News
Jafco-backed EnBio raises $7.2m in Toyko IPO
EnBio, a Japanese soil decontamination business backed by Jafco, saw its stock open at JPY1311 - a 126% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading. The company, which listed the Mothers (market of the high-growth and emerging stocks)...
Kerogen makes Asia oil and gas play, eyes Fund II
Kerogen Capital has invested A$30 million ($27 million) in Twinza Oil, which has oil and gas interests in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. The energy-focused GP is also said to be preparing to launch its next fund later in the year.
Standard Chartered infra head Andrew Yee to leave Asia
Andrew Yee, global head of infrastructure for Standard Chartered Bank's principal finance division, is leaving the firm. The decision is said to be mutual and amicable, with Yee set to depart in July after which he will relocate to Europe with his family.
Alibaba, CBC invest $20m in China travel portal Byecity
Alibaba Group and China Broadband Capital (CBC) have committed $20 million in Series B funding for outbound travel platform Byecity.com.
Kinnevik leads $90m round for India's Quikr
Swedish early stage investor Investment AB Kinnevik has led a $90 million round of funding for Indian classifieds platform Quikr.
China’s E-House forms JV with Yunfeng, Sequoia, Sina
E-House, a Chinese real estate service agency, has formed a property-oriented financial services joint venture with internet firm Sina Corporation, Sequoia Capital China, and Yunfeng Capital.
Former Baidu COO David Zhu joins GGV Capital
David Zhu, former chief operating officer of Chinese internet giant Baidu, has joined GGV Capital as a partner.
Mayfield re-ups in India's Securens - report
US-based venture capital firm Mayfield is investing another $6 million in Indian online alarm systems provider Securens Systems.
L Capital buys majority stake in luxury restaurant operator
L Capital Asia, the private equity firm backed by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has bought a 51% stake in Ku Dé Ta Group, a restaurant and club operator with interests in Singapore and Thailand.
Alibaba to buy majority stake in Tencent, VC-invested ChinaVision
Alibaba Group has agreed to buy 60% of Hong Kong-listed ChinaVision Media Group - in which rival Tencent Holding and VC firm Sequoia Capital are current shareholders, for HK$6.24 billion ($804 million).
Female representation in Asian PE drops in 2013, still leads other markets
Asia-based private equity firms still have a higher proportion of women in high-level roles than their North American and European counterparts, although the average representation is down on the previous year, according to a study.
GREE, Transcosmos back Singapores's Luxola
Singapore-based online beauty store Luxola has raised $10 million in a Series B round of funding led by Japanese e-commerce services firm Transcosmos with existing backer Gree Ventures.
FidelisWorld invests in India sports management firm
FidelisWorld Asset Management (FAM) - an Indian GP focusing on sports, media and entertainment - has bought a significant minority stake in Technology Frontiers India (TFI), a Chennai-based sports management firm.
IDG joins $6m round for Finnish mobile game developer
Next Games, a Finnish mobile gaming developer, has raised $6 million Series A round co-led by IDG Ventures and existing investor Jari Ovaskainen, followed by China’s IDG Capital Partners and US VC firm Lowercase Capital.
PE-backed Prime Focus to acquire Dax
India's Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), a unit of PE-backed movie effects and entertainment company Prime Focus, is to acquire DAX, a developer of a cloud-based workflow software-as-a-service (SaaS) for the media industry, for $9.1 million.
Templeton reaches final close on fourth emerging markets fund
Franklin Templeton has reached a final close of more than $220 million on its latest emerging markets fund. The vehicle, which launched in March 2012 with a target of $300 million, has already made three investments.
Hony, TPG Growth invest in film studio
Hony Capital and TPG Growth, a middle market and growth equity investment arm of TPG Capital, have partnered with Hollywood producers Robert Simonds and Gigi Pritzker to set up a film studio.
CyberAgent leads $12m round for Korean food delivery app
Japan's CyberAgent Ventures has been joined by previous investors Altos Ventures, IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital for a $12 million investment in Woowa Bros, the start-up behind Korean food delivery app Baedalui Minjok.
GF Securities, Alpha Animation launch China media fund
GF Xinde Investment, an investment arm of Chinese broker GF Securities, has established a RMB100 million ($16 million) PE fund with Shenzhen-listed toy maker Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture. It will invest in internet and media companies.
INCJ-backed Japan Display IPO prices at bottom of range
Japan Display, the world's biggest maker of screens for tablets and smart phones, has priced its IPO at the bottom of indicative range following a lukewarm response from overseas investors.
Shenzhen Capital leads $10m round for wearables maker
Shenzhen Capital has led a RMB60 million ($10 million) Series B round of funding for Codoon, a Chinese manufacturer of wearable electronic devices, with participation from CITIC Capital.
Korean sovereign fund KIC appoints new CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has appointed Heung-Sik Choo, formerly director general at Bank of Korea’s reserve management group, as its new CIO. He replaces Dong-Ik Lee, who resigned in January.
TPG eyes quick return from Inghams property sale
TPG Capital is planning to sell a portfolio of real estate assets held by Inghams Enterprises that could more than cover the equity commitment it made when buying the Australian poultry producer last year.
Australia's CHAMP PE seeks London listing for Shelf Drilling
Shelf Drilling, a shallow water drilling services company set up by Australia’s CHAMP Private Equity in conjunction with its US affiliate Castle Harlan and Lime Rock Partners, plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in May.