Transportation
China's TuSimple trades flat after $1.3b US IPO
TuSimple, a China and US-based developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, traded flat on debut following a $1.35 billion IPO at a market capitalization of $8.5 billion.
Southeast Asia's Grab to merge with SPAC at $30.4b valuation
Southeast Asia-focused ride hailing and local services platform Grab has agreed to go public in the US through a merger with a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) at an enterprise valuation of $30.4 billion.
Affirma hits first close on Korea fund, backs SK mapping spinout
Affirma Capital has reached a first close of KRW443 billion ($403 million) on its fifth Korea-focused fund, while simultaneously announcing a $181 million investment in SK Telecom’s mobility business.
FountainVest, ClearVue back China self-driving truck player
FountainVest Partners and ClearVue Partners have led a $220 million funding round for Plus, a China-based autonomous driving technology developer that specializes in trucks.
China autonomous driving start-up TuSimple files for US IPO
TuSimple, a China and US-based developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, has filed for a US IPO. Its backers include CDH Investments, Zhiping Capital, Sina Corporation, and Hong Kong hedge fund Composite Capital.
China autonomous driving developer Momenta raises $500m
SAIC Motor, Toyota Motor Corporation, Robert Bosch, Yunfeng Capital, and Temasek Holdings are among the investors in a $500 million Series C funding round for Chinese autonomous driving technology developer Momenta.
Hong Kong's Gly Capital launches $300m mobility tech fund
Gly Capital, a Hong Kong-based investor controlled by Chinese auto giant Geely, has launched a $300 million mobility tech fund.
Polaris buys mapping business from Japan's Pioneer
Japanese technology conglomerate Pioneer Corporation has agreed to sell Increment P Corporation – its car navigation and mapping business – to Polaris Capital Group.
MBK exits China's Apex International
MBK Partners has agreed to sell Apex International, China’s second-largest air freight forwarder, to Swiss logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel.
Carlyle to invest $200m in Korea's Kakao Mobility
The Carlyle Group has invested $200 million in Kakao Mobility, a transportation-focused spinout from Korea’s Kakao Corporation that offers taxi-hailing, designated driver, and other services.
Asia to play larger role in Eurazeo's second smart city fund
Asia is expected to feature more prominently – in terms of investors and investments – in Eurazeo’s second smart city venture capital fund, which has reached a first close of EUR80 million ($97 million).
Brunei, CPE join Series C extension for China's Pony.ai
Chinese autonomous driving technology supplier Pony.ai has secured a Series C extension of $100 million featuring new investors Brunei Investment Agency and CPE. It takes the company’s total funding to date past $1.1 billion.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Exit of the Year - Large Cap: Velocity Frequent Flyer
Building a core competence in data analytics and a broader array of loyalty options underpinned Affinity Equity Partners’ 3.6x return on Velocity Frequent Flyer
Ravi Thakran's SPAC plans merger with aviation business
A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) launched by Ravi Thakran, formerly head of L Catterton’s Asia operation, plans to merge with Wheels Up – a US-based aviation business described as Uber for private jets – at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
KKR closes Asia infrastructure fund at $3.9b
KKR has reached a final close on its first Asia Pacific-dedicated infrastructure fund at the hard cap of $3.9 billion. It is being called the largest pan-regional infrastructure fund ever raised.
Australia's Arcadia debuts with equipment rental deal
Arcadia Capital, an Australia-based private equity firm that operates on a deal-by-deal basis, has completed its debut investment with the acquisition of specialist equipment rental business Orange Hire.
CVC backs Philippines logistics provider
CVC Capital Partners has invested an undisclosed sum in The Fast Group, which claims to be the largest third-party logistics provider in the Philippines.
Singapore's Velocity Ventures launches travel fund
Velocity Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on travel and hospitality, has launched its debut early-stage fund targeting Southeast Asia with a target of $20 million.
DST leads $200m Series E for India's Cars24
Russia’s DST Global has led a $200 million Series E round for Indian used car platform operator Cars24 at a valuation of more than $1 billion.
MBK invests $228m in China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has agreed to invest HK$1.8 billion ($228.3 million) in Hong Kong-listed China Auto Rental (CAR), taking a 20.9% stake.
China's Pony.ai hits $5.3b valuation with OTPP-led round
Canada’s Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTTP) has led a $267 million Series C round for Chinese autonomous driving technology supplier Pony.ai at a post-money valuation of $5.3 billion.
Japan's Drone Fund secures anchor LPs for third vintage
Japan’s Drone Fund has reached a first close of undisclosed size on its third VC fund, with SMBC Nikko Securities and NTT Docomo coming in as anchor LPs. The target is JPY10 billion ($95 million).
Tech, flexibility indispensable in ASEAN logistics
Logistics operators navigating Southeast Asia’s challenging fragmentation against the backdrop of COVID-19 must embrace digital upgrades and flexibility in terms of service offering.
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.