Singapore
Golden Equator to launch $200m SE Asia mezz fund
Singapore’s Golden Equator has punctuated a spate of fundraising activity with confirmation it will launch a $200 million mezzanine and private debt fund for growth-stage companies in Southeast Asia.
Oman's Jabreen Capital buys stake in EastBridge
Oman-based private equity firm Jabreen Capital is expanding into Southeast Asia with the acquisition of a stake of undisclosed size in the Singapore division of Korean counterpart EastBridge Partners.
Invesco commits $300m to Southeast Asia's Grab
Southeast Asian ride hailing and online-to-offline (O2O) services platform Grab has received a $300 million commitment from global investment manager Invesco as part of its ongoing $6.5 billion Series H round.
Singapore's PE-backed Home Control files for HK IPO
Home Control International, a Singapore-based manufacturer of remote controls for television and smart devices owned by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Singapore's PE-backed Trax secures US retail tech bolt-on
Trax, a Singapore-based developer of retail computer vision and analytics solutions with several private equity backers, has acquired US-based shopping rewards app developer Shopkick for an undisclosed amount.
China GPs join Singapore's Novena for $150m healthcare fund
China-based GPs Sinopharm Capital and Cedarlake Capital have announced a $20 million investment in Singapore-based healthcare platform Novena Global Lifecare, along with a strategic partnership for a $150 million fund that will support Southeast Asian...
Temasek-backed PE bonds attract record retail following
A growing number of Singaporean retail investors are seeking PE exposure under a program overseen by Temasek Holdings. Nearly 31,000 applications representing S$820 million ($602 million) were submitted for the S$180 million worth of bonds – backed by...
Malaysia's Kenanga launches late-stage VC fund
Malaysia’s Kenanga Investment Bank has launched a venture fund of undisclosed size that will invest exclusively in companies that have achieved unicorn status or are within 6-24 months of IPO.
Asia Partners raises $70m for SE Asia growth deals - update
Asia Partners, a Singapore-based VC firm co-founded by Nick Nash, the former group president of mobile internet and gaming platform Sea, has raised more than $70 million for its debut fund, which will invest in Southeast Asian technology companies at...
Korea's Crescendo invests $50m in Qxpress
Qxpress, the logistics subsidiary of Southeast Asian e-commerce platform Qoo10, has raised $50 million from Korean private equity firm Crescendo Equity Partners.
Singapore's Wavemaker reaches $60m first close on third fund
US and Singapore-based early-stage VC firm Wavemaker Partners has reached a first close of $60 million for its third Southeast Asia-focused fund. The target is $100 million.
ComfortDelGro backs Singapore logistics start-ups
Singapore land transport services company ComfortDelGro has backed two local logistics start-ups via its recently launched venture capital arm.
Temasek launches Asia impact fund
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has set up a private equity fund that will make impact investments, primarily in developing Asia.
Singapore's EV Growth closes debut fund at $200m
Singapore-based EV Growth, a joint venture between East Ventures, Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Digital Ventures (SMDV) and Japan’s YJ Capital, has closed its first fund at $200 million.
Singapore's VisVires launches $150m food tech fund
VisVires New Protein, a Singapore-based VC firm specializing in food technology, has launched its second fund with a target of $150 million. Fund I closed at $40 million in 2016.
Genesis starts Southeast Asia venture debt business
Sassoon Investment Corporation, the family office of the Sassoon family, and Indonesian bank CIMB Niaga have launched Genesis Alternative Ventures, a venture debt provider targeting start-ups in Southeast Asia.
Temasek-owned Azalea targets $600m from PE-backed bonds
Temasek Holdings-owned Azalea Asset Management is once again offering Singapore retail investors the opportunity to participate in private equity with plans to raise around $600 million through the sale of bonds backed by LP interests in funds.
Sequoia, MassMutual lead Series B for Singapore's Biofourmis
Sequoia Capital India and MassMutual Ventures have led a $35 million Series B round of funding for Singapore-based Biofourmis, operator of a health analytics platform that tracks how patients are responding to treatment.
Deal focus: Clearing up Southeast Asia's currency chaos
Investors see opportunity in bringing a promising currency exchange-focused fintech model from Europe into Southeast Asia. Singapore-focused YouTrip is the region’s first mover in this niche
Archipelago closes debut fund at $75m
Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm Archipelago Capital Partners has closed its debut fund at $75 million, and plans to raise a successor vehicle in 2020.
Vertex raises $230m for India, Southeast Asia fund
Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH), the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has reached the initial $230 million target for its fourth Southeast Asia and India fund in a single closing.
Hong Kong fintech player YouTrip gets $25.5m
Insignia Ventures Partners has joined a $25.5 million seed round for YouTrip, a Hong Kong-based financial technology company focused on travelers in Singapore.
InnoVen raises $200m from Temasek, UOB
InnoVen Capital, a venture debt firm active in India, China, and Southeast Asia, has raised $200 million from its primary shareholders Temasek Holdings and United Overseas Bank (UOB).
Q&A: MassMutual Ventures' Ryan Collins
Ryan Collins, a managing director with MassMutual Ventures, discusses being a financial rather than a strategic investor, the rise of VC in Southeast Asia, and giving entrepreneurs straight answers

