Southeast Asia
Ascent Capital backs Myanmar internet provider Frontiir
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm, has made its debut investment in Myanmar by leading a $26 million commitment to internet service provider (ISP) Frontiir.
Lightspeed completes $4b global fundraising effort
Lightspeed Venture Partners has raised $4 billion across early and growth-stage funds, including $1.5 billion for an opportunity fund that will support breakout companies in global markets such as China, India and Southeast Asia.
Singapore's Quadria closes second healthcare fund at $595m
Quadria Capital, a Singapore-headquartered private equity firm that invests in healthcare companies across India and Southeast Asia, has raised $595 million for its second fund.
Deal focus: 2C2P brings enterprise to SE Asia fintech
Cento Ventures picked 2C2P as the first investment under its late-stage strategy, having been one over by the company's B2B approach to digital payments
Profile: Jungle Ventures' Amit Anand
Across the checkered early stages of his career, Amit Anand intuitively gravitated toward the technological engine of developing Asia. This underpinned the creation of Jungle Ventures
Japan's Gree rebrands as Strive, launches $137m fund
Japan’s Gree Ventures has rebranded as Strive and launched its third fund with a view to raising JPY15 billion ($137 million) for internet company investments across Japan, Southeast Asia, and India.
Indonesia’s BeliMobilGue raises $10m Series A
Indonesia’s BeliMobilGue, a used car trading platform backed by a number of VCs, has raised $10 million in a Series A round led by parent company Frontier Car Group with participation from Toyota Tunas Indonesia.
China’s LightInTheBox to acquire VC-backed Ezbuy
Chinese online retailer LightInTheBox has agreed to acquire Southeast Asian e-commerce operator Ezbuy for $85.55 million through a share swap.
Creador set for $430m first close on Southeast Asia, India fund
Creador has scheduled a first close of $430 million on its fourth Southeast Asia and India-focused fund and set the hard cap at $550 million.
Toyota invests $1b in SE Asia's Grab at $10b valuation
Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation will contribute $1 billion as the lead investor in the latest round of funding for Southeast Asia-focused ride-hailing business Grab. The commitment – the largest-ever made by an automaker in the ride-hailing industry...
Chinese tech firms target overseas expansion – AVCJ Forum
More Chinese technology companies have developed capabilities to expand overseas with a view to acquiring new customers that can support growth and strengthen their leading positions at home, industry participants told in AVCJ China Forum.
B Capital closes Asia-US tech fund at $360m
B Capital Group, a venture capital firm established by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, has raised $360 million for a fund focused on start-ups that are ready to scale globally.
AlpInvest leads $450m stapled secondary for Southern Capital
A consortium led by AlpInvest Partners has made a secondary investment in Southern Capital Group’s second fund that includes a stapled commitment to the firm’s fourth Southeast Asia-focused vehicle.
Deal focus: Gogoro takes its scooters global
Taiwan-based Smartscooter wants to stimulate demand for its electric vehicles in Southeast Asia by rolling out a dedicated network of battery exchange stations. The company has raised $300 million in support of this plan
Korea's SK invests $334m in PE-backed e-Shang Redwood
Korean conglomerate SK Group has agreed to invest KRW372 billion ($334 million) in pan-Asian logistics player e-Shang Redwood (ESR), valuing the private equity-backed business at approximately $2.8 billion.
IFC set to re-up as LeapFrog seeks $800m for Fund III
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed an investment of up to $25 million in LeapFrog Investments’ emerging markets-focused third fund, which is targeting as much as $800 million.
Fund focus: Square Peg goes formal with $180 fund
In response to rising LP demand, Square Peg Capital left its deal-by-deal days behind and raised a formal VC fund. The firm is targeting start-ups in Australia, Southeast Asia and Israel
Deal focus: GPs target healthy scale
Oaktree Capital Management and Navis Capital Partners are merging Fitness First and Celebrity Fitness in the expectation that scale will be rewarded in Southeast Asia's gym market
LP interview: The Dietrich Foundation
The Dietrich Foundation has an unusually large allocation to PE and VC, and to China venture capital in particular. CIO Edward J. Grefenstette discusses the considerations that underpin this exposure
3Q analysis: Deep pockets of the state
Fundraising hits a record quarterly high, thanks entirely to Chinese government-backed vehicles; Australia, Southeast Asia compensate for investment slowdown in China; India shines on exits