USA
MC-Seamax closes maiden shipping fund at $300m
MC-Seamax Managagement, the US-based GP backed by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, has reached a $300 million close on its maiden fund intended to take advantage of depressed prices in the global shipping industry.
Australia's MLC to open US office
MLC Private Equity, which is part of National Australia Bank's wealth management division, will open an office in New York to cover investment opportunities in North America and Latin America.
Korean groups launch $180m North America infrastructure mandate
A group of Korean institutional investors led by a unit of KB Financial Group has awarded a North American infrastructure mandate worth $180 million to Fengate Capital Management.
Taiwan launches $120m Silicon Valley VC fund
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) have agreed to form $120 million VC fund that will invest in Silicon Valley tech start-ups.
China's VC-backed Taomee receives take-private proposal
An investment arm of Chinese brokerage Orient Securities has teamed up with the CEO and president of children's entertainment group Taomee Holdings, and submitted a take-private offer for the US-listed company.
US listing costs tipped to create more China take-private opportunities
A new wave of take-private deals could be on the way as Chinese companies, frustrated with the cost of remaining listed in the US, consider uprooting and returning to their home country.
Silver Lake-backed Avago agrees $37b Broadcom deal
Avago Technologies, a Singapore-incorporated chip maker backed by Silver Lake Partners, has agreed to buy its NASDAQ-listed rival Broadcom Corp. for $37 billion in cash and stock.
PE-backed SSI to acquire Australia, New Zealand marketing firms
Survey Sampling International (SSI), a US-based market research company backed by Palo-Alto PE firm HGGC, will acquire online research panels MyOpinions, of Australia, and SmileCity Limited, of New Zealand.
Energy: A world beyond funds
A small but growing band of GPs are modifying the conventional PE fund model in favor of solutions that better meet their needs. For those with long-hold, asset-heavy strategies, the future may lie in platforms
Chinese consortium to buy US biotech firm Ambrx
A consortium of Chinese investors including Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group, Hopu Investments, CEL Healthcare Fund and WuXi PharmaTech will acquire Ambrx, a US-based biotech pharmaceutical developer.
China's Baozun gains on US debut after smaller-than-expected IPO
Chinese e-commerce platform solutions provider Baozun, which has several strategic and private equity backers, saw its stock gain 3.5% on its US trading debut following an IPO that priced below the indicative range.
US digital payment firm raises $28m for Asia expansion
US-based online payment system developer Ripple Labs is looking to expand in Asia on the back of a $28 million Series A round provided by investors including IDG Capital Partners and AME Cloud Ventures.
Tsinghua buys HP’s China data-networking business – update
Tsinghua Holdings has agreed to buy a majority stake in Hewlett-Packard's (HP) China-based data-networking business for approximately $2.3 billion.
GGV closes $457m China top-up fund
GGV Capital has raised a $457 million top-up fund for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies.
Korea’s Posco, Green Cross lead round for US-based Juventas
South Korea-based Posco Capital and biopharmaceutical player Green Cross have led a $7.5 million round for Juventas Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech development company based in the US.
TPG, PAG-owned DTZ to buy Cushman & Wakefield for $2b
DTZ, a property services provider owned by TPG Capital, PAG Asia Capital and co-investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), has agreed to buy industry peer Cushman & Wakefield for an enterprise value of $2 billion.
Singtel Innov8 leads Series B round for US big data start-up
Singtel Innov8, the early stage investor backed by Singapore telco Singtel, has led a $15 million Series B round for US big data start-up DataTorrent. GE Ventures, and the start-up's existing investors, also took part in the round.
China's Fosun to acquire remaining interest in Ironshore
China's Fosun International is seeking to fully acquire US insurer Ironshore, offering $1.8 billion for an 80% stake.
OPIC seeks fundraising proposals from emerging markets GPs
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance institution (DFI) backed by the US government, has issued a call for proposals from private equity fund managers raising funds for emerging markets.
Apax to exit iGate as Capgemini agrees $4b acquisition
French IT services company Capgemini will pay $4 billion to acquire US and India-based technology and service provider iGate, facilitating a 3.7x exit for iGate's PE backer, Apax Partners.
Fosun, Tencent lead $35m round for US medical device start-up
China's Fosun International and Tencent Holdings have led a $35 million Series B round for Scanadu, a US-based medical technology start-up working on devices that can send diagnostic tests directly to smart phones.
Sprinklr raises Series A round to launch Japan unit
US-based social media management software developer Sprinklr has raised JPY1 billion ($8.4 million) in a Series A round to support its Japan branch, with participation by Recruit Holdings and Suneight.
China’s Ninebot raises $80m, acquires Segway
Ninebot, a China-based electric scooter manufacturer, has bought its US-based rival Segway for an undisclosed sum and raised $80 million in Series A funding.
Accel, Recruit Holdings back Australia's 99designs
Australia-founded online design marketplace 99designs has raised $10 million in a Series B round led by Recruit Strategic Partners, with existing investor Accel Partners also participating.