News
Shenzhen government launches $79m blockchain fund
The government of Shenzhen has launched a VC fund with an initial corpus of RMB500 million ($79 million) to invest in blockchain start-ups in the city.
Chinese VCs in $11m round for US-based NuProbe
Sequoia Capital China and Serica Partners have co-led an $11 million Series A round for US-based molecular diagnostics start-up NuProbe.
Shenzhen Capital backs Asia push by US 3D printing player
Shenzhen Capital has joined a $30 million Series C round for US-based 3D printing company Formlabs that will support an expansion effort in China and Asia.
PE to find few inroads in renewable energy
Renewable energy appears set to remain a fringe interest for private equity investors despite rapid sector growth and significant opportunity for disruption.
China e-commerce back office support platform raises $120m
CDH Investment and Huaxing Growth Capital, a PE arm of financial advisor China Renaissance, have led a $120 million Series B round of funding for Yunji, a Chinese company that helps online retailers establish and maintain their platforms.
China car-sharing business gets $20 million
Like Chuxing, a Chinese car-sharing start-up, has raised $20 million in a combination of seed and Series A funding.
Ping An online healthcare business targets $1.1b in HK IPO
Ping An Healthcare & Technology - the PE-backed business that runs the healthcare-focused mobile app known as Ping An Good Doctor in China - is looking to raise up to HK$8.77 billion ($1.1 billion) in its Hong Kong IPO.
PE investment in Indonesia infra set to increase
Indonesia appears set to see more private equity investment in its growing infrastructure space as an early phase of government-dominated investment transitions into a more complex financing environment.
India's VC-backed True Balance raises $23m
True Balance, an Indian digital payments services provider whose backers include SoftBank Ventures Korea, has raised a $23 million bridge round from a group of Japanese and Korean investors.
Japan hiking app provider gets Series B
Japan-based hiking app provider Yamap has raised a JPY1.2 billion ($11.1 million) Series B funding round from a group of domestic investors including Advantage Partners-owned outdoor sports equipment retailer Ishii Sports.
Hong Kong to accept New Third Board companies
Chinese companies listed on the National Equities Exchange & Quotation (NEEQ) – a market aimed at smaller, less proven companies and qualified investors – will be encouraged to go public in Hong Kong.
India's Fortis weighs competing buyout offers
Indian healthcare service provider Fortis Healthcare (FHL) has formed a panel to evaluate several competing investment offers, including bids of INR61 billion ($933 million) from TPG Capital-backed Manipal Hospital Enterprises (MHEPL) and INR101 billion...
Paragon leads $20m round for India's Chai Point
Paragon Partners has led a $20 million Series C funding round for India-based Chai Point, a chai tea store operator that claims to be the country’s largest brand in its category.
VCs invest $25m in Japan's Plaid
Japanese digital marketing services provider Plaid has raised JPY1.5 billion ($25.1 million) from a group of VCs including existing investor Eight Roads Ventures Japan and Femto Partners.
Sequoia leads $48m round for China online baby products retailer
Sequoia Capital China has led a RMB300 million ($48 million) Series C round of funding for PatPat, a China-based e-commerce platform operator that exports maternal and infant products overseas.
IFC co-leads $22m Series C for India's Coverfox
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has co-led a $22 million Series C round for Indian online insurance marketplace Coverfox.
Singapore's RE Lee Capital launches alternatives program
Singapore-based RE Lee Capital has confirmed it will launch a series of alternative asset investment products across the next three months and commit up to $60 million to pre-seed technology start-ups.
Everstone to co-manage $710m India green infra fund
Everstone Capital has been chosen by the governments of India and the UK as a co-manager of the Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF), a PE vehicle set up to invest in sustainable infrastructure projects in India with a target of GBP500 million ($710 million)....
Alibaba invests $717m in China PE-backed rural e-commerce site
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest RMB4.5 billion ($717 million) in Huitongda Network, a private equity-backed online retailer that focuses on China’s rural areas.
Softbank leads $25m round for Singapore fintech player
Softbank Ventures Korea has led a $25 million Series B round for Funding Societies, a Singapore-based financial technology company focused on crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending.
VCs back $12m Series B for Japan's Optical Comb
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has joined a group of VCs in a JPY1.3 billion ($12 million) Series B round for Optical Comb, a Tokyo-based auto industry supplier that uses advanced 3D scanning technology.
Chinese fintech start-up raises $159m Series C
China Reform Holdings Corporation (CRHC), a Chinese state-owned asset manager, has led a RMB1 billion ($159 million) Series C round for 100Credit, a financial technology start-up that uses big data to provide credit services.
TR Capital completes two India direct secondary deals
TR Capital has completed secondary direct investments in two India-based businesses, microfinance specialist Arohan Financial Services and eyewear chain Lenskart Solutions.
MSPEA, Crescent Point lead Series C round for China's Qingke
Morgan Stanley Private Equity (MSPEA) and Crescent Point have jointly led a Series C round of funding for Qingke, a long-term rental apartment services platform in China.