News
Realism on exits essential in Southeast Asia – AVCJ Forum
Exits remain challenging in Southeast Asian private equity, but LPs see a growing willingness among the region’s GPs to take this difficulty into account when planning their investments.
Alibaba leads Series D for China education start-up
Alibaba Group has led a $150 million Series D round of funding for Knowbox, a Chinese education start-up that develops a range of mobile apps aimed at students and teachers.
EBay buys 5.5% stake in India's Paytm Mall
EBay has acquired a 5.5% stake in Paytm Mall, the e-commerce arm of Indian online payments platform Paytm.
European investors back India's MyMoneyMantra
Switzerland-based private equity firm Vaalon Capital and Netherlands investor IFSD BV have provided a combined $15 million to Indian financial and enterprise services provider MyMoneyMantra (MMM).
Ebix to acquire India's Yatra Online for $338m
Indian travel services platform Yatra Online, which has several VC investors, has agreed to an acquisition by software and e-commerce services provider Ebix at an enterprise valuation of $337.8 million.
Visa joins Series F for Indonesia’s Go-Jek
Visa has confirmed its participation in an ongoing Series F round for Indonesia-based ride-hailing and online services platform Go-Jek that had raised about $1 billion as of February.
Korea's Orum Therapeutics secures $30m Series B
Orum Therapeutics, a Korean biotechnology developer targeting cancer and rare diseases, has secured a $30 million Series B round from a group including IMM Investment and InterVest.
VinaCapital acquires Singapore fintech player Smartly
Vietnam’s VinaCapital has acquired the operations of Singapore financial technology platform Smartly for an undisclosed sum.
Chinese streaming platform trades flat after $775m US IPO
Chinese game live-streaming platform Douyu International Holdings closed flat on its first day of trading on NASDAQ following a $775 million IPO – the largest US offering by a Chinese company this year.
Investors challenged by governance in SE Asia – AVCJ Forum
Implementing institutional-class governance practices at portfolio companies remains a significant hurdle for Southeast Asia-focused buyout firms, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
Chinese B2B electronic components platforms raises Series A
Sequoia Capital China and Eastern Bell Venture Capital have led a RMB250 million ($36.3 million) Series A round for Lichuang Mall, a Chinese B2B online trading platform that specializes in electronic components.
Singapore’s Near gets $100m from Greater Pacific Capital
Near, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) services provider that supports enterprise analytics, has raised $100 million from UK private equity firm Greater Pacific Capital.
Gobi, AirAsia unit invest $11m in Malaysia's EasyParcel
Gobi Partners has joined Teleport, the cargo and logistics platform of AirAsia, to commit $10.6 million in Series B funding to Malaysia-based e-commerce logistics and parcel delivery service EasyParcel.
Chinese smart robot maker files for US IPO
Chinese cloud-based robotics developer CloudMinds has filed for an IPO in the US with a view to raising up to $500 million.
Asia-based Ilfryn Carstairs to become co-CEO of Värde
Ilfryn Carstairs (pictured), Singapore-based CIO of global alternative investor Värde Partners, has been named CEO. He will share the role with George Hicks, the incumbent and co-founder of the firm.
Singapore smart city supplier Igloohome gets $15m
Igloohome, a Singapore-based smart city supplier for enterprises in real estate and infrastructure, has raised a $15 million round co-led by Wavemaker Partners, Insignia Ventures Partners, and Seeds Capital.
China's Centurium names Michael Chen as partner
China’s Centurium Capital has appointed Michael Chen (pictured), formerly an investor with Warburg Pincus, as a partner and managing director.
Investors target China's lower-tier cities - AVCJ Forum
Private equity and venture capital firms are seeking investments that target China’s lower-tier cities, which continue to see rapid consumption growth despite the economic slowdown at national level.
Bain Capital Credit invests $300m in D&J China
Bain Capital Credit has invested $300 million in D&J China, a Shanghai-based business and technology development park developer pursuing a domestic expansion.
Ping An invests in PE-backed Chinese online education start-up
Ping An Insurance has made a strategic investment in iTutorGroup, a Chinese online education platform that previously raised four rounds of funding, the most recent at a valuation of $1.6 billion.
PAG buys Australia's Craveable Brands from Archer
Australian quick service restaurant chains Oporto, Red Rooster and Chicken Treat have their third consecutive private equity owner after PAG Asia Capital bought the business from Archer Capital.
Plum Ventures raises $77m for China angel fund
Chinese early-stage investor Plum Ventures has closed its fifth angel fund with RMB532.5 million ($77.4 million) in commitments, taking its total assets under management to RMB3 billion.
Singapore's Novena buys VC-backed China hair salon chain
Singapore-based healthcare platform Novena Global Lifecare has completed a $350 million merger with Xingkedou, a VC-backed Chinese hair salon operator that specializes in fast turnaround services.
Fosun leads Series C for Singapore's theAsianparent
Fosun RZ Capital, the VC arm of Fosun, has led a Series C round of undisclosed size for Singapore-based theAsianparent, which claims to be Southeast Asia’s largest mother-and-child online platform.
