Singapore
Q&A: Vulcan Capital's Tommy Teo
Tommy Teo, a former executive director at Northstar Group, is setting up the Asian headquarters for Vulcan Capital, a philanthropic but returns-focused firm created by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen
Singapore's Advance.AI gets $80m Series C
Advance.AI, a Singapore-based start-up focused on financial technology applications of big data, has raised an $80 million Series C round led by Gaorong Capital and Pavilion Capital.
Vertex closes Southeast Asia, India fund at $305m
Vertex Ventures, a VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has closed its fourth Southeast Asia and India fund at $305 million, beating an initial target of $230 million.
VCs invest $11m in Singapore talent agency
Gushcloud International, a digital talent agency based in Singapore, has received $11 million from a group of regional VCs and US hip-hop mogul Russel Simmons (pictured).
Singapore's Vertex closes debut growth fund at $290m
Vertex Venture Holdings, the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has reached a final close on its first growth-stage fund with $290 million in commitments. The initial target was $250 million.
Temasek, Kuehne + Nagel launch early-stage logistics fund
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has launched a $50 million fund focused on early-stage logistics technology start-ups alongside Switzerland supply chain industry giant Kuehne + Nagel.
PE-backed data center platform makes Asia investments
Princeton Digital Group, a Singapore-based data center developer backed by Warburg Pincus, has confirmed three project acquisitions across Asia as part of a $500 million regional expansion.
Singapore-based Play closes debut gaming fund at $40m
Play Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on gaming start-ups in Europe, Asia, and North America, has closed its debut fund at $40 million.
Vulcan Capital expands into Asia
Vulcan Capital, a US-based venture investor set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened a Singapore office and earmarked $100 million for investment in Southeast Asia.
Sovereign investors and technology: Smart nations
Conservative sovereign wealth investors are increasingly comfortable making direct commitments to venture-oriented technology companies. The strategy appears to suit them but remains to be validated
Singapore's RedDoorz raises $70m
Singapore hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has raised $70 million in Series C funding less than a month after closing a $45 million Series B.
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
EDBI joins $89m round for US agtech player Inari
EDBI, the investment arm of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, has joined an $89 million Series C round for US agricultural technology developer Inari.
Singapore's Carro raises $30m for extended Series B
Singaporean auto marketplace operator Carro has raised $30 million from investors including SoftBank Ventures Asia as part of an extended Series B round.
TPG hires KKR's David Tan in Singapore
TPG Capital has engaged David Tan, a former director with KKR’s private equity team, as a managing director based in Singapore with responsibility for Southeast Asia.
MassMutual Ventures leads $33m round for Singapore's Aspire
The Southeast Asia arm of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance’s venture capital arm, has led a $32.5 million funding round for Singapore-based online banking platform Aspire.
Deal focus: Jollibee circles as Coffee Bean booms in Asia
The Philippines’ Jollibee Foods is set to buy US cafe chain The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to continue a massive Asian expansion effort. Exiting investor CDIB Capital attests to the opportunity set
Singapore hotel platform RedDoorz gets $45m Series B
Singapore-based hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has raised $45 million in a Series B round led by China’s Qiming Venture Partners.
Deal focus: Smartly plans pan-SE Asia robo advisory
Keir Veskivali defied the odds to introduce robo advisory services for retail investors to Singapore. Now he brought in VinaCapital to help take the business global
PE investors exit The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Jollibee
Advent International, CDIB Capital and Mirae Asset Private Equity are set to exit US-based cafe chain The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf after the Philippines’ Jollibee Foods agreed to pay $350 million for the company.
Asia legal tech: Order in court
Legal tech investment is quietly booming from a small base, with the under-digitalized nature of law firms presenting both an opening and an inhibitor. First-mover ecosystems are self-organizing quickly
Burda leads $40m Series B for Singapore's Hmlet
Germany’s Hubert Burda Media has led a $40 million Series B round for Singapore-based co-living operator Hmlet.
Deal focus: Igloohome puts smart home tech to work
Igloohome made its name providing smart locks for vacation rental properties listed on Airbnb and Booking.com. Breaking into the corporate security market is the next step
Deal focus: Greater Pacific to help Near monetize data points
Singapore's Near secures $100 million from Greater Pacific Capital with a view to expanding its suite of SaaS products that offer commercial insights by tracking consumer behavior