News
Japan’s Wizpra raises $2m from VCs
A consortium of Japanese investors including Gree Ventures, Mobile Internet Capital, SMBC Venture Capital, and Mizuho Capital has invested JPY230 million ($1.9 million) in internet-based market research platform Wizpra.
CVC makes another partial exit from Matahari - report
CVC Capital Partners has reportedly reduced its stake in Indonesia’s Matahari Department Store from 14% to around 2% after making two separate sales.
China food-ordering platform Ele.me raises $350m
Ele.me, a Chinese online food-ordering platform, has received $350 million in a Series E round of funding from CITIC Private Equity and Sequoia Capital as well as strategic investors Tencent Holdings, JD.com and Dianping.
Sailing invests $100m in China cross-border e-commerce site
Sailing Capital, a PE firm backed by Shanghai International Group, has committed $100 million in Series B funding to Ymatou, an e-commerce site that connects global retailers to Chinese consumers.
Chinese local supermarket O2O player gets $100m
CITIC Private Equity, Fortune Capital, GP Capital and Zhejiang Zheshang Investment Management have invested $100 million in Huimin, a Chinese B2B and B2C e-commerce platform that focuses on small-scale supermarkets.
Quadria seals landmark Indonesia pharma deal
Southeast Asia-focused healthcare investor Quadria Capital, which is expected to close its latest fund in the next two months, has taken a minority stake in Indonesian drug manufacturer Soho Global Health.
Legend Capital leads $100m round for China’s Innovent Biologics
Legend Capital has led a Series C round of funding worth $100 million for Innovent Biologics, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company.
China’s Renren invests in US online broking platform
Chinese social networking platform Renren has committed $40 million to Motif Investing, a US-based online broking platform that has previously received funding from several venture capital investors.
Taiwan’s NDF commits $84m to VC funds
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) will invest up to $84 million into four venture capital funds as part of efforts to support local start-ups.
China Merchants invests $67m in United Photovoltaics
China Merchant Fund Management, an investment arm of China Merchants Bank, has subscribed to RMB420 million ($67 million) worth of convertible bonds issued by solar plant operator United Photovoltaics.
Singapore Exchange, Clearbridge form SME capital-raising platform
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has partnered with Clearbridge Accelerator to set up a capital-raising platform for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia.
Shenzhen Capital leads $16m round for China game review site
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a RMB100 million ($16 million) Series A round of funding for Mofang.com, a Chinese mobile gaming reviews site, with participation from Matrix Partners.
Kaizen backs India's Impartus Innovations
Education-focused Indian GP Kaizen Private Equity has made a $4.1 million Series A investment in video learning platform Impartus Innovations.
Singapore expands Block 71 tech start-up hub
Singapore start-up hub JTC LaunchPad @ one-north – better known to many as Block 71 – has been expanded to accommodate 500 companies and 35 incubators, with plans to create space for 250 more.
Frontier markets-focused classifieds platform receives $40m
Saltside Technologies, which operates online classifieds platforms in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana, has received a $40 million round of funding led by Chinese investor Hillhouse Capital.
Chinese radio mobile app raises $20m Series C round
Lizhi.FM, a Chinese radio broadcasting mobile app, has raised $20 million in a Series C round of funding from Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi and Shunwei Capital Partners.
IFC backs Vietnam's Pan Pacific Corp
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $6.5 million in Vietnamese agribusiness and food conglomerate Pan Pacific Corp. in exchange for a 5% stake.
Banyan closes second China VC fund at $362m
Banyan Capital, a China-focused VC firm that spun out from IDG Capital Partners, has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at $362 million.
India's Suzlon sells German unit to Centerbridge
Suzlon Energy, an India-headquartered wind-turbine manufacturer, has sold its German subsidiary - Senvion - to Centerbridge Partners in EUR1 billion ($1.16 billion) deal.
L Capital Asia invests $100m in China mall operator Sasseur
L Capital Asia, a PE firm sponsored by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has invested more than $100 million in a second round of funding for Sasseur Group, a Chinese outlet shopping mall developer.
CalPERS sees improvement in PE portfolio performance
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) saw an improvement in performance from its private equity portfolio in the year ended June 2014, although buoyant public markets led the strong short-term returns.
Blackstone exits India's Agile Electric for $106m
The Blackstone Group has agreed to sell its entire stake in Indian auto parts maker Agile Electric Sub Assembly to Japan's Igarashi Electric Works (IEW), and Indian boutique investment bank MAPE Advisory Group, in a $106.4 million deal.
Capital Today, New Horizon lead $100m round for Beibei
Capital Today and New Horizon Capital have led a $100 million Series C round for Beibei.com, a Chinese online discount retail platform for maternity and baby products. Existing investors Banyan Capital and IDG Capital Partners also participated.
Goldman leads $56m round for big data firm Antuit
Goldman Sachs has led a $56 million round of funding for Antuit, a Singapore-headquartered big data analytics start-up. Zodius Capital, which provided seed funding for the company in 2013, also participated.