Transportation
Astra commits $100m to Go-Jek's Series F
Astra International, an Indonesian conglomerate that controls the country’s largest automotive distributor, has agreed to invest $100 million in the first tranche of a Series F round for ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek.
AirAsia sets up venture capital fund
Malaysia’s AirAsia has launched a venture capital fund in partnership with US-based 500 Startups that will focus on digital Southeast Asian businesses in travel, logistics and financial technology.
Tiger, Matrix lead $56m round for EV spin-out of India's Ola
Tiger Global Management and Matrix Partners India have co-led a INR4 billion ($56.3 million) investment in an independent electric vehicle (EV) company spun out from Indian ride-hailing platform Ola.
BaltCap, JBIC launch $113m Europe-Japan VC fund
Estonian private equity firm BaltCap and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have launched a EUR100 million ($113 million) Europe-Asia cross-border VC fund with a focus on Japan.
Canada's OMERS makes first India infrastructure investment
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has made its first investment in India’s infrastructure sector, buying a 22% stake in infrastructure investment trust IndInfravit Trust for INR8.7 billion ($122 million).
Flipkart co-founder invests $91m in India’s Ola
Sachin Bansal, a co-founder of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, has invested INR6.5 billion ($91 million) in ride-hailing platform Ola.
Hong Kong’s Lalamove secures $300m Series D
Hong Kong-based delivery start-up Lalamove - known as Huolala in mainland China - has raised $300 million across two tranches in a Series D round led by Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia Capital China.
Alliance backs China EV player PowerShare
Alliance Ventures, a VC firm created by Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, has confirmed an investment of undisclosed size in Chinese electric vehicle (EV) technology supplier PowerShare.
Chinese self-driving truck player TuSimple raises $95m Series D
TuSimple, a China and US-based developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, has closed its Series D round at $95 million, achieving a pre-money valuation of $1 billion.
I Squared platform acquires India toll road assets
Cube Highways and Infrastructure, the India toll road and transportation investment platform of I Squared Capital, has agreed to acquire two toll road assets owned by Indian infrastructure developer KNR Constructions for INR1.9 billion ($26.7 million).
Japan Airlines launches $70m VC fund
Japan Airlines (JAL) has provided $70 million for a venture capital fund focused on transportation technology start-ups. It will be managed by US-based TransLink Capital.
Hong Kong's Integrated leads $10m round for India's Rapido
Hong Kong-based investment firm Integrated Capital has led a $10 million Series A round for Indian motor scooter taxi start-up Rapido.
Q&A: Grab's Ming Maa
Ming Maa, president of Grab, explains how the transformation of a taxi-hailing start-up into a diversified technology heavyweight reflects ongoing confidence in Southeast Asia’s economic future
CLSA buys Japan parking lot operator
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired 100% of Ecolo Holdings, a Japanese parking lot business that operates primarily under the name Ecolocity.
Australia's Next Capital to buy NZ Bus from Infratil
Australian mid-market buyout firm Next Capital has agreed to buy NZ Bus, a local bus service operator in New Zealand, from infrastructure investment manager Infratil.
CITIC Capital, FountainVest buy control of pallet leasing business
CITIC Capital Partners and FountainVest Partners have acquired a majority stake in China Merchants Loscam, a pallet and packaging business owned by Sinotrans, for RMB2.48 billion ($359 million).
Ola, VCs back India scooter sharing player Vogo
India-based ride-hailing platform Ola has committed $100 million worth of inventory to domestic scooter sharing business Vogo. It is part of a Series A round that also features Matrix Partners India and Stellaris Venture Partners.
Chinese online truck logistics platform raises $170m
Fuyoukache, a Chinese online truck logistics platform, has raised $170 million in a Series D round led by a Bank of China investment unit and Matrix Partners China. Prospect Avenue Capital also participated.
VIG-owned Hi-Parking buys Wilson Parking Korea
HiParking, a Korean parking managing business owned by VIG Partners, has agreed to buy Wilson Parking Korea as part of an industry consolidation play.
Hong Kong's EmergeVest consolidates UK logistics assets
Hong Kong-based EmergeVest – a PE firm established by former executives from HSBC’s Asia principal investments division – has consolidated ownership of six UK logistics assets into a single platform with GBP850 million ($1 billion) in annual revenue.
Booking invests $200m in Southeast Asia's Grab
Booking Holdings, which operates multiple online travel sites, has invested $200 million in Southeast Asia ride-hailing app Grab as part of a strategic partnership.
China's Niu raises $63m in IPO, closes down on debut
Chinese electric scooter manufacturer Niu Technologies ended its first day of trading on NASDAQ down 3.9% after raising $63 million in a scaled back IPO. The company’s backers include GGV Capital, Future Capital, and IDG Capital.
VC-backed Chinese scooter maker targets $104m in US IPO
Niu Technologies, China's largest producer of lithium-ion electric scooters, is targeting up to $104 million in its US IPO. VC backers include GGV Capital and Future Capital Discovery Fund.
Temasek commits $400m to India's NIIF
Temasek Holdings has agreed to invest up to $400 million in India’s National Investment Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).