News
Japan's Ezaki Glico buys chocolate company from US GP
Ezaki Glico, a Japanese food company that markets a number of branded snack products, has acquired a majority stake in chocolate maker TCHO from US growth and venture capital firm Emil Capital Partners.
Former Bain executives target $500m Japan fund
Two former principals with Bain Capital Private Equity in Japan have established their own country-focused firm – Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) – and are seeking to raise a $500 million fund.
China’s Toutiao acquires VC-backed selfie app Faceu
Chinese private equity-backed online content platform Toutiao has acquired Faceu, a camera app that has received funding from IDG Capital and Lightspeed China Partners.
Singapore to launch $76m IP commercialization vehicle
Singapore will support local start-ups through a S$100 million ($76 million) intellectual property (IP) commercialization fund, with Temasek Holdings set to provide at least half the capital.
Dell Foundation in $13.5m round for Indian edtech start-up
Indian education technology start-up IMAX Program has received a $13.5 million funding round from a group of venture investors including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF).
VC-backed Taiwan drug maker files for US IPO
Taiwan Liposome, a venture capital-backed manufacturer of pain medication and treatments for eye conditions, has filed for a NASDAQ IPO.
Indonesia's Go-Jek scales up with Series E round
Indonesian ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek is set to achieve a post-deal valuation of more than $5 billion through a funding round that was expected to reach $1.5 billion but has seen the addition of several strategic backers.
Ardian opens Japan office to capture local LP interest in alternatives
Ardian has opened an office in Tokyo - its third in Asia - with a view to capitalizing on growing demand for exposure to alternatives, including private equity, from Japanese institutional investors.
Gobi's Victor Chua leaves to launch SE Asia VC firm
Victor Chua has left a position as vice president focusing on Southeast Asia at Gobi Partners to launch his own Malaysia-based VC firm, Vynn Capital.
Chinese PE firm to acquire Spain’s Imagina Media
Orient Hontai Capital, a PE unit of China’s Orient Securities, has agreed to buy a 53.5% stake in Imagina Media Audiovisual, part of Spain-based Mediapro Group. The transaction values Imagina at EUR1.9 billion ($2.35 billion).
Mahindra participates in $40m round for India's Zoomcar
Mahindra & Mahindra will invest up to INR1.76 billion ($27 million) in Zoomcar as part of a $40 million round for the Indian car-rental start-up. The rest of the capital comes from existing backers.
CHAMP Ventures-owned Macpac set for $107m trade sale
Australia-listed Super Retail Group has agreed to buy 100% of Macpac, a New Zealand-headquartered outdoor apparel and equipment supplier owned by CHAMP Ventures, for NZ$144 million ($107 million).
VIG buys Korean food wholesaler for $69m
VIG Partners has agreed to buy an 83.1% stake in Korean food wholesaler WinPlus for KRW74 billion ($69 million). The investment includes a primary capital injection of KRW45 billion.
Co-founder of Chinese GP Ascendent to leave firm
Kevin Zhang, one of the two co-founders of Chinese middle market private equity firm Ascendent Capital Partners, is retiring from the firm. He is understood to be planning to establish his own family office.
Hillhouse, Sequoia join $2.5b round for JD.com's logistics unit
Chinese online retailer JD.com has raised approximately $2.5 billion for its logistics subsidiary from investors including Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia Capital China.
CITIC Capital-backed Harbin Pharma buys 40% stake in GNC
China’s Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, which is controlled by CITIC Capital, has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in GNC Holdings for $300 million, becoming the largest shareholder in the US-based nutritional supplements retailer.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns February 20
AVCJ's daily bulletin will take a short break for the Lunar New Year holiday. Publication will resume on February 20.
NDE reaches $357m close on Fund II, raises hard cap
Chinese private equity firm NDE Capital has confirmed a third close for its second fund with $357 million in commitments, surpassing a $350 million hard cap. It has raised the targeted corpus to $450 million.
CVC's Japan president to join Toshiba
Nobuaki Kurumatani, who has been president of CVC Capital Partners’ Japan operation for less than a year, is departing to become chairman and CEO of Toshiba Corporation.
Blackstone makes leadership team changes
The Blackstone Group has shuffled its senior leadership – with Tony James, the firm’s president and COO, handing over day-to-day management duties to global real estate head Jon Gray – as part of efforts to address succession planning.
PE-backed NBFC Indostar files for India IPO
Indostar Capital Finance (ICF), an Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) backed by Everstone Capital and other PE investors, has filed for an IPO.
China’s Easyhome raises $2b from Alibaba, PE investors
Alibaba Group has joined a group of PE investors to acquire a 36% interest in Beijing Easyhome Furnishing, China’s second-largest home improvement supplies and furniture chain operator, in a deal worth RMB13 billion ($2 billion).
Australia's PEP launches secure assets fund
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has launched an Australia and New Zealand-focused secure assets fund intended to invest in companies that generate annuity income but also offer opportunities for traditional private equity-style operational improvement.
Fullerton leads $87m round for India's Lendingkart
Fullerton Financial Holdings has led an $87 million Series C round for Indian financial technology platform Lendingkart.