News
Australian LPs make for sophisticated co-investors - AVCJ Forum
Australian superannuation funds are more sophisticated co-investors than their US counterparts, but the ability of LPs across the industry to participate in these deals remains limited.
Pfingsten closes Fund V at $382m
Pfingsten Partners, a US-based GP with a presence in China and India that reflects its manufacturing-focused remit, has closed its fifth middle-market fund at $382 million, exceeding the target of $350 million.
Oaktree opens Australia office
Oaktree Capital Group has opened its first office in Australia, with Byron Beath, previously of Macquarie Bank, appointed to lead investment activities in the region.
Investec backs Australia fintech investor H2 Ventures
Investec has acquired a stake in Australia-based financial technology investor H2 Ventures. It is part of a broader collaboration that will see Investec contribute to H2’s accelerator and early-stage investment program.
Indian e-commerce site Hopscotch secures $13m
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin has led a $13 million Series C round of funding for a technological expansion of Hopscotch, an online retailer of baby and children’s products targeting Indian mothers.
INCJ leads $35m investment in Singapore's Astroscale
Singapore-based satellite services and space technology company Astroscale has secured up to $35 million in funding from VC investors including Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Jafco.
Cybernaut China hires ex-IBM executive, launches M&A fund
China-focused PE firm Cybernaut has hired Matt Wang, formerly a vice president at IBM, as president and announced the launch of a RMB60 billion ($9 billion) M&A fund.
Legend leads $30m round for China cloud services provider
Legend Capital has led a $30 million Series C round of funding for Haizhi, a China-based cloud computing service provider.
Riverside-backed MNX in Singapore bolt-on acquisition
The Riverside Company has completed the bolt-on acquisition of Singapore-based Aero Express Logistics (AEL) to its global transportation and logistics platform MNX Global Logistics.
CPPIB ups stake in India's Kotak Mahindra Bank
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has invested INR11.5 billion ($170 million) in India's Kotak Mahindra Bank, picking up a stake held by Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
KKR appoints Scott Bookmyer as Australia head
Scott Bookmyer, COO of KKR’s Asian operation, has been given the additional role of head of Australia. He will relocate from Hong Kong to Sydney and start work in July.
India budget promotes start-ups, boosts public investment
India's newest Union Budget will provide incentives to the country's entrepreneurs and a mixed bag of measures for the investment industry.
China cloud technology start-up Transwarp secures $24m
Transwarp Technology, a Chinese big-data technology developer, has raised a RMB155 million ($24 million) Series B round of funding from domestic investors including Shanghai Real Power Emerging Industry Funds and Shenzhen Capital Group.
CalPERS sells $127m stake in India's Axis Bank
California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has sold a stake in India’s Axis Bank worth about INR8.7 billion ($127 million) to Genesis Indian Investment Company.
Blue Sky-backed Alcidion lists in Australia
Blue Sky Alternative Investments-backed healthcare technology company Alcidion has listed in Australia with a A$2 million ($1.4 million) IPO priced at A$0.03 a share.
BanyanTree invests $9m in India's Safex Chemicals
BanyanTree Finance has invested INR600 million ($9 million) in New Delhi-based farming pesticides and agrochemicals manufacturer Safex Chemicals.
Telstra backs Monk's Hill Southeast Asia fund
Australia’s Telstra Ventures has made an LP commitment to Singapore-based Monk's Hill Ventures' debut Southeast Asia fund - which is targeting S$100 million ($80 million) - as part of an ongoing pivot to Asian venture capital.
China cross-border shopping platform gets $15m
California-based Chinese cross-border shopping platform 55Haitao has raised $15 million in Series A funding from JJ Capital, a VC arm of Chinese game developer JJ.
Eight Roads leads $8m round for Japan's Port
Eight Roads Ventures Japan has led a JPY900 million ($7.9 million) round of funding for Tokyo-based online content developer Port.
Shunwei leads round for China legal services platform
Shunwei Capital Partners has led a Series B round of funding for Kuaifawu.com, a Chinese legal services platform that targets at small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Wanda Media to raise $1.5b ahead of domestic listing
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group is seeking to raise RMB10 billion ($1.5 billion) from domestic investors for its film and TV production division – Wanda Media – ahead of a planned onshore listing.
Matrix leads $5m Series A for India's OfBusiness
Indian business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform OfBusiness has raised a $5 million Series A round led by Matrix Partners India.
Markus Ableitinger joins placement agent Pyramid
Markus Ableitinger, formerly an Asia-based managing director with Capital Dynamics, has joined placement agent Pyramid Private Equity Partners as an associate partner. He will continue to focus on Asia.
SAIF seeks $800m for China fund
SAIF Partners is targeting $800 million for its fifth Greater China fund, which will make growth investments in the technology, healthcare and cleantech sectors.