News
New Zealand’s Maori to gain prominence in private equity
New Zealand’s indigenous Maori tribes, also known as iwi groups, are set to accelerate their growing exposure to local private equity in the form of LP contributions, according to industry participants.
VCs back Chinese mapping technology developer
Kuandeng Technology, a Chinese start-up developing precision mapping technology for self-driving cars, has completed a Series A round of funding led by IDG Capital.
AIIB set to support Indian sovereign wealth fund
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Beijing-based multilateral development bank aimed at supporting infrastructure projects in the region, plans to invest up to $200 million in the Indian government-backed National Infrastructure and Investment...
NAB Ventures backs $7m round for Australia's BrickX
NAB Ventures, a unit of National Australia Bank (NAB), has joined a A$9 million ($7 million) Series A funding round for BrickX, a domestic financial technology start-up focused on the real estate sector.
Tokio Marine exits Japanese machinery parts maker
Tokio Marine Capital has agreed to sell its entire stake in Tonichi Kosan, a Japanese manufacturer of parts used in construction and agricultural machinery, to machinery wholesaler Wakita & Co.
Primavera-backed Chinese education player targets US IPO
Sunlands Online Education Group, a post-secondary and professional education services business backed by Primavera Capital, has filed for a US IPO.
Abraaj founder steps back as part of governance review
Arif Naqvi, founder of The Abraaj Group, has stepped back from the fund management business as part of changes to the firm’s governance and operating model. This comes after LPs expressed concerns that a healthcare fund had been misused.
China’s Danke Gongyu raises $100m Series B
CMC Capital Partners and Banyan Capital have jointly led a $100 million Series B round of funding for Danke Gongyu, a China-based start-up that provides apartment rental services.
KKR part exits India's Coffee Day for $63m
KKR has sold the majority of its stake in Indian coffee shop and restaurant chain Coffee Day Enterprises for INR4.1 billion ($62.6 million).
VinaCapital invests $32.5m in Vietnam food player
VinaCapital has committed $32.5 million for a significant minority stake in Vietnamese egg and poultry producer Ba Huan.
Anthem seeks up to $50m for Myanmar fund
Anthem Asia has launched a Myanmar-focused private equity fund with a view to raising up to $50 million for investment in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Australia’s Foundry invests in Welleco
The Foundry, a private equity firm launched by executives from vitamin producer Swisse Wellness, has acquired a 25% stake in Welleco, a dietary supplement maker co-founded by supermodel Elle Macpherson (pictured).
Chinese fund abandons Xcerra deal, cites CFIUS problems
Sino IC Capital, a technology-focused PE fund manager backed by the Chinese government, has become the latest investor to fall foul of US regulators following the termination of its acquisition of semiconductor and electronics manufacturer Xcerra.
China’s Fosun acquires French luxury brand Lanvin
Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has purchased a controlling stake in Jeanne Lanvin, one of the oldest luxury fashion labels in France, for EUR120 million ($148 million).
Chinese dating app Momo buys VC-backed Tantan
Chinese mobile dating app operator Momo, which has been listed on NASDAQ since 2014, has agreed to buy 100% of VC-backed industry peer Tantan in a cash and stock deal.
Baird buys stake in funeral services provider Nirvana Asia
Baird Capital has acquired a minority stake in Nirvana Asia, a funeral services business that was privatized by CVC Capital Partners in 2016 in conjunction with the company’s founder.
Yunfeng, MicroPort agree international medical devices carve-out
Chinese PE firm Yunfeng Capital and Hong Kong-listed medical device manufacturer MicroPort Scientific Corporation will acquire US-listed LivaNova's cardiac rhythm management (CRM) business for $190 million in cash.
Asia takes emerging markets fundraising to post-crisis high - EMPEA
Emerging markets private capital fundraising – led by emerging Asia – reached its highest point since the before the global financial crisis in 2017, according to EMPEA, with capital dispersed more evenly across different strategies than ever before.
Taiwan’s KKday secures $10.5m Series B
KKday, a Taiwan-based start-up that helps tourists find local activities, has secured $10.5 million Series B round of funding led by Japanese travel agent HIS, with participation from existing backer MindWorks Ventures.
CFCG launches $200m education sector fund
Hong Kong-listed education sector investor China First Capital Group (CFCG) has launched a $200 million fund that will establish and acquire preschools in China.
Orchestra buys Korean post-production business
Orchestra Private Equity, a GP that focuses on Korea-Japan cross-border transactions, has invested KRW61 billion ($56 million) for an 87% stake in Seoul Vision, a Korean post-production house for TV commercials.
Lightspeed backs $50m Series B for India’s Udaan
Lightspeed Venture Partners and DST Global founder Yuri Milner have backed a $50 million Series B round for Indian B2B e-commerce start-up Udaan. It follows a $10 million Series A led by Lightspeed in 2016.
Cathay Capital to acquire German auto parts supplier
Cathay Capital Private Equity, a cross-border PE firm focusing on China, Europe and the US, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in German auto-parts maker E. Winkemann from Equistone Partners Europe.
Warburg, Sequoia join $20m investment in India's Capillary
Capillary Technologies, an Indian cloud-based software provider that focuses on customer relationship management (CRM), has raised $20 million from existing investors including Warburg Pincus and Sequoia Capital.