News
MoFo adds fund formation partner in Hong Kong
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has bolstered its Asia fund formation capabilities with the appointment of Nicholas Sheets as a partner based in its Hong Kong office.
Chinese online property marketplace set for IPO
Fangdd Network, a Chinese online real estate marketplace backed by the likes of FountainVest Partners and CDH Investments, has filed to list in the US.
Globis, WiL, Japan Post back Series B for AI Medical
AI Medical Service, a Japanese healthcare technology start-up working on what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence-enabled endoscopic diagnosis system, has raised JPY4.6 billion ($43 million) in Series B funding.
Creador leads Series C for India's Kogta Financial
Creador has led a INR3 billion ($42 million) Series C round for Kogta Financial, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) looking to deepen its penetration in India’s central and western states.
India's Oyo raises $700m in ongoing Series F
Indian hotel platform Oyo has raised $700 million from RA Hospitality Holdings, an entity controlled by founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal, as part of a Series F round targeting $1.5 billion.
VC-backed Chinese AI companies hit by US blacklisting
Eight Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups have been blacklisted by the US government. Several have received PE and VC funding, including SenseTime and Megvii Technology.
No easy answers in Philippines' sluggish VC market – AVCJ Forum
Industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum were hard-pressed to explain a disappointing lag in local venture capital ecosystem development.
Chinese apartment rental platform Qingke pursues US IPO
Q&K International Group, operator of China-based long-term apartment rentals platform Qingke, has filed for a US IPO. Its backers include Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Crescent Point.
Chinese fresh produce retailer Benlai raises $200m
Chinese online fresh produce retailer Benlai Group has raised $200 million in the first tranche of a Series D round led by Mingde Holding. Existing investors Gaorong Capital and CDH investments re-upped.
Singapore's Golden Equator strengthens VC team
Golden Equator Capital, which is currently deploying a Southeast Asia technology fund alongside Korea Investment Partners, has appointed Pooja Gurbani (pictured) as a partner in its venture investments team.
CLSA exits Japanese automotive tools retailer
CLSA Capital Partners has exited Worldtool, a Japanese automotive tools retailer that primarily operates under the Astro Products brand, to domestic home improvement chain Royal Homecenter.
Navis buys Malaysian durian producer
Navis Capital Partners has acquired Malaysian durian products exporter Hernan Corporation with a view to leveraging strong demand for the fruit in China and in Chinese communities globally.
Cortina targets $100m for Australia cross-border fund
Cortina Capital, a private equity firm that invests in Australian health and wellness brands with export potential in China and other Asian markets, is looking to raise $100 million for its debut fund, AVCJ understands.
Tencent injects $150m into China's VIPKid
VIPKid, China-based English language learning platform, has announced the completion of a Series E funding round led by Tencent Holdings.
PropertyGuru seeks as much as $256m in Australia IPO
PropertyGuru, a Southeast Asia-focused online real estate portal that counts TPG Capital and KKR among its investors, is looking to raise up to A$380.2 million ($256 million) through an IPO in Australia.
India's Everstone hires ex-Temasek executive
Everstone Group has appointed Vibhor Kumar Talreja, who previously spent 12 years with Temasek Holdings in India, as a managing director in its private equity business.
Anacacia backs Australian industrial consulting business
Anacacia Capital has invested in Root Partnerships, which claims to be one of Australia’s largest independent infrastructure advisory and project management firms.
Affinity sells Australia ticketing business to Silver Lake
Affinity Equity Partners has agreed its second Australia exit in three weeks, with Silver Lake set to assume control of ticketing business TEG. It follows a deal to sell a 35% stake in Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer business back to the parent company....
Southeast Asia's internet economy to be worth $100b in 2019
The gross merchandise value (GMV) of Southeast Asia’s internet economy will surpass $100 billion this year and hit $300 billion by 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek Holdings, and Bain & Company.
Co-Stone leads $28m Series B for Chinese gene sequencer
Gene+ Technology, a Chinese provider of gene sequencing services used to support cancer diagnoses, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in a Series B round led by Co-Stone Asset Management.
India's Udaan closes Series D at $585m
India’s Udaan has closed its Series D round at $585 million, with the latest contribution featuring Tencent Holdings and the VC arm of Citi. It values the B2B online marketplace at $2.5-3 billion.
Japanese flying car developer receives $14m
Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has raised a $14 million funding round from a group including Itochu Technology Ventures and Strive.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns October 8
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on October 7 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong marking the Chung Yeung Festival.
Japan's GPIF reappoints Hiro Mizuno as CIO
Hiro Mizuno (pictured) has been reappointed CIO of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) following the conclusion of his first term leading the world’s largest retirement savings pool at the end of September.