Consumer
Catcha launches VC unit for Southeast Asia TMT deals
Southeast Asia-focused media company Catcha Group has launched a venture capital unit that will invest in new media, technology and mobile businesses throughout the region.
China’s Highsun plans $245m entertainment, internet fund
Guangdong Highsun Group, Chinese property developer and chemicals producer, is launching a RMB1.5 billion ($245 million) PE fund that will invest in entertainment and internet-related assets.
India taxi-booking app gets $210m round led by SoftBank
India taxi-booking app Ola has raised $210 million in a Series D round of funding led by SoftBank. Existing investors Tiger Global, Matrix Partners India and Steadview Capital also participated.
Softbank injects $627m into India e-commerce firm Snapdeal
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group has agreed to invest $627 million in Indian e-commerce site Snapdeal, bringing the start-up's total funding to more than $1 billion.
Mobile payments: Breaking down barriers
Driven by strong demand from consumers underserved by traditional payment channels, VC and strategic investors are increasingly active in Southeast Asia mobile payment. It is too early to identify winners.
India's Adlabs Imagica raises $8m from NYLIM, Jacob Ballas
Indian theme park operator Adlabs Entertainment has raised INR500 million ($8.18 million) in a pre-IPO round of investment from NYLIM Jacob Ballas India, a vehicle co-owned by New York Life Insurance Company and Jacob Ballas Capital.
Orchid Asia invests in Chinese apparel maker La Chapelle
Orchid Asia has taken a minority stake in Shanghai La Chapelle, a PE-backed ladies apparel manufacturer that listed in Hong Kong last month, for HK$122 million ($16 million).
Vertex leads investment in China household services app
Vertex Venture, an investment unit of Temasek Holdings, has led a Series B round for Ayibang, a Chinese housekeeping service booking app, with participation from Shunwei Capital Partners and Ceyuan Ventures.
Tencent, Tiger Global lead $350m round for China mobile shopping app
Koudai Gouwu, a Chinese mobile shopping portal, has raised a $350 million Series C round of funding led by Tencent Holdings and Tiger Global. H Capital, VY Capital and DST Advisors also participated.
SoftBank leads $100m round for Indonesia e-commerce player
SoftBank will lead a $100 million round of funding for Tokopedia, an Indonesian online marketplace. Sequoia Capital will also participate alongside existing investor SB Pan Asia Fund.
The Philippines: SE Asia's next big thing?
The Philippines has emerged from relative obscurity to become private equity’s latest nascent consumer play in Southeast Asia. Deal flow is slow and uncertain as investors get to grips with the opportunity.
TAP, KWAP invest in Malaysian snack maker
Southeast Asia-focused GP Tremendous Asia Partners (TAP) has teamed up with pension fund KWAP to buy a 30% stake in Munchy Group, a Malaysia-based snacks producer.
VC-backed eHi Car Rental invests in China’s Kuaidi Dache
Chinese car rental firm eHi Car Services, which has several VC backers and is targeting a US IPO, has invested $25 million in Kuaidi Dache, one of the country’s two dominant taxi-booking apps.
CIMB PE buys stake in Indonesia 7-Eleven operator
CIMB Private Equity has paid approximately $25 million for a 10% stake in the owner and operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store franchise in Indonesia.
GIC bags minority stake in Jimmy Choo at IPO
Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Private has taken a 4.6% stake in Jimmy Choo as the luxury shoemaker went public on the London Stock Exchange at a valuation of GBP546 million ($879 million).
CDH to realize $1.6b from WH Group through share pledge
CDH Investments, the largest PE shareholder in WH Group, will return capital to LPs by pledging shares in the Chinese pork processor worth an estimated HK$12.6 billion ($1.6 billion).
QIA pays $616m for stake in Hong Kong department store operator
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has bought a 19.9% stake in Lifestyle International Holdings – a Hong Kong-listed retailer whose properties include SOGO department stores – for HK$4.78 billion ($616.2 million).
Warburg Pincus gets approval for $191m India jeweler deal – update
Warburg Pincus has won approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to purchase of a 24% stake in Kaylan Jewellers for $191 million.
PE-backed Wanda Cinema seeks for $326m in A-share IPO
China’s largest movie theater chain Wanda Cinema Line Corporation, which has a string of PE investors, has won regulatory approval for an IPO that could raise RMB2 billion ($326 million) in Shenzhen.
PE-backed Hunan Juwei Food files for A-share IPO
Hunan Juwei Food, a Chinese snack food maker backed by JD Capital and Fosun Venture, has filed for an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
China’s Suning sells stores to CITIC Goldstone for $655m
Suning Commerce Group, China's leading home appliance retailer, has sold 11 stores to CITIC Securities’ direct investment arm Goldstone Investment for RMB4.01 billion ($655 million).
India’s Snapdeal set for $650m funding round – report
Indian e-commerce business Snapdeal is expected to raise up to $650 million in a new round of funding lead by Japan's SoftBank Corporation with existing investors also participating.
Bain leads $18m investment in Korean car-sharing service
Bain Capital has led a KRW18 billion ($18 million) Series A round of funding for Socar, a Korean car sharing company.
Navis makes Modern Star education play
Just over a year ago, Navis Capital Partners bought Australian childcare services provider Guardian Early Learning from fellow PE investor Wolseley Private Equity for A$120 million ($110 million). The idea then was to anticipate the rise in the demand...