GPCA covers the latest fund, investment and industry news across our markets in two newsletters: NewsWatch is a weekly round-up of key transactions across asset classes; the Global Tech Brief is a bi-weekly review of tech transactions and innovations with cross-border applications. Subscribe in the left-hand sidebar.
Access past editions of NewsWatch here.
Helios Investment Partners to Acquire Crown Agents’ Banking (Pan-Emerging Markets)
Africa-focused private investment firm Helios Investment Partners has agreed to acquire a 100 percent stake in Crown Agents Bank (CAB) and Crown Agents Investment Management (CAIM) from international development company Crown Agents. CAB and CAIM are financial services providers focused on the needs of governments, development organizations, financial institutions and corporates, and provide services in Africa, the Caribbean and Southeast… Read More
The Carlyle Group Agrees to Sell Its Stake in Export Trading Group (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has agreed to sell its minority stake in Tanzania-based agriculture processing and logistics company Export Trading Group to the company’s management. Financial details of the transaction, which will be structured through Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund, were not disclosed. Read More
CVC Capital Partners to Acquire Poland-based PKP Energetyka (CEE and CIS)
Private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire PKP Energetyka (PKPE), the energy unit of the Polish National Railways, in a transaction that values the company at PLN2 billion (approximately US$520 million). PKPE is an electricity distributor to the Polish railway network and to other customers. The company also provides maintenance and emergency response services… Read More
Baring Vostok Capital Partners and Almaz Capital Participate in Round for CarPrice (CEE and CIS)
Russia and CIS-focused private equity firm Baring Vostok Capital Partners has led a US$40 million Series B investment in Russia-based online used car broker and auctioneer CarPrice. Venture capital firm Almaz Capital and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. Baring Vostok’s investment was structured through Baring Vostok Private Equity Fund V. CarPrice will use the investment to further… Read More
UVM 2 Venture Investments and Oak Investment Partners Participate in Round for Giosis (Asia)
Singapore-based Giosis, the parent company of e-commerce company Qoo10, has raised US$82.1 million in a Series A round led by media-focused holding company Singapore Press Holdings. Other participants in the round included venture capital firms UVM 2 Venture Investments and Oak Investment Partners, e-commerce company eBay, media-focused investment company Saban Capital Group and hedge fund manager Brookside Capital. Giosis will… Read More
Living Consumer Products Raises Pre-Series A Funding from IDG Ventures India (Asia)
India-based Living Consumer Products, operator of mobile dating app iCrushiFlush, has raised a pre-Series A round of funding from venture capital firm IDG Ventures India. The app matches its users based on their location and includes an in-app gifting service. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Bima Raises Funding from LeapFrog Investments, Kinnevik and Others (Pan-Emerging Markets)
Bima, a provider of mobile-delivered insurance in emerging markets, has raised US$38.4 million in Series C funding from existing shareholders, including emerging markets financial services investor LeapFrog Investments, Swedish investment firm Kinnevik, international telecommunications and media company Millicom, global telecommunications provider Digicel Group and individual investors. The fresh capital will be used for Bima’s expansion into new markets and scaling… Read More
Testin Raises Funds from Haiyin Capital, IDG Capital Partners and Banyan Capital (Asia)
China-focused venture capital firm Haiyin Capital has led a US$54.9 million Series B round in China-based mobile app testing company Testin. Venture capital firms IDG Capital Partners and Banyan Capital also participated in the round. Testin, which provides technology solutions for mobile app developers and game operators to test their products before launch, will use the fresh capital to develop… Read More
Investec Asset Management to Invest in IDM Group (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Africa-focused asset management firm Investec Asset Management has agreed to invest in South Africa-based consumer debt restructuring company Intelligent Debt Management (IDM Group). IDM Group helps clients manage, consolidate and restructure their debts, and provides financial education to consumers. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Warburg Pincus to Invest INR18 Billion in Piramal Realty (Asia)
Global private equity firm Warburg Pincus has agreed to invest INR18 billion (approximately US$284 million) for a minority stake in India-based real estate development company Piramal Realty. The capital raised will be used to expand Piramal Realty’s portfolio and acquire additional land in and around Mumbai. The company currently has more than 10 million square feet under development in the… Read More
Takura Capital to Invest US$33 Million in Zimbabwe-listed Cairns Holdings (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Southern Africa-focused private equity firm Takura Capital will invest US$33 million to acquire a controlling interest in Zimbabwe-listed fast moving consumer goods manufacturer Cairns Holdings. The majority of the new funds will be used to clear the company’s current debts, while additional funds will be used to recapitalize the company. The transaction is pending approval of Zimbabwe’s High Court, and… Read More
Clearwater Partially Exits Diamond Power Infrastructure via Share Sale (Asia)
Clearwater Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on credit and special situations in Asia, has partially exited its stake in India-based cable and conductor manufacturer Diamond Power Infrastructure. Clearwater sold a 2.03 percent stake in the company for INR50.3 million (approximately US$793,000) via open market transactions on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange between 30 March and 17… Read More