Southeast Asia
Founder of Japan's Beenos launches $60m Asia VC fund
The founder of Japanese e-commerce company Beenos, Teruhide Sato, has a launched a $60 million venture capital fund that will support internet and mobile start-ups in India, Southeast Asia, Japan and the US.
Shaw Kwei makes buyout offer for Singapore-listed Chosen
Shaw Kwei & Partners has submitted a buyout offer for Chosen Holdings, a manufacturer of plastic components commonly used in consumer electronics, cars and medical devices, that values the Singapore-listed company at approximately $68 million ($48 million)....
PE investors excited by Philippines' strong fundamentals - AVCJ Forum
PE investors are drawn to the Philippines for its favorable macroeconomic position and potential to serve as a hedge to exposure elsewhere in Asia, but industry participants caution that the deal-making environment is still at a nascent stage of its development....
Templeton backs Vietnam logistics player
Franklin Templeton Investments has committed $15.8 million to Indo Trans Logistics Corporation (ITL), a third-party logistics (3PL) and warehousing services provider in Vietnam.
Q&A: Formation 8's Brian Koo
As Formation 8 prepares to launch an Asia fund, Brian Koo, co-founder of the venture capital firm, explains why the strategy has evolved from rolling out US technologies in Asia to backing local start-ups
Gobi leads $5.7m Series A for Thailand's Eko
Gobi Partners has led a $5.7 million Series A round of funding for Bangkok-based Eko Communications, developer of workplace messaging app Eko.
OCBC closes debut SME-focused PE fund at $392m
Singapore's OCBC Bank has closed its debut small and medium-sized enterprise-focused fund at S$550 million ($392 million).
Denham, Nexif form SE Asia power investment platform
Denham Capital has partnered with Singapore-based power management company Nexif to form an investment platform that will commit more than $200 million to energy projects in Southeast Asia.
Deal focus: RedMart channels the Amazon spirit
Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer, but it retains fleetness of foot that defies its size. This is based on the ability to embrace not only new technology but also innovative approaches to management. The “two-pizza rule” devised by founder...
Philippines targets 500 domestic tech start-ups by 2020
The Philippines government has outlined plans to achieve 500 domestic technology start-ups with a combined valuation of $2 billion by 2020.
Ekuinas sells Burger King franchises in Malaysia, Singapore
Ekuinas, the Malaysian government-backed private equity investor, has sold the Burger King franchises in Malaysia and Singapore, generating proceeds of MYR74.6 million ($17.7 million).
IFC to back Jungle Venture's second fund
International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest up to $10 million in Singapore-based Jungle Ventures' second venture capital fund.
Didi Kuaidi, CIC join $350m round for Southeast Asia's GrabTaxi
Didi Kuaidi, China’s largest mobile ride-hailing app operator, and China Investment Corporation (CIC) have participated in a $350 million funding round for Southeast Asia-focused mobile taxi-booking app GrabTaxi.
Profile: BPI's Dennis Montecillo
After 15 years spent advising PE firms in Asia, Dennis Montecillo has returned to his native country as executive vice president with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). The timing could not be better
Golden Gate reaches first close on SE Asia VC fund
Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures has reached a first close of $35 million on its second Southeast Asia-focused fund, Golden Gate Ventures Fund II.
Deal focus: NSI Ventures in robot kitchen play
The old proverb is that necessity is the mother of invention, but in an age of robotics it seems that simple inconvenience is enough to give birth to the next great innovation. Such is the case with the Rotimatic, a “robot” invented specifically to make...
VIDEO: Shaw Kwei & Partners' Kyle Shaw
The competitive environment for private equity deals in Asia is less intense than at any time in the last 10 years as players investing before the global financial crisis have pared back their activity, says Kyle Shaw, founder and managing director at...
Ex-TPG Growth executive joins Singapore's Jungle Ventures
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has appointed David Gowdey, previously of TPG Capital’s growth investment unit, as a managing partner.
Sequoia leads $3.25m round for Malaysia's KFit
Malaysian online fitness platform KFit has raised $3.25 million in a funding round led by Sequoia Capital.
KKR supports Philippines social enterprise project
KKR has completed its second social enterprise assistance project alongside Impact Investment Exchange Asia (IIX) and its non-profit sister organization Shujog, providing support to Glovax Biotech, which sells affordable vaccines to low to middle income...
GPs see potential in SE Asia mid-market buyouts - AVCJ Forum
Southeast Asia will see more mid-market buyout opportunities, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum, although the onus remains on GPs to forge partnerships with entrepreneurs.
Southeast Asia fundraising: Gaining a foothold
Southeast Asia continues to be a challenging environment for new fund managers, but many GPs have found ways to market their products. Reaching LPs’ required standard of competence is the key.
Southeast Asia start-ups: Connecting the dots
The start-up scene in Southeast Asia is growing apace but making the most of the region's potential is as much about having cross-border capabilities as it is about targeting the right opportunities
Singapore payment platform Fastacash raises Series B round
Asia-focused investment firm Rising Dragon Singapore has led a $15 million Series B round of funding for Fastacash, a Singapore-based social payments platform.