Transportation
China UAV player United Aircraft raises $290m
United Aircraft, a Chinese start-up specialising in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has raised a Series D of CNY 2bn (USD 290m) from an assortment of local investors.
KKR exits Malaysia's Weststar Aviation after 10-year hold
KKR has exited Weststar Aviation Services (WAS), which primarily provides helicopter transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry, after a holding period of nearly 10 years.
Deal focus: Taking electrification to China’s skies
TCab Tech has won USD 15m in funding to bankroll its electric-powered alternative to helicopters. The path to market might be relatively short, but the wait for revenue will be longer
Grand Flight leads $15m round for China urban air mobility player
Shanghai-based TCab Tech has raised CNY 100m (USD 14.7m) in a pre-Series A round led by Grand Flight, an industrial investment fund mainly initiated by Far East Horizon.
New Zealand hydrogen player raises $14m
New Zealand hydrogen and zero-emission technologies developer Fabrum has raised a NZD 23m (USD 14.5m) Series A round led by UK-based AP Ventures.
China hydrogen energy player raises $44m Series C
Chinese hydrogen power company TangFeng Energy has raised a Series C round of CNY300m (USD 44m) led by GP Capital, Qianyan Investment, and a unit of Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
Deal focus: L Catterton hitches a ride with Tenways
Electric bicycle brand Tenways has built its business on European design capabilities and Asian manufacturing smarts. L Catterton is backing the two-year-old company to become a global leader
Deal focus: VIG secures rare airline turnaround opportunity
VIG Partners stepped into the breach when Eastar Jet’s previous white knight bailed. It agreed to recapitalise the airline on obtaining assurances that key licenses and routes remain in place
L Catterton joins round for e-bike player Tenways
Tenways, an electric bicycle manufacturer headquartered in the Netherlands with a strong supply chain in Asia, has raised CNY 300m (USD 44m) in Series A funding, including an extension led by L Catterton.
China's Breton Technology raises $84m
Breton Technology, a China-based manufacturer of new energy mining equipment, has closed an extended Series C round of CNY 579m (USD 84.5m) from a slew of domestic investors.
VIG acquires Korea's Eastar Jet
Korea’s VIG Partners has acquired 100% of local low-cost airline Eastar Jet for USD 117m, citing plans to introduce new aircraft to the fleet as part of a “quick turnaround.”
Hidden Hill joins $145m round for China's Sany Heavy Truck
Sany Heavy Truck, a subsidiary of Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry focused on developing new energy trucks, has raised nearly CNY 1bn (USD 145m) in Series A funding.
Qualcomm backs India EV maker Ultraviolette
Qualcomm Ventures and Lingotto, the largest shareholder in Ferrari, have invested in India’s Ultraviolette Automotive, an electric vehicle maker focused on two-wheelers.
Australia's ABGF invests $10m in local tourism player
Australia Business Growth Fund (ABGF), a partially government-backed investor that backs small to medium-sized companies, has invested AUD 15m (USD 10m) in local tourism company HMC Group.
China EV brand Aion raises $2.5b
GAC Aion, an electric vehicle (EV) brand under GAC Group, a Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturer, has raised CNY 18.3bn (USD 2.5bn) in Series A funding at a valuation of CNY 103.2bn from 53 so-called strategic investors.
India's Ather Energy adds $50m to Series E
India’s Ather Energy, a two-wheel electric vehicle (EV) brand, has raised about USD 50m from existing investors, extending its Series E round to around USD 178m.
Japan flying car player SkyDrive gets $67m Series C
Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has raised JPY 9.6bn (USD 67m) in Series C funding featuring US-based Pegasus Tech Ventures and local strategics such as Suzuki Motor.
Korea autonomous driving player gets $25m
Korea’s Seoul Robotics, which specialises in computer vision for 3D sensors used by autonomous cars, has raised a USD 25m Series B round led by KB Investment.
Deal focus: Anchorage exits rail player, launches Fund IV
Australia-based Anchorage Capital Partners has extended a string of exits with the sale of a local rail industry player, while going to market seeking AUD 500m (USD 339m) for its fourth fund
Anchorage exits Australia rail operator
Australia’s Anchorage Capital Partners has sold local rail operator Rail First Asset Management for AUD 425m (USD 290m) to Dutch GP DIF Capital Partners and Amber Infrastructure of the UK.
Korea's Kakao abandons plans for mobility unit stake sale
South Korean internet giant Kakao has abandoned plans to partially divest Kakao Mobility, its transportation division.
Mobility: Batteries and beyond
The electrification of transportation has created a wealth of opportunities in energy saving and storage. Investors across Asia – led by China – are looking at batteries and other technologies
Hong Kong's Gly Capital closes debut mobility fund
Gly Capital Management, which is majorly owned by a Chinese automaker, tapped external investors for the first time in raising USD 163m for global investments in smart cities and smart cars
Deal focus: Allegro pumps up in New Zealand
Australia’s Allegro Funds has made its first investment from its largest fund to date, flexing new capacity to invest at scale with petrol station chain Gull New Zealand
