M&A
Japan's Mercari buys VC-backed e-commerce player
Japanese e-commerce company Mercari has agreed to acquire domestic competitor Zawatt, setting up an exit for a number of venture capital backers.
China's Baidu acquires VC-backed AI player Raven Tech
Chinese search giant Baidu has acquired Beijing-based Raven Tech, an artificial intelligence (AI) start-up backed by several VC investors, for an undisclosed sum.
Softbank to buy US-listed Fortress for $3.3b
SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire Fortress Investment Group – which manages $36.7 billion in alternatives – for approximately $3.3 billion in cash. It puts the Japanese company on course to become one of the world’s largest asset managers.
China O2O player buys VC-backed last-mile delivery app
Huimin, a Chinese B2B e-commerce platform that focuses on small-scale supermarkets, has acquired a controlling stake at Beequick, a snack food delivery app backed by several VC investors.
Unigestion acquires European rival Akina
Switzerland-based wealth management firm and PE fund-of-funds Unigestion has acquired the Europe-focused private equity business of its rival Akina Partners.
China's Toutiao acquires US VC-backed video app Flipagram
Chinese mobile news reading app Toutiao has acquired Flipagram, a US-based video sharing app backed by several VC investors, for an undisclosed amount.
IDG Capital: Jack of all trades
IDG Capital has agreed to buy its parent, International Data Group's investment unit. It is the latest in a string of bold moves as IDG Capital looks to broaden its business - but how broad is too broad?
Alibaba's Ant Financial to buy THL-backed MoneyGram
Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) will exit US-listed MoneyGram following an agreement to merge the money-transfer services provider with Ant Financial, a PE-backed online financial services affiliate of Alibaba Group, in a deal that values the business at...
China Everbright reaches second close on global fund
China Everbright has reached a second close of $294 million on its cross-border investment fund.
Bridgepoint agrees sale of Nordic Cinema to Chinese strategic
AMC Entertainment, the US theatre chain controlled by China’s Dalian Wanda Group, will acquire Stockholm-based Nordic Cinema Group from PE firm Bridgepoint and Swedish media group Bonnier Holding for SEK8.25 billion ($929 million).
Warburg Pincus-backed Stellar makes Indian logistics bolt-on
Stellar Supply Chain Solutions, an Indian logistics company backed by Warburg Pincus, has taken control of refrigerated trucking specialist Kelvin Cold Chain.
India's VC-backed PropTiger, Housing.com agree merger
VC-backed PropTiger and Housing.com have agreed to a merger that will establish India’s largest online realty company.
Australia's Atlassian to buy VC-backed Trello
Atlassian, an enterprise software company founded in Sydney and now listed on NASDAQ, has acquired Trello, a VC-backed US start-up that develops software intended to facilitate collaboration and teamwork.
China-US: Outbound angst
Controls on capital outflows imposed by Beijing and concerns about a more aggressive trade policy out of Washington mean Chinese investment in the US is unlikely to match 2016's highs, but this is not necessarily bad for Chinese PE investors
AEA-backed ThreeSixty Group buys US lifestyle brand
AEA Investors-owned ThreeSixty Group, a China and US-based business that designs, sources and distributes consumer products for US retailers, has acquired lifestyle brand The Sharper Image from Iconix Brand Group for $100 million.
India's VC-backed Practo acquires US analytics start-up
Indian clinic management software developer and doctor search portal Practo, which is supported by several VC investors, has acquired US-based analytics firm Enlightiks.
China's Ctrip to acquire VC-backed UK travel site Skyscanner
China’s largest online travel site Ctrip.com has agreed to buy Skyscanner, an airfare comparison website backed by VC investors, in a deal valuing the UK-based company at approximately GBP1.4 billion ($1.74 billion).
India's Quikr buys Sequoia, Kalaari-backed Grabhouse
Indian classifieds site Quikr has purchased Grabhouse, a rental property listing platform backed by Sequoia Capital and Kalaari Capital.
Quadrant-backed UPG acquires Australia's Rockpool
Quadrant Private Equity has taken control of Australian restaurant operator Rockpool Group via a bolt-on acquisition by existing portfolio company Urban Purveyor Group (UPG).
China-backed PE firm buy Lattice Semiconductor for $1.3b
Canyon Bridge Capital Partners, a newly-formed US-based buyout firm backed by Chinese LPs, has agreed to acquire NASDAQ-listed chip maker Lattice Semiconductor for $1.3 billion.
VC-backed Tujia acquires Ctrip, Qunar's homestay assets
Chinese vacation rental platform Tujia, which has several VC and PE investors, has acquired the homestay businesses of travel websites Ctrip and Qunar, strengthening its already dominant position in China’s accommodation sharing market.
China boutique investment bank CEC buys Siemer & Associates
Chinese boutique investment bank and advisory firm CEC Capital Group – formerly known as China eCapital – has agreed to buy US-based counterpart Siemer & Associates (S&A).
India's MakeMyTrip to buy Naspers, Tencent-backed ibibo
Indian online travel agent MakeMyTrip has agreed to merge with rival booking portal ibibo Group, which is backed by South African internet conglomerate Naspers Group and China's Tencent Holdings, in an all-stock deal.
PE-backed Gong Cha Korea to acquire global parent
Gong Cha Korea, the Unison Capital-backed franchise of the global bubble tea franchise Gong Cha, will take a controlling stake in the Taiwan-based parent company.