise NZ$150 million ($109 million).
India’s Lighthouse reaches $150m first close on Fund III
Lighthouse Funds has reached a first close of $150 million on its third India-focused growth capital fund.
Gobi's Victor Chua leaves to launch SE Asia VC firm
Victor Chua has left a position as vice president focusing on Southeast Asia at Gobi Partners to launch his own Malaysia-based VC firm, Vynn Capital.
NDE reaches $357m close on Fund II, raises hard cap
Chinese private equity firm NDE Capital has confirmed a third close for its second fund with $357 million in commitments, surpassing a $350 million hard cap. It has raised the targeted corpus to $450 million.