Growth capital
Legend Capital, SIG lead Series C for China's PPDai
Legend Capital and SIG Asia Investment have led a Series C round of funding for PPDai, which claims to be the first and largest peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform in China.
Mandala backs Indian agriculture finance business
Mandala Capital has invested INR1.1 billion ($17.9 million) in Sustainable Agro-commercial Finance (SAFL), a agriculture-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC) controlled by India's Jain Irrigation Systems (JISL).
GGV, Shunwei invest in China education site Xiaozhan Jiaoyu
GGV Capital and Shunwei Capital Partners have co-led a $29 million Series B round of funding for Xiaozhan Jiaoyu, a Chinese online education platform that focuses on students studying abroad.
PE-backed film studio gets funding from China's Huayi
STX Entertainment, a Hollywood studio set up with support from Hony Capital and TPG Capital, has secured a three-year financing deal with China’s Huayi Brothers Media Corp. to release 12-15 movies a year by 2016.
India's AppsDaily raises 16m Series C from Zodius, others
Zodius Capital has led a $16 million Series C round for Indian mobile app developer and distributor AppsDaily, with participation by current investors Kalaari Capital, ru-Net Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures.
China exits: Liquidity lags
Despite the return of domestic listings, many China PE investors are struggling on distributions. Much rests on the success of IPO reforms, the ability to execute trade sales, and an unblocking of the secondary market
India microfinance: Acorns to oaks
Several large funding rounds – plus the birth of a new bank – have shown how far India’s microfinance institutions have come in just four years. But more is to come, and more VC backing will be required
China's middle market: Small is beautiful
What has become of China's middle-market GPs? Twelve managers reached final closes in 2014 of $301-750 million. All bar two of them were raising venture capital funds.
PEs seek a harvest in rural India
A tractor is one of the most versatile tools on a farm, but it is out of reach for many in rural India because they have no access to credit.
Banyan leads $50m Series A for China education platform
Banyan Capital has led a $50 million Series A round of funding for Genshuixue, committing $41 million to the online education platform.
CMC, New Horizon lead $60m round for China education site
CMC Capital Partners and New Horizon Capital have co-led a $60 million Series D round of funding for Yuantiku, valuing the Chinese online education platform at $360 million.
CDH participates in $483m round for Chinese P2P lending platform
CDH Investments has participated in a RMB3 billion round ($483 million) round of funding for Shanghai Lujiazui International Financial Asset Exchange (Lufax), a Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform controlled by Ping An Insurance Group.
China sex toy online retailer Chunshuitang raises $13m
New Margin Ventures and Shenzhen Cowin Capital have committed RMB80 million ($13 million) in a Series B round of funding for Chunshuitang.com, a Chinese sex toy e-commerce site.
China travel social media site raises C round
Mafengwo, a Chinese travel social media platform, has raised a Series C round of funding from Hillhouse Capital Management, Qiming Venture Partners, hedge fund Coatue Management and technology firm Cobuilder.
Taiwan's 91App raises $9m from AppWorks, CID
91App, a Taiwan-based start-up that helps e-commerce companies set up mobile apps, has secured a Series A round of funding worth $9 million led by local incubator AppWorks.
Chinese smart bicycle maker raises $15m
700Bike, a Chinese smart bicycle manufacturer, has raised a Series A round of funding worth $15 million from Banyan Capital, China Growth Capital and IDG Capital Partners.
Malaysia's Ekuinas buys mobile payments firm, school chain
Ekuinas, the Malaysian government-backed private equity investor, has acquired two companies - mobile payment platform Tranglo and private school chain Tenby Educare - for a total MYR124 million($33.8 million).
PE investors commit $96m to Indian microfinance player
A consortium of private equity firms, including CX Partners, CDC Group, NewQuest Capital Partners and Bajaj Holdings, have invested INR6 billion ($96.2 million) in Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Ujjivan Financial Services.
IFC proposes $20m investment in India's NxtGen Technology
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of up to $20 million in Indian IT data center construction and management firm NxtGen Technology, in a deal that will involve both equity and debt.
China's Tiantu commits $32m in dining mobile app
Chinese consumer-focused GP Tiantu Capital has invested RMB200 million ($32 million) in a Series A round of funding for Kaizhuo, a mobile app can be used to make restaurant bookings and payments.
CDH invests in Southeast Asia equipment leasing business
CDH Investments has committed an undisclosed sum to Aver Asia Corporation, a Southeast Asia-based equipment leasing business. It is the latest in a clutch of deals the China-based GP has secured outside of its home market.
INCJ invests in Japan laser manufacturer Spectronix
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has agreed to invest up to JPY500 million ($4.2 million) in laser manufacturer Spectronix.
Sequoia supports Noah's online China financial platform
Sequoia Capital has invested in Shanghai Noah Yijie Financial Tech, an internet finance subsidiary owned by Noah Holdings. The investment amounts to multi-millions of dollars.
Kedaara invests $32m in Indian packaging firm
Kedaara Capital has invested INR2 billion ($31.8 million) in India's Parkson Packaging - a maker of printing and laminated packaging cartons backed by ChrysCapital - in return for an undisclosed stake.