News
Tencent to buy 15% stake in JD.com ahead of IPO
Tencent Holdings has agreed to take a 15% stake in JD.com, China’s second-largest B2C e-commerce platform - which is backed by several venture capital and private equity firms - for $214.7 million.
China’s Hainan Haiyao to invest $20m in pharma-focused JV
China’s Hainan Haiyao, a Shenzhen-listed drug maker and distributor, plans to invest RMB122 million ($20 million) in a pharma-focused joint venture with several venture capital firms.
INCJ invests $6m in copper paste business
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY600 million ($6 million) in Material Concept, a manufacturer of copper paste for use in electrical components and solar panels. Daiwa Corporate also invested an undisclosed amount in the...
Japan's Globis re-ups in UK educational app developer
Globis Capital Partners, the Japanese venture capital firm, has returned to lead a GBP3.4 million ($5.8 mllion) Series B round for Quipper, a UK company that develops educational mobile applications.
SBI education fund backs China's Tutor Group
TutorGroup, a China-based online education platform that recently raised $100 million in Series B funding, has added SBI Group as a strategic investor.
Warburg Pincus-backed Sunshine 100 raises $259m via HK IPO
Sunshine 100 China Holdings - a commercial and residential real estate developer backed by Warburg Pincus - has raised about HK$2 billion ($259 million) after pricing its Hong Kong IPO at the bottom of the indicative price range.
Blackbird set for $22m close on Australia VC fund
Australian VC firm Blackbird Ventures will reach a final close on its debut fund by the end of April with around A$25 million ($22.7 million) in capital commitments. There will be approximately 90 LPs, predominantly the founders of Australian tech start-ups...
Carlyle to invest $40.9m in India clothing brand Mufti - report
The Carlyle Group is to invest INR2.5 billion ($40.9 million) in Credo Brands Marketing, the company behind Indian casual wear brand Mufit.
South Korea looks to ease M&A rules for PE
South Korea is planning to relax restrictions concerning M&A transactions in a bid to encourage investment by private equity and strategic investors.
Australian LPs still struggling with co-investment - AVCJ Forum
Australian LPs are increasingly keen on direct investment for the most part alongside portfolio GPs but not all groups are able to build and retain the resources required to participate effectively.
Fosun VC leads $20m round for China education firm Uniquedu
Uniquedu, a China-based education company, has raised a $20 million Series A round of funding led by Fosun Venture Capital Investment.
Jiuding Capital reaches $150m first close on US dollar fund
China’s Jiuding Capital has reached a $150 million first close on its second US dollar-denominated vehicle. Investors include sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies from North America and Asia.
Gaorong Capital leads $48m round for China's Avazu
Avazu, a Shanghai-based digital advertising firm, has raised $48 million in a Series A round of funding led by Gaorong Capital. An undisclosed US-based internet-focused private equity fund and a consortium of internet companies also took part in the round.
David Lin leaves CITIC’s Goldstone for Primavera Capital
David Lin has left his post as managing director at CITIC Goldstone Investment - the direct investment arm of China’s CITIC Securities - to join Primavera Capital as managing director at its Beijing office.
Shareholders reject MSPEA-backed Yongye privatization
Shareholders have rejected a $339 million offer - supported by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) - to take US-listed Chinese animal and plant feed maker Yongye International private.
KKR expands energy & infrastructure team into Asia
KKR has further bolstered its energy and infrastructure presence in Asia, appointing Tony Schultz as managing director in Sydney and relocating Ash Upadhyaya -a director with KKR's energy and infrastructure team in the US - to Singapore.
Apollo, ICICI eye $750m close on India distress fund - report
ICICI Venture Funds Management, the private equity unit India's ICICI Bank, and US PE firm Apollo Global Management are expected to reach a $750 million final close a joint fund set up to focus on distress opportunities in India.
Australian super funds warn of regulatory impact on PE - AVCJ Forum
Australian superannuation funds that are not facing imminent payout deadlines remain committed to private equity, although managers say the more complex regulatory environment can hinder their approach to the asset class.
SoftBank Venture backs Thai video game firm Ini3 Digital
SoftBank Ventures Korea (SBVK), the corporate investment arm of the Japanese telecoms giant, has taken a 23% stake in Thai online video game operator Ini3 Digital. The financial terms were not dislosed.
PE-backed China iKang Healthcare files for $150m US IPO
IKang Healthcare Group - the Chinese healthcare services provider whose backers include Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Private, Goldman Sachs and NewQuest Asia - is planning to raise up to $150 million in an initial public offering on NASDAQ.
Warburg Pincus, HDFC buy fresh shares in Capital First
Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC) Capital First is raising INR1.78 billion via preferential allotment of shares to existing investors Warburg Pincus and HDFC Standard Life Insurance.
China ZJ Capital targets $50m co-investment VC fund
Zhijing Capital Management (ZJ Capital), a Shanghai-based early-stage VC firm, is seeking $50 million for its debut US dollar-denominated fund. The vehicle will make co-investments in Chinese start-ups.
DCM closes China VC Fund at $330m
Technology-focused venture capital firm DCM has closed its latest China-focused fund - DCM Ventures China Fund (DCM VII) - at $330 million, above the initial target of $250 million.
Carlyle to buy Tyco's Korea unit for $1.93b
The Carlyle Group has agreed to buy fire safety and security systems provider Tyco International’s South Korean business for $1.93 billion. According to AVCJ Research, it is the largest-ever buyout in Korea by a global private equity firm.