News
China autonomous driving chip start-up hits 2b valuation
Black Sesame Technologies, a China-based chipmaker specializing in autonomous driving applications, has raised several hundred million dollars through two funding rounds at a valuation of $2 billion.
China AR glasses maker Nreal gets $100m Series C
Nreal, a Chinese manufacturer of advanced artificial reality (AR) glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised a Series C of $100 million led by Nio Capital, Yunfeng Capital, and Hongtai Capital.
Pacific Century’s insurtech business extends Series A to $210m
Pacific Century Group’s insurance technology business, Bolttech, has extended a recent $180 million Series A round to $210 million in total.
Australia's Liverpool Partners acquires coffee brand
Australian private equity firm Liverpool Partners has acquired a majority stake in Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, a branded coffee supplier to the local cafe segment.
Brookfield's Asia head joins CapitaLand's fund management arm
Patrick Boocock, a managing partner at Brookfield Asset Management who led the firm’s investment and asset management activities in Asia, has moved to newly listed CapitaLand Investments (CLI).
SoftBank, Warburg Pincus back Singapore's Advanced Intelligence
Advance Intelligence Group, a Singapore start-up best known for digital identity verification and fraud prevention platform Advance.AI and buy now, pay later (BNPL) business Atome, has raised over $400 million in Series D funding.
Platinum sells Singapore's PCI for $306m
Platinum Equity has agreed to sell PCI, a Singapore-headquartered electronics manufacturing services provider it acquired in 2019, to US-listed Celestica for $306 million in cash.
True North exits India's RDC Concrete after 16-year hold
True North has agreed to sell India-based RDC Concrete, a company it has owned since 2005, to private equity-backed online construction marketplace Infra.market.
India's Freshworks flourishes on NASDAQ debut
Freshworks, one of India's leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, traded strongly on its NASDAQ debut following a $1 billion IPO.
FountainVest buys New Zealand pet food business
China-focused private equity firm FountainVest Partners has agreed to buy Ziwi, New Zealand’s leading exporter of pet food.
China warehouse robot supplier secures $200m
Hai Robotics, a China-based manufacturer of robots used in warehouses, has raised approximately $200 million across two funding rounds.
Hong Kong’s Airwallex raises $200m at $4b valuation
Hong Kong-based Airwallex has raised a $200 million Series E round led by Lone Pine Capital at a valuation of $4 billion. A $300 million Series D in March valued the company at $2.6 billion.
Eight Roads' China hospital wins backing from Swire
DeltaHealth, a China-based cardiovascular care chain established by Eight Roads, has raised $100 million in funding led by Hong Kong-listed conglomerate Swire Pacific.
Singapore plans pre-IPO fund to attract listings
Singapore’s EDB Investments (EDBI) will establish a pre-IPO fund – with an initial commitment of S$500 million ($370 million) – that is intended to encourage high-growth companies to list in the city-state.
Partners Group backs continuation vehicle for Korean restaurant brand
MBK Partners has signed up Partners Group as the anchor investor in an approximately $500 million single-asset continuation fund for its majority stake in Korean fried chicken franchisor BHC.
8F reaches $61m first close on SE Asia aquaculture fund
8F Asset Management, a Singapore-based GP dedicated to developing a sustainable salmon business, has hit a first close of $61 million on its second fund, which will build out Southeast Asian operations.
India's Cars24 closes Series F, sees valuation double
Indian used car platform Cars24 has closed a $450 million Series F round and received $110 million in debt funding. It nearly doubles the company’s valuation to $1.84 billion.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns September 23
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on September 22 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Korean LPs adapt to the new normal – AVCJ Forum
South Korean institutional investors are keen to deploy capital in alternatives, their sentiment towards the asset class boosted by a relatively robust recovery from the pandemic and the stabilization of returns, the AVCJ Korea Forum heard.
D1 Capital leads $138m round for China's Xtransfer
XTransfer, a China-based cross-border payment services provider, has raised $138 million in Series D funding led by US-based D1 Capital Partners. Existing investors also took part in the round.
Hong Kong outlines plans for local SPAC listings
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEx) has proposed rules for IPOs by special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), admitting they are more stringent than the US system, but noting the need for more safeguards in a relatively retail investor-heavy market.
Invesco commits $100m to India's Pine Labs
Invesco has announced a $100 million commitment to Indian financial technology provider Pine Labs. It comes two months after the company closed a $600 million pre-IPO round.
India's Apna joins unicorn club 21 months after launch
India-based online jobs platform Apna has closed a $100 million funding Series C round at a valuation of $1.1 billion, achieving unicorn status just 21 months after launching its flagship product.
IFC plans re-up for A91's second India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed a commitment of up to $25 million in the sophomore fund of India’s A91 Partners, which has a target of $500-550 million.
