Growth capital
Rocket Internet cuts valuation on fashion portal, raises $339m
Start-up incubator Rocket Internet and Sweden's Investment AB Kinnevik have committed EUR300 million ($339 million) to their emerging markets-focused online fashion portal Global Fashion Group (GFG), at a valuation of EUR1 billion.
Deal focus: VCs see quality in Yummy Express' asset-heavy business model
While most logistics start-ups dedicated to serving China's online food-ordering platforms hire part-time staff through crowdsourcing, Yummy Express recruits full-time employees to provide a consistent service
China online flower seller Roseonly raises $31m
Roseonly, a Chinese start-up that specializes in selling rose bouquets online, has raised RMB190 million ($31 million) in a Series C round of funding led by Genesis Capital.
SAIF participates in $155m round for Baidu video unit
SAIF Partners has participated in a RMB1 billion ($155 million) round of funding for Baidu Video, a new online video affiliate created by Chinese search giant Baidu.
GRC leads round for China auto services platform Weiche
Weiche, a mobile app that targets car owners in China, has completed a RMB152 million ($24 million) Series B round of funding led by GRC SinoGreen Fund.
Deal focus: Kaizen backs loans for learning
Supported by Kaizen and Zephyr Peacock India, non-banking finance company Varthana wants to provide funding to Indian schools that would otherwise go without
TPG leads $150m round for India's Janalakshmi
TPG Capital has led a $150 million round of funding for Indian microfinance lender Janalakshmi Financial Services.
China online truck logistics platform secures $35m
Huochebang, a China-based online logistics platform that allows truck shipment tracking, has raised a $35 million round of funding led by Genesis Capital.
T. Rowe Price marks down Flipkart valuation
Mutual fund T. Rowe Price has marked down its valuation of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, along with a number of its other technology portfolio companies.
Fosun Kinzon leads $23m round for China’s Huivo
Fosun Kinzon Capital, a VC arm of Fosun Group, has led a RMB150 million ($23 million) extended Series B round of funding for Huivo, a Chinese online education solutions provider for kindergartens.
China online finance site Licaifan completes $51m round
Licaifan, a Chinese online finance platform, has raised a RMB330 million ($51 million) Series C round of funding from domestic investor Yingda Investment.
China discounted e-commerce site Juanpi raises $93m
Juanpi.com, a Chinese online platform selling discounted consumer products, has raised a RMB600 million ($93 million) Series C round of funding co-led by Tiantu Capital and China Merchant Bank International.
Chinese online grocer FreshMarket raises $38m round
Addor Capital has led a RMB249 million ($38 million) Series C round of funding for FreshMarket, an online grocery service based in China.
Alibaba invests $1.25b in food delivery platform Ele.me
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and its online finance affiliate Ant Financial Services Group have invested $1.25 billion in Ele.me, a VC-backed online food-ordering platform.
China serviced apartment chain Mofang raises $300m
Mofang Gongyu, a Shanghai-based serviced apartment chain operator, has raised $300 million in a Series C round of funding led by AVIC Trust. Existing backer Warburg Pincus also participated.
GGV reaches $1.2b final close on Sino-US VC fund
GGV Capital has closed its latest VC fund at $1.2 billion across three vehicles – a core venture fund, an early stage fund and an entrepreneurs fund – that will target start-ups and growth-stage technology deals in China and the US.
China Growth Capital leads round for auto-focused lending platform
China Growth Capital has led an extended RMB217 million ($34 million) Series A round for Chedai.com, a Chinese automobile financial lending platform.
DSG reaches $35m first close on second fund - report
Indian consumer-focused private equity firm DSG Consumer Partners is said to have reached a first close of $35 million on its second fund.
KKR, Anchor-backed Ticket Monster gets NHN investment
Ticket Monster, a South Korea-based e-commerce marketplace controlled by KKR and Anchor Equity Partners, has received a KRW47.5 billion ($40 million) investment from online gaming provider NHN Entertainment (NHNE) in what is expected to be the first tranche...
Everbright ReinFore closes debut China fund at $355m
Everbright ReinFore, a China-focused PE firm that spun out from an offshore asset management arm of China Everbright Group, has reached a final close on its debut fund at approximately $355 million across two vehicles.
Orchid Asia, Eastern Bell in Series B for China’s Weimeizi
Orchid Asia Group and Eastern Bell Ventures have provided a Series B round of funding for Weimeizi, a Chinese personal care products manufacturer.
JD Finance invests in VC-backed Meili Jinrong
JD Finance, the financial subsidiary of Chinese online retailer JD.com, has invested an undisclosed sum in Meili Jinrong, a peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending platform with a focus on consumer finance. Both companies are backed by several VC investors.
Indonesia private equity: Green shoots?
While Indonesia’s VC industry is taking off, private equity firms have found the last few years challenging due to economic headwinds. GPs are now feeling most positive, thanks in part to government policy
Q&A: NDE Capital's John Lin
With a remit to target cross-border investments that incorporate China and Southeast Asia, NDE Capital is an active player in Indonesia. John Lin, the firm’s managing partner, explains why he is bullish about the market