News
J-Star backs Japan medical insurer
Japanese mid-market GP J-Star has invested an undisclosed sum in Nihon Hoken Service (NHS), a Tokyo-based insurance agency and insurance solicitation business.
Taiwan launches $120m Silicon Valley VC fund
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) have agreed to form $120 million VC fund that will invest in Silicon Valley tech start-ups.
SoftBank commits $1b to Korea e-commerce player Coupang
Japan’s SoftBank Corp. has added another Asian e-commerce brand to its portfolio with a $1 billion commitment to South Korea-based Coupang.
China's VC-backed Taomee receives take-private proposal
An investment arm of Chinese brokerage Orient Securities has teamed up with the CEO and president of children's entertainment group Taomee Holdings, and submitted a take-private offer for the US-listed company.
CBC leads $15m round for China public transport app
China Broadband Capital (CBC) has led a $15 million Series B round of funding for Chelaile, a Chinese public bus tracking app.
Focus Media set for $7b reverse merger in Shenzhen - update
Shenzhen-listed Jiangsu Hongda New Material will acquire Chinese outdoor advertising business Focus Media, which was taken private two years ago by a consortium of PE investors and company management, for RMB45.7 billion ($7.37 billion), paving the way...
Sequoia leads $15m Series B for Chinese food platform Mishi
Sequoia Capital has provided $15 million in Series B funding to Mishi, a Chinese app that aggregates private kitchens. Neil Shen, Sequoia’s managing partner, compared the business to a “gourmet version of Airbnb.”
India's Veeba Foods raises $6m from Saama Capital
Saama Capital has led a $6 million round for Indian specialty food ingredients maker Veeba Food Services. Existing investor DSG Consumer Partners also took part.
China's Wanda Cinema Line confirms Hoyts acquisition
Wanda Cinema Line Corp, a subsidiary of Chinese property developer Dalian Wanda Group, has confirmed the acquisition of Australian cinema operator Hoyts Group from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP).
WI Harper, ITIC lead $4m Series A for Taiwan's HWTrek
Taiwan business networking startup HWTrek has raised a $4 million Series A round led by WI Harper and the Industrial Technology Investment Corporation (ITIC), with participation from Legend Star Capital, JD.com, and Global Brain.
Aspada commits $3.3m to India agri-tech business
Asapada Investment - an India-based investor backed by the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) - has injected INR200 million ($3.3 million) into Dehli-based EM3 AgriServices.
Silver Lake leads $500m investment in China's Qunar
Silver Lake has invested $330 million in Qunar, a US-listed Chinese travel-booking platform controlled by Baidu, as part of a $500 million strategic investment. This comes after the company rejected a buyout offer from industry peer Ctrip.
China GPs highlight role of local partners in cross-border deals
China-based private equity investors are bullish about the prospect of bringing overseas technologies and brands into the domestic market, but securing competent local partners is key to capitalizing on these opportunities.
Advantage exits GTA TeleGuam to Indonesian trade buyer
Japan's Advantage Partners has exited GTA TeleGuam - the former state-owned telephone company based on the island of Guam - to Telkom Indonesia. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed.
Mandarin, Zoomlion to buy Italian water treatment firm
Mandarin Capital Management (MCP) has teamed up with Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology to acquire a 75% stake in Ladurner, an Italy-based waste treatment and environment firm, for EUR75 million ($82 million).
CyberAgent Ventures launches $50m Southeast Asia fund
Japan's CyberAgent Ventures (CAV) - the corporate venture arm of the eponymous Japanese internet firm - has launched a $50 million fund focusing on Southeast Asia start-ups.
China tour-booking site raises $80m Series E round
Chinese tour-booking site Lvmama has raised a Series E round worth RMB500 million ($80 million) from Jianjiang International Group.
US listing costs tipped to create more China take-private opportunities
A new wave of take-private deals could be on the way as Chinese companies, frustrated with the cost of remaining listed in the US, consider uprooting and returning to their home country.
Head of CIC's Central Huijin unit quits
Zhichun Xie, executive director and president of Central Huijin Investment, a unit of China Investment Corporation (CIC), is leaving after one year with the firm.
Quadrant buys Australia's VIP Petfoods for $313m
Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to acquire Australia-based VIP Petfoods, the world’s largest producer of fresh chilled pet food, for A$410 million ($313 million).
FountainVest, CMC-backed IMAX China files for HK IPO
The China business of movie theater operator IMAX, in which FountainVest Partners and CMC Capital Partners acquired a 20% stake just over a year ago, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
China's NSSF posts 11.7% investment return for 2014
China’s National Council for Social Security Fund (NSSF) generated an investment return of 11.69% in 2014, up from 6.2% the previous year.
China luxury e-commerce site gets $30m Series C round
Pacific Venture Partners has led a $30 million Series C round of funding for Xiu.com, a China-based luxury brand e-commerce platform.
Temasek's India NBFC to provide home financing
Fullerton India Credit Company (FICC), the Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC) owned by Singapore's Temasek Holdings, will set up a new unit offering home financing in the affordable housing segment.