News
AMP buys Australia schools project from RBS
AMP Capital will acquire a 100% interest in a portfolio of school buildings in Melbourne from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The purchase is being made via the AMP Capital Community Infrastructure Fund, which invests in public-private partnership-style...
PE-backed Jintian Pharmaceutical eyes $273m HK IPO
Jintian Pharmaceutical Group, a Chinese pharmaceutical retailer and distributor backed by CVC Capital Partners and SEAVI Advent Private Equity, is seeking to raise as much as $273 million through an IPO in Hong Kong.
Temasek buys stake in India's Eros International
Temasek Holdings has made its first foray into India's Bollywood movie industry as Fullerton Fund Management - a unit of the Singapore sovereign fund - acquired a stake in local film distributor Eros International.
AVCJ journalists win awards
Asian Venture Capital Journal was honored at the 2013 State Street Institutional Press Awards, Asia Pacific, winning two categories outright and receiving highly commended citations in two more.
More than 50 Chinese PE firms suspected of illegal fundraising
More than 50 Chinese private equity firms are suspected of illegal fundraising activity, according to the head of a taskforce charged with tracking down offenders. A total of RMB16 billion ($2.6 billion) and more than 100,000 people are thought to be...
India’s Girnar Software raises $15m from Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital has invested $15 million in a first round of funding for Girnar Software, which owns the automotive marketplace Cardekho.com. The funds will be used to support the marketplace's expansion plans.
KKR to invest $200m in Indian drug maker Gland Pharma
KKR has agreed to buy a minority stake in Gland Pharma, an Indian injectable drugs manufacturer, for approximately $200 million. The investment facilitates the exit of Invascent Capital's Evolvence India Life Sciences Fund (EILSF).
Blackstone, Carlyle to bid for Transpacific waste unit - report
The Blackstone Group and The Carlyle Group are said to be among suitors for Transpacific Industries Group's New Zealand waste management unit, with first round bids expected by December 6. Japan's Orix Corp. and New Zealand infrastructure investor Infratil...
Espirito Santo, Dabur's Burmans plan to launch PE fund
The investment bank arm of Portuguese financial group Espirito Santo plans to a launch a private equity fund in partnership with the Burman family - the promoters of Indian healthcare and food company Dabur Group - to invest in medium and small-cap companies.
US retailer Target to launch India accelerator
Target plans to launch a corporate incubator in Bangalore in January 2014. The Target Accelerator Program will give Indian start-ups specializing in big data, content aggregation, mobility and search up to $30,000 in funding.
INCJ commits $100m to Global Brain Fund V
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will commit up to JPY10 billion ($98.7 million) to Global Brain No.5 Investment Limited Partnership, the latest vehicle launched by IT-focused VC Global Brain Corporation (GBC).
Sequoia leads $25m round for China online takeout service
Sequoia Capital China has led a $25 million Series C round of funding for ele.me, a Chinese food ordering service. This latest round - which also includes existing backer Matrix Partners - values the company approximately $100 million.
Blackstone Real Estate Partners to exit Synergy Property
The Blackstone Group’s Real Estate Partners unit is in the process of exiting its 35% stake in Bangalore-based project management consultancy Synergy Property Development Services in a deal valued at INR2.6 billion ($41.7 million)
Hitachi acquires Sequoia-backed Prizm
Hitachi will acquire all issued equity of India’s Prizm Payment Services from Sequoia Capital, Axis Bank and other shareholders. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Chinese insurers’ PE investment scope to further relax - CIRC
China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), the Chinese insurers’ regulator, is looking to raise the cap on industry players’ exposure to private equity to 20%-30% of total assets.
Northern Light backs Chinese analytics provider TalkingData
Northern Light Venture Capital has provided $10 million in Series A funding to TalkingData, a Chinese mobile data analytics provider. The company plans to use the new capital to enhance its product offerings in mobile gaming, advertising, e-commerce and...
Australia’s Ansell buys PE-backed glove maker for $615m
US-based Odyssey Investment Partners has agreed to sell BarrierSafe Solutions International, a provider of disposable gloves, to Ansell for approximately $615 million.
Kingsoft receives $50m from Morningside, GGV, Shunwei
Kingsoft Office Software, an office suite that competes with Microsoft Office, has received $50 million in commitments from Morningside Technologies, GGV Capital and Shunwei China Internet Fund.
China's 500.com jumps 54% on NYSE debut
Shares in VC-backed 500.com gained 54% as the Chinese online sports lottery provider made its US trading debut on Friday. The stock peaked at $21.85 before closing at $20.01, valuing the company at $700 million.
Baring Asia backs $2.8b Giant Interactive take-private
Baring Private Equity Asia is supporting a management buyout of Chinese online game developer Giant Interactive Group that values the New York Stock Exchange-listed company at approximately $2.8 billion. If the deal goes through it would be the second-largest...
CBC, Sichuan Changhong to launch $41m internet fund
China Broadband Capital Partners (CBC) and Sichuan Changhong Electric, a Chinese electric goods maker, plan to launch a RMB250 million ($41 million) venture fund to invest in the cloud computing, big data, smart phone and internet industries.
KKR-owned Bis Industries acquires Powertrans for $27m
KKR-held Australian mining logistics company Bis Industries is to acquire mining haulage systems operator Powertrans for A$30 million ($27.46 million).
JAFCO-backed ZIGExN raises $58m in Tokyo IPO
ZIGExN, a JAFCO portfolio company that runs network of search engine websites, saw its stock more than double to JPY1750 on its first day of trading following a JPY5.8 billion ($58 million) Tokyo IPO.
Oaktree, China Cinda form distressed assets JV
Oaktree Capital Group has entered into a joint venture with China Cinda Asset Management Corp. that will see the two groups invest in distressed assets in China. Cinda was originally set up to absorb non-performing loans (NPLs) from China’s Big Four...