SME
Australia's Business Growth Fund: Policy props
The Australian government has accumulated $365 million for a fund that will support small businesses. Private equity investors are unsure why it’s necessary and how it will be managed
Quadrant acquires Australia enterprise IT business
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to acquire the enterprise services division of listed IT specialist Arq Group for A$35 million ($23.5 million).
Private credit: Untapped market
Recent industry feedback suggests middle-market companies across Asia will increasingly look to private credit to support future growth. Europe may offer clues as to how the expected uptake will unfold
Australia's Five V makes another BPO bolt-on
Australia’s Five V Capital has acquired Philippines business process outsourcing (BPO) player Beepo as a portfolio company bolt-on. It is the GP’s second such transaction this month.
Navegar backs Philippines e-commerce enabler
Philippines private equity firm Navegar has invested $12 million in local online retail industry services provider Great Deals E-commerce.
Japan’s J-Star closes fourth fund at $443m
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has closed its fourth middle-market fund at the hard cap of JPY48.5 billion ($433 million), up from JPY32.5 billion in the previous vintage.
Australia launches $365m fund to support SMEs
The Australian government has launched a A$540 million ($365 million) growth fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with commitments coming from the country's largest banks.
ARQ Capital backs Philippines dialysis business
ARQ Capital, a Philippines-based GP focused on the local small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, has invested an undisclosed sum in dialysis clinic operator Medline.
India’s Udaan closes Series D at $585m
India’s Udaan has closed its Series D round at $585 million, with the latest contribution featuring Tencent Holdings and the VC arm of Citi. It values the B2B online marketplace at $2.5-3 billion.
CDC names Bangladeshi head, invests local bank
UK-based development finance institution CDC Group has cemented its presence in Bangladesh through an investment in local lender BRAC Bank and the naming of a country director.
India SME platform OfBusiness raises $35m Series D
OfBusiness, an Indian smart financing services provider for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) has received an INR2.5 billion ($35 million) Series D round led by Norwest Venture Partners.
Lightspeed, Tiger lead $67m Series B for India's OkCredit
Lightspeed Venture Partners and Tiger Global Management have led a $67 million Series B round for Indian financial technology player OkCredit.
OPIC commits $185m to India SME sector
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance arm of the US government, will invest $185 million in India’s small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
500 Startups, UN launch Indonesia accelerator
500 Startups has teamed up with a unit of the United Nations to launch an impact-focused start-up accelerator in Indonesia.
Quadrant to acquire Australia's Love To Dream
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to acquire a majority interest Love To Dream, a domestic baby care brand focused on swaddles and sleepwear.
CDC leads $21m round for Indian fintech player
UK government-backed development finance institution CDC Group has led a $21 million round for Indifi Technologies, a company that facilitates loans for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) in India.
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.
Indonesia’s KoinWorks raises $12m Series B
Indonesian P2P lending platform KoinWorks has raised S$16.5 million ($12 million) in Series B funding led by EV Growth and Quona Capital.
Affirma leads pre-IPO round for China's Dianrong
Affirma Capital – formed through a spin-out of Standard Chartered’s private equity business – has led a pre-IPO round of undisclosed size for Chinese P2P lending services provider Dianrong.
CDC anchors Global Environment Fund spin-out
UK development finance institution CDC Group has anchored a $130 million first close for a fund managed by a South Asian spin-out of US-based Global Environmental Fund Capital Advisors.
Malaysia's RHL Ventures launches SME fund
RHL Ventures has launched a MYR100 million ($24.2 million) fund focused on small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) with a cornerstone investment from government-owned SME Corp Malaysia.
Quona leads $12.8m round for India's SMEcorner
Quona Capital has led a INR900 million ($12.8 million) investment in Indian microlending platform operator SMECorner.
Navegar seeks $150m for second Philippines PE fund
Philippines private equity firm Navegar has launched its second growth fund focused exclusively on its home market with a target of $150 million.
Ascent Capital launches Myanmar PE fund
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm set up last year with a focus on Myanmar, has formally launched its debut fund with about $50 million in confirmed commitments.