Logistics
Blume, Tiger Global invest $30m in warehouse robotics start-up
Tiger Global Management and Blume Ventures have led a $30 million Series B round of funding for Indian warehouse robotics developer GreyOrange Robotics.
Rebright backs Indian logistics firm LetsTransport
Indian last-mile logistics marketplace LetsTransport has raised $1.3 million from Rebright Partners, along with several angel investors.
China’s HNA buys Swissport International from PAI Partners
China’s HNA Group has agreed to buy ground handling and cargo services provider Swissport International from PAI Partners for CHF2.7 billion ($2.8 billion).
Deal focus: Blume re-ups with RoadRunnr
With the mega-rounds raised by the likes of Snapdeal and Flipkart grabbing headlines over the past 18 months, the e-commerce space has been at the vanguard of India’s venture capital boom. But as well as offering a platform for a new generation tech...
GLP forms $7b China logistics fund
Singapore-listed warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties (GLP) has launched a $7 billion fund for developing logistics facilities in China.
Deal focus: Carlyle targets e-commerce supply chain
An estimated RMB12.3 trillion ($2 trillion) worth of goods were transacted online in China last year and gross merchandise value (GMV) will nearly double to RMB24.2 trillion over the next three years, according to consultancy iResearch. This has prompted...
Canada’s Ivanhoe, CBRE in Chinese warehouse play
Ivanhoé Cambridge, a real estate investment arm of Canada's pension fund the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), has partnered with CBRE Global Investment Partners to invest in Logos China Logistics Clubs, a Chinese warehouse developer...
Cathay Capital invests in French marine service provider SeaOwl
Cathay Capital Private Equity has invested in SeaOwl, a French-based marine management service provider.
Carlyle to invest $120m in Shanghai ANE Logistics
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest $120 million in Shanghai ANE Logistics, a Chinese logistics and courier services provider.
VCs commit $20m to China logistics cloud solution provider
IDG Capital Partners, Matrix Partners and Yunqi Ventures have provided $20 million in Series A funding to Olymtech Corporation, a Chinese cloud solutions specialist that focuses on the logistics industry.
Sequoia, Kae lead round for India logistics marketplace
Sequoia Capital and Kae Capital have led a INR350 million ($5.5 million) Series A round for Indian online logistics marketplace Porter, with participation from three strategic angel investors.
Hong Kong's GoGovan gets $10m Series B round
Hong Kong app-enabled logistics start-up GoGoVan has raised $10 million in Series B round of funding. Investors in the round included Hu Zemin, the former CEO of Android app store 91 Wireless, and social media firm RenRen.
Hong Kong storage start-up Boxful raises $6.6m
Hong Kong-based "valet storage" start-up Boxful has raised a HK$51.1 million ($6.6 million) Series A round from a consortium including Arocrest Capital, Lonsdale Capital, and several real estate investors.
MC-Seamax closes maiden shipping fund at $300m
MC-Seamax Managagement, the US-based GP backed by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, has reached a $300 million close on its maiden fund intended to take advantage of depressed prices in the global shipping industry.
Deal focus: RRJ doubles down on e-commerce logistics
When RRJ Capital first committed $250 million to Shanghai Yupei Group in April 2014, Temasek Holdings was its sole partner in the investment. The company had 16 warehouses with a total gross floor area of more than 1.4 million square meters and plans...
RRJ consortium commits $250m to China warehousing player
RRJ Capital has re-upped in Chinese logistics player Shanghai Yupei Group, leading a consortium that has agreed to invest $250 million in the business.
Warburg Pincus invests $120m in India's Ecom Express
Ecom Express, an Indian e-commerce logistics startup, has raised INR8.5 billion ($120 million) from Warburg Pincus.
Deal focus: Tata sees logistics angle in India tax reforms
Third-party logistics (3PL) companies have traditionally struggled in India. For example, the country’s fragmented tax system meant that companies moving goods cross-country had to pay multiple tariffs and stop for traffic examination each time they...
TVS Logistics, Tata Opportunities to acquire DIESL
India's Tata Capital will acquire a minority stake in TVS Logistics Services and support the company in its acquisition of Drive India Enterprise Solutions (DIESL).
China’s JD.com leads $70m round for VC-backed Fruitday
Chinese online retailer JD.com has led a $70 million Series C round for Fruitday, a China-based e-commerce site dedicated to selling imported fruit.
Alibaba, Yunfeng back China’s YTO Express
Alibaba Group has teamed up with Yunfeng Capital to acquire a minority stake in Shanghai YTO Express, a Chinese logistics service provider. Financial terms were not disclosed.
India e-commerce: Grocery growth spurt
There has been a proliferation of start-ups in India’s online grocery sector, and investors have taken notice. But the companies that survive in the harsh competition to come will have to be tough
Thailand’s aCommerce raises $5m from existing backers
Existing investors including Ardent Capital, Indonesian conglomerate Sinarmas and Inspire Ventures have committed $5 million to aCommerce, a Thailand-based e-commerce services provider.
MBK invests in China logistics player Apex International - update
North Asia-focused buyout firm MBK Partners has acquired a majority stake in Apex International Corporation, a China-based logistics company with a strong presence in freight forwarding.