News
Norway fund, Oaktree among anchors for China Cinda IPO
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and Oaktree Capital Management are two of 10 cornerstone investors that will cover up to 44% of China Cinda Asset Management Corp’s IPO. The company, originally set up to absorb non-performing loans (NPLs) from China’s...
Sungy Mobile stock closes up 19% after $78.5m US IPO
Sungy Mobile, a Chinese app developer backed by IDG Capital Partners, JAFCO, WI Harper and China Broadband Capital (CBC), saw its stock jump 19% on its first day of trading on NASDAQ to close at $13.35.
Japanese government launches 'Cool Japan Fund'
The Japanese government has launched a "Cool Japan Fund" which will invest up to JPY90 billion ($884 million) in cultural exports such as fashion, food and media.
AD Capital-owned Spring REIT to raise $229m in HK IPO
Spring REIT, a real estate investment trust owned by AD Capital, is looking to raise up to $229 million through a Hong Kong IPO. The REIT owns two office buildings in Beijing's China Central Place.
Sequoia backs China CRM platform Xiaoshouyi
Sequoia Capital has provided a Series A round of funding for Xiaoshouyi, a Chinese customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
Nissay, Globis, SMBC invest $3m in Japan's Itandi
Japanese VC investors Nissay Capital, Globis Capital and SMBC Ventures have committed JPY300 million ($2.9 million) to Itandi, an IT solutions provider to the real estate industry.
Phillip PE leads Series B round for Singapore’s Clozette
Phillip Private Equity has led a $3 million Series B round for Singapore-based fashion shopping network Clozette.co, with participation from existing backers Walden International and several angel investors.
Providence-owned Study Group buys Australian college
Study Group, an education services provider owned by Providence Equity Partners, has acquired ANU College from Australian National University. Financial details were not disclosed.
BNRI agrees tie-up with China resources advisory firm
Barclays’ global resources-focused PE platform, Barclays Natural Resource Investments (BNRI), has formed a strategic partnership with Beijing-based corporate advisory firm Ilex Partners to develop its business in mainland China.
PE-backed China Cinda to raise $2.5b in Hong Kong IPO - report
PE-backed China Cinda Asset Management Corp, one of four groups set up to absorb non-performing loans (NPLs) from the country’s Big Four state-owned banks, is expected to raise up to $2.5 billion in its Hong Kong IPO.
India’s VC-backed Qubecell acquired by mobile payments company Boku
Mobile billing aggregator Qubecell, which is backed by Kae Capital, Blume Ventures, Mumbai Angels and TA Ventures, has been acquired by San Francisco-based Boku.
DFJ consolidates China operations
Draper Fisher Jurvetson’s (DFJ) Shanghai office will close as the firm consolidates its operations in China. Existing portfolio companies will continue to receive support and Hope Chen remains a managing director responsible for overseeing China investments,...
ICG, Nomura set up Japan mezzanine fund
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), a global mezzanine specialist, and Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings have together launched a joint venture to manage a Japan-focused mezzanine fund. Each will the contribute JPY10 billion ($98 million).
VC-backed 500.com revises IPO pricing, targets $86.5m
VC-backed Chinese online sports lottery provider 500.com has increased the indicative price range for its US IPO, putting the company on course to raise up to $86.5 million.
Risa Partners exits drug store to Tsuruha Holdings for $99m
Risa Partners, a unit of NEC Capital, has exited its 56% stake in Japanese drug store operator Hearty Wants to strategic investor Tsuruha Holdings for JPY10.1 billion ($99 million).
Indonesian fashion site Berrybenka raises $5m Series B
Japan's Transcomos has led a $5 million Series B round of funding for Berrybenka, picking a more than 30% interest in the Indonesian fashion e-commerce start-up. Existing backer GREE Venture also participated.
Tencent an investor in Snapchat – report
Tencent reportedly made a minority investment in video messaging app Snapchat in June.
Indian T-shirt design crowd-sourcing platform gets VC funding
Mumbai-based online apparel retailer VoxPopClothing has raised $400,000 in funding from Blume Ventures and other unnamed investors.
Japanese pension funds must diversify - panel
Japan's public pension funds - which collectively manage more than JPY200 trillion ($2 trillion) in assets - should diversify into alternative assets, including private equity, and have greater independence to do so, according to an expert panel.
Virgin forms India JV with Cinema Capital Venture Fund
Richard Branson’s Virgin Produced media production company has entered into a partnership with Mumbai-based Cinema Capital Venture Fund and Tantrik Group, a media and entertainment asset management firm, to launch Virgin Produced India, which will develop,...
DCM, Bertelsmann commit $10m to China’s Ucloud
Ucloud, a Chinese cloud computing service provider, has received more than $10 million in Series A funding from DCM and Bertelsmann Asia Investments.
China to modify IPO approvals system
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) will move towards a registration-based system for IPOs in place of the current approval-based system. This is intended to make it easier for companies, especially smaller ones, to raise capital.
Gaw Capital acquires London property for Korean investors
Gaw Capital Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity real estate firm, has acquired Waterside House - an office building in London - on behalf of a pool of South Korean institutional investors.
Exhilway closes $200m mines and minerals fund, targets Indonesia
Exhilway Global, a US-based hedge fund and emerging markets private equity manager, has closed its maiden mines and minerals PE fund at $200 million. The vehicle will acquire and operate mines in alliance with local companies in Indonesia, as well as...