Official Record
Deal focus: Clearing up Southeast Asia’s currency chaos
Investors see opportunity in bringing a promising currency exchange-focused fintech model from Europe into Southeast Asia. Singapore-focused YouTrip is the region’s first mover in this niche
Deal focus: CDIB finds media consumption proxy
CDIB Capital is backing VHQ China to leverage the growing demand for visual effects in China's domestic movie and TV production industry
Deal focus: BlackBuck in it for the long haul
India's Blackbuck has gained traction with a digital platform that connects truckers with shippers. Achieving greater scale means convincing veteran fleet owners that the model can work for them
Deal focus: Chezhubang fills its tank
Chezhubang has found a way into China's fuel retail market with an app that helps drivers find the cheapest gas stations
Deal focus: Gaosi Education stresses its B2B credentials
As China's mainstream online tuition players battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of end users, Gaosi Education found a niche targeting the B2B market. It recently raised $140 million to accelerate expansion
Deal focus: Blackstone takes over EPL’s packaging empire
The Blackstone Group has agreed to buy an Indian packaging manufacturer that provides tubes for 40% of the world's toothpaste. The goal is to turn it into a true multinational
Deal focus: Efficiency by numbers
Chinese big data services provider MiningLamp Software has raised $298 million with a view to expanding into new verticals. The effort will leverage a strong foothold in police and surveillance work
Deal focus: Everstone revisits India’s hospitals
Everstone Group acquires Sahyadri Hospitals to serve as the seed asset for a planned national healthcare delivery strategy
Fund focus: Back on the map
The Longreach Group has leveraged rising appetite for exposure to Japan’s middle market with a $650 million close for its latest buyout fund. Increased global participation contributed to the result
Deal focus: Boomplay aspires to become Africa’s Spotify
Boomplay has leveraged demand for its Chinese parent's smart phones to become the leading music streaming platform in Africa. Maison Capital and Yunshi Capital were sufficiently impressed to back a $20 million Series A round
Deal focus: Airwallex plots Asia payments expansion
Airwallex recently became Australia's newest unicorn following a $100 million Series C round, but the company's growth is largely based on an understanding of Chinese demand. Regional expansion is now the priority
Deal focus: Carlyle backs Tokiwa’s global beauty push
Well-established as a manufacturer of choice for global cosmetics brands looking to tweak their products for the Japanese market, Tokiwa is now looking to go global. The Carlyle Group will provide assistance
Deal focus: China’s data-enabled Workday
By applying artificial intelligence to human resources management, China's IfChange claims to make recruitment and retention more efficient. The company is now pushing to expand its customer base and product coverage
Deal focus: Guochen looks to the future
Chinese industrial robotics developer and incubator Guochen raises $15 million in Series A funding to continue pushing China's robotics industry to greater heights
Fund focus: Hostplus’ diversification drive
Australia's Hostplus partners with Natixis-backed Flexstone Partners for an investment program focused on backing middle-market US managers
Deal focus: InstaRem bids for the big time
Vertex Ventures leads a $41 million investment in Singapore's InstaRem to grow its global digital payments infrastructure
Deal focus: CLSA teams up with ‘Chanel for children’
CLSA Capital Partners goes niche in Japan’s retail space with the acquisition of premium toymaker Bloom Group. A range of strategic and operational value-add measures are on the table
Deal focus: Mofang pursues quality and scale
Mofang raises $150 million to bring consistency to China’s fragmented rental housing market. Leveraging big data and targeting millennials are key strategies
Book review: Weijian Shan's Out of the Gobi
Weijian Shan’s memoir ends before his private equity career begins, but it represents a remarkable on-the-ground account of a difficult period in the 20th century evolution of China
Deal focus: 90 Seconds simplifies complex video variables
Singapore-based 90 Seconds raises $20 million to expand its online video production networking marketplace
Deal focus: Google offers AI expertise to Elsa
Google brings technological expertise as well as financial backing to its investment in Vietnam-based English education provider Elsa
Deal focus: Patience pays off for True North
True North realizes a two-year goal with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Indian health insurance provider Max Bupa
Deal focus: Lalamove brings the Uber effect to logistics
Hong Kong-based online logistics platform Lalamove raises a $300 million Series D round to pursue expansion in Southeast Asia and India
Deal focus: Zilingo builds full-service fashion platform
Zilingo has secured $226 million in Series D funding to take its end-to-end online retail service to more small-scale fashion merchants across Southeast Asia