Impact investment
Australia's V2Food gets $53m Series B extension
Australian vegetarian meat brand V2Food has raised A$72 million ($53 million) in a Series B extension featuring Belgium-based impact investor Astanor Ventures.
Incofin hits $60m first close on India impact fund
Belgium-based Incofin Investment Management, which focuses on financial inclusion and developing market agri-food segments, has reached a first close of $60 million for an India impact fund.
KKR impact fund backs Australasian edtech player
KKR’s global impact investment fund has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Australia and New Zealand-based Education Perfect, a provider of digital teaching and learning toolkits for schools, at a valuation of NZ$455 million ($320 million).
Singapore's Circulate launches VC fund to disrupt plastics waste
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investor dedicated to stemming plastic waste pollution in South and Southeast Asia, has achieved a $14 million first close on a new venture capital fund.
Singapore's Heritas hits first close on Asia impact fund
Heritas Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm sponsored by industrial conglomerate IMC Group, has reached a first close of $60 million on a pan-Asia impact investment fund.
KKR impact fund backs Vietnam K-12 business
KKR is mobilizing its recently established global impact fund to invest Vietnamese K-12 bilingual school operator EQuest Education.
DFIs help Nepal impact fund to $40m first close
Development finance institutions (DFIs) featured prominently in a $40 million first close for the second impact fund from Nepal-focused Dolma Fund Management. The target is $75 million.
CDC, FMO, SDC launch Nepal investment platform
European development finance institutions CDC Group and FMO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) have jointly launched a market building platform in Nepal.
Deal focus: Temasek supports impact’s giant leap
Impact specialist LeapFrog Investments will use Temasek’s financial backing to broaden its reach, in terms of sectors and geographies, as well as to anchor future funds
ESG scoring: Measured approach
Investors are encouraged to keep experimenting in quantifying and qualifying the real-world outcomes of their sustainable investment programs. Every report is imperfect yet worthwhile
CDC doubles down on India's Ecom Express
UK development finance institution CDC Group has invested $20 million in Indian e-commerce player Ecom Express. It follows a $36 million investment from CDC last year.
Temasek agrees $500m tie-up with impact investor LeapFrog
Temasek Holdings has committed $500 million to Asia and Africa-focused impact investor LeapFrong Investments, which will see it participate as an anchor LP in the firm’s future funds.
LeapFrog names co-head of healthcare
Asia and Africa-focused impact investor LeapFrog Investments has recruited Biju Mohandas as a partner and global co-lead for healthcare.
Temasek impact arm leads Series B for Vietnam dental player
ABC World Asia, the impact investment arm of Temasek Holdings, has led a $24 million Series B found for Kim Dental, a Vietnam-based dental clinic operator. Existing backer Aura Private Equity also participated.
SEAF hits first close on Southeast Asia women’s fund
The Southeast Asia division of US-headquartered impact private equity firm SEAF has reached a first close of at least $16 million for a women’s economic empowerment fund.
Rise Fund leads Series D for Chinese art tuition platform
The Rise Fund, TPG’s impact investment vehicle, has led a $210 million Series D round of funding for Meishubao, a China-based online art education platform.
SIP brings PE value-add to COVID-19 hit HK social enterprises
Social Impact Partners (SIP), a Hong Kong-based venture philanthropy organization supported by several private equity firms, has been drawing on industry resources to support portfolio organizations that face financial and operational challenges because...
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2021
Industry professionals process the upheavals of 2020 to inform outlooks for a range of markets and investment themes. Realist bullishness abounds
Cathay Capital appoints chief impact officer
Cathay Capital has named Matthieu van der Elst, formerly CEO of France’s Michelin Ventures, as its first chief impact officer.
UOB, Credit Suisse hit $60m first close on Asia impact fund
UOB Venture Management (UOBVM) and Credit Suisse have raised approximately $60 million in a first closing on their second Asia impact investment fund.
Profile: Aavishkaar's Vineet Rai
Vineet Rai’s career in impact investing started before the concept really existed. Spurred – but also slightly troubled – by mainstream awareness, he has big plans for India-based Aavishkaar Group
COVID-19 amplifies focus on societal issues - AVCJ Forum
Concerns that impact investment would get pushed to the margins in the chaos of COVID-19 have been confounded by a renewed emphasis on social issues created by the pandemic, according to industry participants.
Deal focus: Green Monday finds mission-aligned investors
Green Monday, the Hong Kong plant-based food distributor behind the Green Common retail chain and OmniPork alternative meats, has raised its first institutional round of funding.
Rise Fund, Swire back Asia plant-based food specialist
The Rise Fund, TPG’s impact investment vehicle, and Hong Kong conglomerate Swire Pacific have led a $70 million round for Green Monday Holdings, a Hong Kong plant-based protein provider.