News
Rocket Internet cuts valuation on fashion portal, raises $339m
Start-up incubator Rocket Internet and Sweden's Investment AB Kinnevik have committed EUR300 million ($339 million) to their emerging markets-focused online fashion portal Global Fashion Group (GFG), at a valuation of EUR1 billion.
Helion, Ventureast in $12m round for India’s Seclore
Helion Ventures and Ventureast have participated in a $12 million Series B round for Indian data security solutions provider Seclore.
ICICI Venture commits $18m to India's Anthea Aromatics
ICICI Venture has invested INR 1.2 billion ($18 million) in specialty chemicals maker Anthea Aromatics for what AVCJ understands to be a significant minority stake.
Intouch leads Series B for Thailand's Wongnai
Intouch Holdings, acting through its VC arm, InVest, has led a Series B round of funding for Thai restaurant review website operator Wongnai Media.
Temasek makes organizational changes, promotions
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has combined its sector and market investment teams under a single investment group – promoting to president the two executives who will run this division – and created a new portfolio strategy and risk group in response...
India's Roposo raises $5m from Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann India Investments has invested $5 million in Roposo, a domestic fashion-oriented social network and shopping app provider.
China ticket booking site Weiying raises $462m
Beijing Weiying Times Technology, a Chinese online portal that sells movie tickets, has raised RMB3 billion ($462 million) in an extended Series C round of funding at a valuation of $2 billion.
China's Zero Zero Robotics gets $23m Series A round
Zero Zero Robotics, a Beijing-based start-up that has developed a flying camera for the consumer market, has received $23 million in Series A funding from IDG Capital Partners, GSR Ventures, ZhenFund and ZUIG.
TPG buys India-focused CTSI for $33m
TPG Capital has bought a majority stake in Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI), a US cancer treatment chain focused on India and South Asia. AVCJ understands that the firm paid $33 million for a 65% interest.
China's IPV, Tsing back US hygiene technology start-up
China-based VC firms IPV Capital and Tsing Capital have led a $26 million Series C round of funding for RayVio Corp, a US company that has developed an ultraviolet LED technology for use in hygiene products.
HTC launches $100m VR accelerator in China, Taiwan, US
Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC has launched a global accelerator program with $100 million to support start-ups working on virtual reality (VR) applications.
Aarin Capital anchors $18.8m India venture fund
Aarin Capital has anchored the launch of Ideaspring Capital, a venture fund seeking to raise INR1.2 billion ($18.8 million) for investments in Indian technology start-ups.
China's Ant Financial closes $4.5b funding round
Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s online financial services affiliate, has completed a $4.5 billion Series B round of funding, said to be the largest-ever fundraise by a private internet company globally.
Puji Capital, Jupai Holdings invest in China Wanda Pictures
Two Chinese investment groups – Puji Capital and Jupai Holdings – have formed a joint venture (JV) to invest in Wanda Pictures, the film production and distribution division of domestic conglomerate Dalian Wanda.
Thailand to launch $568m venture fund
The Thailand government has announced the launch of a THB20 billion ($568 million) venture fund as part of an economic modernization agenda.
IDFC, Micromax lead $15m Series C for India's TranServ
IDFC Asset Management and consumer electronics manufacturer Micromax Informatics have led a INR1 billion ($15 million) Series C round for Indian digital payments developer TranServ.
Innovation Works co-founder launches China seed fund
Zhaohui Wang, co-founder and formerly operating partner at Innovation Works, has launched a China-focused seed fund to invest in culture, media and sport-related assets.
Shamrock to support Silvergate Media's China push
US private equity firm Shamrock Capital Advisors has acquired a majority stake in Silvergate Media with a view to expanding the company’s presence in China.
Apollo, IFC form $1b emerging markets distress partnership
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has formed a $1 billion partnership with Apollo Global Management to invest in distressed assets in emerging markets.
FountainVest, Focus Media launch $400m China sport fund
FountainVest Partners and its portfolio company Focus Media - a Chinese outdoor advertising business that went public via a backdoor listing last year - will launch a $400 million sport industry-focused fund.
Harvest leads $50m round for China’s Hua Medicine
Harvest Fund Management has led a $50 million Series C round – which was more than 3x oversubscribed – for China-based clinical-stage diabetes treatment developer Hua Medicine.
Asian LPs eye more alternatives – UBS
Large institutional Asian LPs are looking to boost allocations to alternative assets, including private equity, as they seek to diversify portfolios in response to economic volatility, according to UBS Asset Management.
Japan Post targets higher-yield assets
The new CEO of Japan Post Holdings has underlined his commitment to targeting riskier asset classes, including private equity and direct M&A opportunities. This comes as several local insurers are branching out into higher-return investments overseas...
Matrix co-founder leaves to start new firm
Rishi Navani, co-founder of Matrix Partners India, has left the GP to start a new investment practice, Epiq Capital.