News
Australia's PE Gateway Group backs messaging service
Australia-based Private Equity Gateway Group (PEGG) has invested in U&Me Communication, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s OM Technology that has developed a mobile messaging platform.
Vietnam's FPT launches venture capital arm
Vietnamese tech group FPT Corporation has launched FPT Ventures, its new venture capital and accelerator unit, which will manage a $3 million fund targeting seed and Series A stage investments.
Tiger Global commits $5m to India tea chain Chaayos
Chaayos, a Delhi-based chain of teahouses, has raised $5 million in Series A funding from Tiger Global. Ola co-founders Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati have also invested an undisclosed amount.
Gopher, Hillhouse back Huatai Securities' Hong Kong IPO
A fund managed by Gopher Asset Management, a unit of Chinese wealth management firm Noah Holdings, and Hillhouse Capital Management are among 13 cornerstone investors that have committed HK$14.7 million ($1.9 billion) to Huatai Securities’ Hong Kong IPO....
GGV closes $457m China top-up fund
GGV Capital has raised a $457 million top-up fund for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies.
Tiantu leads $29m round for online grocery platform FreshMart
China consumer-focused GP Tiantu Capital has led a RMB180 million ($29 million) funding round for Chinese online grocery service FreshMarket.
Rushan leads $16m round for China's EasyStack
Rushan Capital has led a $16 million Series B investment in EasyStack, a Chinese cloud-based software provider. YingDong Investment and existing investor BlueRun Ventures also took part in the round.
JFDI opens applications for next program, doubles investment
Singapore-based accelerator Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) has started taking applications for its next start-up program - which will be partly offered online - and has doubled the amount it is offering to successful applicants.
Future Consumer to exit salon chain, acquire MNS Foods
Indian venture capital firm Future Consumer Enterprise (FCEL) will exit its salon subsidiary Star & Sitara, and to acquire a controlling stake in confectioner MNS Foods.
Greenland to take controlling stake in KKR-backed Rundong Auto
China's Greenland Holding Group will buy a controlling stake in KKR-backed Chinese car dealership Rundong Auto for HKD1.55 billion ($200 million).
Mizuho, China Merchants launch $250m growth fund
Japan's Mizuho Securities and China Merchants Group (CMG) have launched China-focused growth equity fund, which is looking to raise a total $200-250 million. Mizuho has contributed $20 million to the vehicle.
China Renaissance unit Huaxing Capital targets $150m fundraise
Huaxing Capital, the principal investment division of boutique investment bank China Renaissance, has launched its latest fund with a target of $150 million.
Trustbridge, Foxconn, JD.com back Chinese tablet maker
Trustbridge Partners has led a RMB100 million ($16 million) Series A round of funding for Jide Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of tablets running the Android operating system (OS).
Japan Industrial Solutions backs beleaguered Sharp
Turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) has invested JPY25 billion ($208 million) in ailing electronics group Sharp as part of JPY225 billion bailout.
KKR bets on rising Chinese demand for premium chicken
KKR is betting that increasing the supply of safe, high quality chicken in China will stir nascent demand for the product – essentially following in the footsteps of the dairy industry and the PE firm’s previous investment in China Modern Dairy.
Ex-Macquarie Asia PE head Hugh Dyus joins Navis
Navis Capital Partners has appointed Hugh Dyus, who until last year was head of Asia private equity at Macquarie Funds Management, as a partner based in Hong Kong.
Alibaba, Yunfeng back China's YTO Express
Alibaba Group has teamed up with Yunfeng Capital to acquire a minority stake in Shanghai YTO Express, a Chinese logistics service provider. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Japanese e-payment service Paidy expands Series A to $8.3m
Arbor Ventures has led an additional $5 million round of funding for Exchange Corporation (ExCo), the Japanese start-up behind e-commerce payment and instant credit service Paidy.
Macquarie consortium to buy Australia telecom tower business
A consortium led by Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets (MIRA) has agreed to buy Crown Castle International’s Australia telecom towers business for A$2 billion ($1.6 billion) in cash.
Venture to benefit from Australia investor visa reforms
The Australian government has finalized changes to its significant investor visa (SIV) program, which will see more capital funneled into domestic venture capital.
Alibaba's Jack Ma leads investment in Hong Kong brokerage
A consortium led by Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, has acquired 81% of Hong Kong-listed brokerage Reorient Group.
Indian regulator approves Baring Asia's acquisition of CMS
Baring Private Equity Asia has received permission from India's Competition Commission to acquire ATM management service CMS Info Systems, providing an exit for The Blackstone Group.
CLSA backs Japanese food and beverage maker
CLSA Capital Partners have invested an undisclosed sum in Asamiya, a Japanese low-cost food and beverage (F&B) manufacturer.
Chinese face recognition start-up raises $25m
Face++, a Chinese producer of facial recognition software, has raised $25 million from unnamed investors as part of its Series B round.