Singapore
Northstar buys Singapore's ERA Real Estate in MBO - update
The Northstar Group will buy ERA Real Estate, Singapore’s largest real estate agency, from Hersing Corporation in a deal reportedly worth more than S$100 million ($78.8 million). Jack Chua, former president of ERA, is leading a group of senior executives...
Nalanda Capital ups stake in Lovable Lingerie
Singapore-based Nalanda Capital has invested another INR5.4 million ($89,825) in listed Indian undergarment maker Lovable Lingerie, taking its stake to 5.06%.
Singapore’s GIC refines investment approach
GIC Private, the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund, has recalibrated its investment framework, splitting its portfolio into three strategies intended to strike a balance between its risk and return expectations, long-term investment objectives and desire...
SingTel Innov8 invests $10m in Fab.com
SingTel Innov8 has invested $10 million in online lifestyle store Fab.com as part of an ongoing Series D round of financing. It joins a list of strategic Asian backers as the company plans expansion in the region.
Ex-World Bank president joins Temasek board
Former World Bank President Robert Zoellick has been appointed to the board of directors at Temasek Holdings as the Singapore state-owned investment firm looks to open its first US office.
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.
Singapore’s GIC announces name change
Singapore sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Private Limited has changed its legal name to GIC Private Limited.
Strategics buy Singapore start-ups Techsailor, YFind
Two Singapore-based start-ups – Techsailor and YFind – have been snapped up by strategic investors. This follows last week’s acquisition of VC-backed travel website TravelMob by NASDAQ-listed vacation rental portal HomeAway.
Singapore’s Temasek appoints new chairman
Temasek Holdings has appointed Lim Boon Heng as its fourth chairman, succeeding Suppiah Dhanabalan who is retiring after leading the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund for 17 years.
Singapore online grocer RedMart closes Series A round
Online grocery store RedMart has closed its Series A round of funding from Singapore-based Garena, which offers online gaming. The company did not disclose the exact amount raised in this round, only that the total amount of funding raised so far adds...
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...
Ant Global Partners' $150m secondary fund targets Greater China, Japan
Ant Global Partners (AGP) - the international investment arm of Japanese PE firm Ant Capital Partners - is targeting $150 million for a new secondary fund focused on Greater China and Japan.
Temasek’s portfolio expands to $169b with greater focus on energy
Temasek Holdings saw its portfolio grow to S$215 billion ($169 billion) for the year ended March 2013, up 8.6% from the preceding 12 months.
Southern Capital raises $400m for Southeast Asia fund
Singapore-based Southern Capital Group (SCG) has raised approximately $400 million for its third buyout fund. Unlike SCG’s previous vehicles, which invested throughout the region, Southern Capital Fund III will focus on Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia....
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.
SEAVI Advent reaches $125m first close on Fund VI
SEAVI Advent Private Equity, the Asian arm of Advent International, has reached a first close of $125 million on its six fund - SEAVI Advent Equity Fund VI. Commitments came from high net worth individuals, corporate institutions and family offices, while...
GIC to sell Springer Science+Business
GIC Special Investments, the PE arm of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, and EQT will sell global publisher Springer Science+Business Media to London-based BC Partners for a total enterprise value of around EUR 3.3 billion ($4.4 billion),...
Singapore’s Temasek establishes UK presence
Temasek Holdings has set up a unit in the UK that will focus on investments in Europe. It is the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund’s 10th overseas office or affiliate.
Qualcomm leads Series C for Chinese online English education start-up
Qualcomm Ventures has led a Series C round of funding for Shanghai-based online education company Alo7. The capital commitment is believed to be up to $10 million.
Silicon Valley angels end first SE Asia tour in Indonesia
The Geeks on a Plane (GOAP) tour organized by Silicon Valley-based accelerator 500 Startups reaches its final leg in Indonesia this week. This is the first time one of the trips has focused specifically on Southeast Asia.
Intel Capital commits $16m to Asia e-commerce
Intel Capital, the VC arm of Intel Corp, has invested a total of $16 million in Asia e-commerce, backing India's Snapdeal.com and Bright Lifecare, while upping its stake in Singapore's Reebonz.com. It did not disclose the size of individual commitments.
A taste of Europe: Asian investor objectives
Asian LPs have become part of the landscape of European private equity, pursuing opportunities across buyouts, secondaries, credit and distress. But what do they really want from the region?
PE firms struggle with rich valuations in Southeast Asia – survey
Increased competition for deals and buoyant equity markets have pushed up valuations in Southeast Asia, prompting private equity investors to hold back, according to a new survey. While the region is becoming more important in investment strategies, returns...
SE Asia VC Ardent gets backing from US, Japan partners
Southeast Asia-focused venture capital firm Ardent has received its first round of external funding from US-based Siemer Ventures and Japanese VCs Recruit Strategic Partners and GMO Venture Partners. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.