M&A
Hony, Suning to take controlling stake in China's PPTV for $420m
Hony Capital and home appliance retailer Suning Commerce - also one of the PE firm's portfolio companies - will buy a controlling interest in Chinese online TV provider PPTV for $420 million. The deal, which values PPTV at approximately $568 million,...
India e-commerce: Sink or swim
India’s e-commerce sector is in the midst of consolidation. VC money continues to flow to the larger players but even they are examining their business models in a climate of higher operating costs
People's Daily to buy Sequoia-backed online literacy platform
People.cn, a Chinese online newspaper run by state-owned People’s Daily, intends to purchase a 69.25% stake in Kanshu.com, an online book reading platform backed by Sequoia Capital, for RMB249 million ($40.8 million).
Stepstone completes Greenpark deal
StepStone Group has merged with secondaries specialist Greenpark Capital. The widely-anticipated transaction has been confirmed, but a spokesperson declined to give more information on how it was structured, citing confidentiality requirements.
Alibaba acquires VC-backed cloud computing Kanbox
Alibaba Group has agreed to buy Kanbox, a Chinese cloud storage service provider backed by Susquehanna Asia Investment and DCM. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
PE-backed Endurance International to buy India's Directi
Endurance International Group, a US-based web hosting services provider controlled by Warburg Pincus and Goldman Sachs, has agreed to buy Indian online services firm Directi Web Technology for up to $110 million.
CFIUS approves Shuanghui acquisition of Smithfield Foods
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has cleared the way for PE-backed Chinese pork producer Shuanghui International to buy US counterpart Smithfield Foods, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles to the $4.7 billion deal.
Citigroup sells CVCI to Rohatyn Group
Citigroup is selling its $4.3 billion private equity unit, Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI), to emerging markets investment firm The Rohatyn Group (TRG) for an undisclosed sum.
Tech giants and VC: When the chips are down
Taiwan has a long history as a tech manufacturing powerhouse, but with the decline of the PC times have changed. Can the wavering tech giants re-invest themselves and what can VC do to help?
IDFC-backed Green Infra acquires TVS Energy
IDFC Private Equity-backed Indian independent power producer Green Infra (GIL) will buy a 90.46% stake in TVS Energy for an undisclosed amount.
Japan's Alt Plus buys stake in VC-backed Korean mobile game developer
Japanese mobile game developer Alt Plus, has acquired a 10% stake in Emagine, a Korean mobile game start-up backed by Lead Capital Management and Ant Capital Partners. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Baidu seals $1.85b 91 Wireless acquisition
Baidu has finalized its acquisition of NetDragon Websoft's 91 Wireless, a Chinese mobile app store and game operator, for $1.85 billion.
China hydropower firm buys 38% stake in VC-backed web directory
Zhejiang Fuchunjiang, a Chinese-listed hydropower equipment company, plans to buy a 38% stake in 2345.com, a web directory provider, from its majority shareholder Dongsheng Pang for RMB760 million ($124 million).
Everstone-backed beauty brand VLCC makes Singapore bolt-on
VLCC, the Asian health and beauty brand backed by Indian GP Everstone Capital, has bought an 80% stake in Global Vantaage Innovative Group (GVig), a Singapore-based firm that manufactures personal care and skincare products as well as cosmetics. It is...
Zodius seed funding supports Antuit's US acquisition
Zodius Capital provided $3 million in seed funding to Antuit, a Singapore-headquartered big data and analytics company. A portion of the capital will be used to finance the purchase of Marketwell, giving the company a readymade footprint in the US market....
Japan's Transcosmos buys 20% VC-backed Chinese logistics firm
Japan’s Transcosmos has bought a 20% stake in FineEx, a Chinese logistics provider backed by Shanghai Vstone Capital. The transaction size was not disclosed but it is believed to be over $10 million.
DBS abandons takeover bid for Indonesia's Bank Danamon
Singapore’s DBS Group has abandoned its $7.3 billion takeover bid for Indonesia’s Bank Danamon after deciding the regulatory hurdles were insurmountable.
Japan's Meiji Yasuda beats PE to Thai Life stake
Japan’s Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance has agreed to buy a 15% stake in Thai Life Insurance for an undisclosed sum, thought to be in the region of $750 million. Other participants in the auction reportedly included the Carlyle Group, KKR and CVC Capital...
HomeAway acquires VC-backed vacation rental startup Travelmob
US-based vacation rentals site HomeAway has bought a controlling stake in Singapore-based Travelmob in a bid to boost its online rental accommodations business in Asia. Early investors of the start-up include Accel Partners and Jungle Ventures, alongside...
Samsung Electronics buys VC-backed Boxee
Samsung Electronics has acquired Boxee, a VC-backed Israeli start-up that manufactures digital video recorders (DVRs). The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Friend or foe? Chinese M&A in the US
Chinese companies are keen to acquire assets overseas and the US is a popular target. Success hinges on satisfying regulators, appeasing politicians and persuading sellers of their ability to execute transactions
Clifford Chance appoints Latham partner to head Singapore funds team
Clifford Chance has hired Latham & Watkins partner Kai Schneider to lead its funds team in Singapore. He replaces Han Ming Ho, who is leaving for Sidley Austin.
TIAA-CREF merges property business with Henderson to boost Asia exposure
TIAA-CREF has merged its real estate business with that of London-based manager Henderson Global Investors in order to broaden its global portfolio and gain better Asia exposure in particular.
Willing to travel: Japanese tech firms look overseas
Japanese technology companies are going overseas, through corporate venture capital investments, joint ventures or commitments to third-party managers, in search of new markets and innovations