TMT
KKR backs Philippines telecom tower operator
KKR has invested an undisclosed sum in Philippines-based telecom tower operator Pinnacle Towers with a view to helping it expand into a regional platform.
Flipkart buys India mobile gaming start-up Mech Mocha
Indian e-commerce marketplace Flipkart has bought Mech Mocha, a local mobile gaming start-up that has previously received VC funding from Blume Ventures, Accel Partners, and China’s Shunwei Capital.
Asia e-sports: Pumping up in a timeout
A recent slew of deals targeting e-sports in Asia has coincided with the live events that generate most of the industry's revenue going on hiatus. Investors appear happy to play the long game
Chinese O2O retail platform Dmall gets $418m Series C
Dmall, a Chinese digital solutions provider for traditional retailers, has raised a Series C of RMB2.8 billion ($419 million) led by Industrial Bank and China Structural Reform Fund at a valuation of $2 billion.
Hong Kong's MindWorks seeks $150m for Fund IV
Hong Kong-headquartered VC firm MindWorks Capital expects to launch its fourth fund in the first half of next year with a target of $150 million.
China apartment rental start-ups: In arrears
There were doubts about the viability of long-term property rental platforms in China before COVID-19. Post-pandemic regulation is creating further problems
India's FreshToHome raises $121m Series C
FreshToHome, an Indian food delivery platform backed by local VCs Iron Pillar and Ascent Capital, has raised a $121 million Series C round.
Legend Star raises $119m for fourth renminbi fund
Legend Star, the early-stage investment arm of China’s Legend Holdings, has raised RMB800 million ($119 million) for its fourth renminbi-denominated fund.
China e-sports business VSPN raises $100m
VSPN, a China-based start-up that claims to be the world’s largest e-sports provider, has raised nearly $100 million in Series B funding led by Tencent Holdings.
Australia's SafetyCulture raises a further $35m
Blackbird Ventures has led a A$48.5 million ($35 million) round for Australian workplace safety platform SafetyCulture. It comes six months after a Series C investment of similar size.
Warburg Pincus tips Converge to sustain rapid growth
Philippines-based broadband provider Converge ICT has completed the country’s largest-ever IPO on the back of a tenfold expansion in the past four years as local consumers sign up to highspeed internet services previously unavailable to them.
Morningside Venture Capital rebrands as 5Y Capital
Morningside Venture Capital has formally separated from Morningside Group, which is controlled by the Chan family, founders of Hong Kong property developer Hang Lung Group, and rebranded as 5Y Capital.
China O2O medicine platform raises $150m
Chinese online-to-offline (O2O) medicine retailer Dingdang Kuaiyao has raised RMB1 billion ($150 million) in an extended Series B round featuring Dragon Gate Investment Partners.
Legend closes eighth China VC fund on $500m
Legend Capital has closed its eighth US dollar-denominated venture capital fund at the hard cap of $500 million, continuing the rich vein of China VC fundraising.
Hillhouse targets $12b for separate buyout, growth funds
China's Hillhouse Capital has split its current fundraising effort into separate buyout and growth strategies – having raised a single pool in the previous vintage – and is seeking $12 billion across the two funds.
Profile: Jihoon Rim
Jihoon Rim has been a venture capitalist, CEO of one of Korea’s largest technology companies, and a US business school professor – in the space of a decade. He explains the appeal of new challenges
Deal focus: VR gaming comes of age
Japanese videogame publishing company Thirdverse believes the time is right to bring virtual reality entertainment to the masses. VCs with expertise in the sector are beginning to agree
China's Gaorong closes Fund V at $1.1b
Gaorong Capital has closed its fifth US dollar-denominated fund with commitments of $1.15 billion. It brings the Chinese venture capital firm's assets under management to about $4 billion.
Fund focus: CCV raises $300m for China fund
China Creation Ventures secures $300 million for Fund II, having found that some LPs are holding back on China commitments while others are even more willing to engage
China carpooling player Dida pursues Hong Kong IPO
Dida Chuxing – a Chinese peer-to-peer carpooling business that subsequently expanded into ride-hailing, putting it in direct competition with longstanding market leader Didi Chuxing – has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
Jafco backs Japan VR game developer
Japan’s Jafco has led an $8.5 million Series A round for local virtual reality (VR) game developer Thirdverse.
PE-owned Adore Beauty targets $193m Australia IPO
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity is set to make a first exit from its growth fund with online beauty retailer Adore Beauty announcing plans for a A$269.3 million ($192 million) IPO.
Australia's 99Designs acquired by European trade buyer
Australia’s 99Designs, a global graphic design marketplace, has been acquired by Ireland-based Cimpress, the owner of marketing services firm Vistaprint. It sets up at least one VC exit.
Linear raises $200m for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Linear Capital has closed its fourth US dollar-denominated fund at nearly $200 million, taking its overall assets under management to $400 million.