News
COVID-19 amplifies focus on societal issues - AVCJ Forum
Concerns that impact investment would get pushed to the margins in the chaos of COVID-19 have been confounded by a renewed emphasis on social issues created by the pandemic, according to industry participants.
KKR agrees $1.6b carve-out of Walmart's Japan business
KKR has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Seiyu, a Japanese supermarket operator controlled by US-headquartered Walmart, in a deal that values the business at JPY172.5 billion ($1.6 billion).
Aavishkaar, Circulate invest $18m in Indian recycling company
Aavishkaar Capital and Circulate Capital have invested a combined $18 million in Indian waste recovery and recycling business Nepra.
India food delivery player Zomato raises $195m
India-based food delivery business Zomato has raised $195 million from a group of investors including US-based Kora Management and Luxor Capital, and Korea’s Mirae Asset Capital.
China open source software player raises $43m Series B
Zilliz, a Chinese open-source software developer specializing in unstructured data processing and analysis, has raised a $43 million Series B round led by Hillhouse Capital affiliate GL Ventures.
MBK makes $1.1b take-private offer for China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has followed up its purchase of a significant minority stake in car rental business China Auto Rental (CAR) with a take-private offer that values the company at HK$8.56 billion ($1.1 billion).
China cloud communication start-up secures $60m Series D
XYLink, a Chinese cloud communication service platform, has raised a RMB400 million ($60 million) Series D round led by Qi An Xin, a cybersecurity spinout from Qihoo 360.
J-Star exits Japan TV shopping business via trade sale
J-Star has sold Itty, a Japanese TV shopping business that specializes in healthy living products, to local broadcaster TV Asahi Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
ADIA, OTTP invest $1.2b in renewables-focused Equis
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTTP) have confirmed a $1.2 billion investment in Asia-focused renewable energy owner-operator Equis Development.
GIC leads $200m round for Chinese teaching materials supplier
GIC Private has led a $200 million investment - the third tranche of Series D round - for Aixuexi Education Group, a China-based developer of teaching materials for schools. Warburg Pincus also participated.
China's Yingke raises $1.5b technology, healthcare fund
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has raised RMB10 billion ($1.5 billion) for a fund that will focus on core technology and biomedical science assets in China.
Manulife backs spinout from Hong Kong’s JIDA
Manulife Investment Management is supporting the spinout of the team at Hong Kong infrastructure investor JIDA Capital, acquiring a significant minority stake in the new GP.
Goldman invests $150m in India biosimilars business
Goldman Sachs has invested INR11.2 billion ($150 million) in Biocon Biologics, the biosimilars business of Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturer Biocon, at a post-money valuation of $3.94 billion.
Ascent closes debut Myanmar fund at $88m
Ascent Capital has closed its debut Myanmar growth fund with $88 million in commitments. It is said to be the largest private equity fund dedicated to the country.
Hong Kong insurtech start-up Coherent raises $14m
Coherent, a Hong Kong-based insurance technology company, has raised a $14 million Series A round led by Cathay Innovation, with participation from Franklin Templeton.
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.
Grab leads $100m round for Indonesia e-wallet player
Singapore-based ride-hailing and local services platform Grab has led a $100 million Series B round for Indonesian e-wallet services provider LinkAja.
China distressed asset manager DCL raises $455m
DCL Investments, one of China’s first private equity firms to focus on distressed assets, has raised RMB3 billion ($455 million) for its latest renminbi-denominated vehicle.
China autonomous truck player Inceptio secures $120m
Inceptio, a Chinese autonomous driving technology provider focusing on line-haul trucking has raised $120 million in funding led by domestic vehicle battery manufacturer CATL.
Hillhouse, Boyu, CareCapital back condom maker
Chinese private equity firms Hillhouse Capital, Boyu Capital and CareCapital Partners, a specialist dental and consumer health investor, have paid $200 million for a 40% stake in condom brand LifeStyles.
India supply chain player Xpressbees raises $110m
Indian e-commerce delivery start-up Xpressbees has raised INR8 billion ($110 million) from Investcorp, Norwest Venture Partners, and Gaja Capital.
China short video platform Kuaishou files for Hong Kong IPO
Kuaishou, a Chinese video sharing and social networking platform backed by the likes of Tencent Holdings, Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital and DST Global, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
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.
Cell analysis player Cytek raises $120m Series D
RA Capital and Hillhouse Capital have led a $120 million Series D round for Cytek Biosciences, a California-based cell analysis start-up founded by a former professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.