News
Hony closes debut China VC fund at $130m
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has closed its first venture capital fund at $130 million after approximately four months in the market.
Saudi fund invests $1.3b in India's Reliance Retail
Saudi Arabia’s Public investment Fund (PIF) has invested INR95.5 billion ($1.3 billion) in India’s Reliance Retail, taking a 2% stake.
Polaris hits hard cap on fifth Japan fund, prepares for final close
Polaris Capital Group has reached the hard cap of JPY150 billion ($1.4 billion) for its fifth Japan buyout fund and expects to announce a final close later this month, according to CEO Yuji Kimura.
China math tuition platform VIPThink secures $180m
VIPThink, a Guangzhou-based online mathematics teaching platform for kids, which is also known as Wandou Siwei, has received $180 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
China e-signature business raises $150m Series D
Shenzhen Capital Group, Evergrande High-tech Group and Fortune Capital have participated in a RMB1 billion ($150 million) Series D round for eSign, a China-based electronic signature service provider.
Singapore's KK Fund launches large business accelerator
Singapore-based VC firm KK Fund has launched an accelerator that will help large companies develop new technology businesses through cooperation with regional start-ups.
Carlyle targets Japan environmental business buyout - update
The Carlyle Group has launched a JPY37 billion ($355 million) buyout offer that would see it take control of Japan Asia Group, the Tokyo-listed holding company for several Japanese environment-related businesses, and two key subsidiaries.
Chinese antique e-commerce start-up raises $80m Series C
Wanwu Dezhi, a Chinese e-commerce platform specializing in antiques, has closed a $80 million Series C round co-led by Huaxing Growth Capital and Source Code Capital.
Vision Plus, CYTS lead round for China hotel marketing player
Zhiketong – a WeChat-based direct sales and marketing service for high-end hotels – has raised $50 million in its Series D round led by Vision Plus Capital and CYTS Hongqi Fund.
IFM backs Australia SaaS player Zuuse
Australia’s IFM Investors has invested about A$50 million ($36 million) in local industrial software-as-a-service (SaaS) start-up Zuuse.
LionRock acquires UK shoe brand, targets China expansion
LionRock Capital, an Asian private equity firm that invests in global consumer brands with a China growth angle, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in British shoe brand Clarks.
China's JW Therapeutics trades up after $300m Hong Kong IPO
JW Therapeutics, a private equity-backed Chinese drug developer specializing in CAR T-cell therapies that engineer immune cells to fight cancers, has raised HK$2.33 billion ($300 million) through a Hong Kong IPO.
China's CARsgen raises $186m Series C
Chinese biotech player CARsgen Therapeutics has raised $186 million in Series C funding led by Loyal Valley Capital.
China cosmetics brand Perfect Diary files for US IPO
Yatsen Holding, the parent company of Chinese cosmetics brand Perfect Diary has filed for a US IPO, potentially delivering a liquidity event for the likes of Hillhouse Capital, ZhenFund and Gaorong Capital.
KKR backs Philippines telecom tower operator
KKR has invested an undisclosed sum in Philippines-based telecom tower operator Pinnacle Towers with a view to helping it expand into a regional platform.
SSIAM, Daiwa hit first close on Vietnam fund
Hanoi-based SSI Asset Management (SSIAM) and Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group have reached a first close of undisclosed size on their third joint Vietnam private equity fund. The target is $100 million.
Regulators halt Ant Group's Shanghai, Hong Kong IPO
Private equity-backed Ant Group’s bumper IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai has been put on hold by Chinese regulators over a potential failure to meet listing qualifications or disclosure requirements.
Atul Phull rejoins Everstone in business development role
Atul Phull, who left Everstone Group in 2018 after a seven-year stint spent primarily on fundraising activities, has rejoined the India and Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm.
Flipkart buys India mobile gaming start-up Mech Mocha
Indian e-commerce marketplace Flipkart has bought Mech Mocha, a local mobile gaming start-up that has previously received VC funding from Blume Ventures, Accel Partners, and China’s Shunwei Capital.
Eight Roads adds healthcare partner in China
Eight Roads Ventures has recruited Xin Liu, formerly of Greater Pacific Capital, as a partner in its China team.
Australia HR start-up Flare raises $16m
KKR-owned accounting services providers MYOB has led a A$22 million ($16 million) Series C round for Australian HR technology start-up Flare.
China's Bits x Bites hits first close on second food tech fund
Chinese food and agriculture technology investor Bits x Bites has reached a first close of $30 million on its second VC fund. The target is $70 million.
Ex-CEO of India's HDFC Bank takes advisory role at Carlyle
Aditya Puri, previously CEO of HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender, has joined The Carlyle Group as a senior advisor in Asia.
Chinese O2O retail platform Dmall gets $418m Series C
Dmall, a Chinese digital solutions provider for traditional retailers, has raised a Series C of RMB2.8 billion ($419 million) led by Industrial Bank and China Structural Reform Fund at a valuation of $2 billion.