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.
CVC Capital Partners Completes an Investment in Restaurant Chain South Beauty (Asia)
Private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners has completed an investment in China-based restaurant chain South Beauty Investment Company. After obtaining approval from relevant regulatory authorities, CVC is now the major shareholder of the company. CVC’s investment will help South Beauty drive greater economies of scale and increase operational efficiency, supporting management in areas such as upgrading their… Read More
ARIF Fund to Invest in 120 MW Wind Project in Morocco (MENA)
Infra Invest, a management company for investment funds specializing in infrastructure projects in Africa and a subsidiary of asset manager RMA Capital, has reached an agreement with UPC North Africa Renewables, part of wind energy project developer and operator the UPC Group, to acquire a 25 percent ownership position in the 120 MW Jbel-Sendouq (Khalladi) wind farm near Tangiers, Morocco.… Read More
Mekong Capital and CDH Partially Exit Mobile World (Asia)
Vietnam-focused private equity firm Mekong Capital, structured through Mekong Enterprise Fund II, has sold 5.6 million shares of Vietnam-based mobile device retailer MobileWorld Investment Corporation (Mobile World) at VND85,000 (approximately US$4) per share, equivalent to nine percent of the company’s issued shares, in a pre-listing share placement for a total consideration of VND480.2 billion (approximately US$22.8 million). Including dividends, this… Read More
Actis Establishes Credit Services Holdings, Invests in Biscuit Brand Jiashili Food Group (Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa)
Pan-emerging markets private equity firm Actis has established Credit Services Holdings (CSH), a buy-and-build credit services business, and plans to invest US$100 million in the platform. CSH’s first investment will be acquiring 100 percent of South Africa-based credit bureau Compuscan. The investment will take place alongside the Compuscan management team. Separately, Actis has invested in China-based biscuit brand Jiashili Food… Read More
UFG Private Equity Invests in Santens Service Logistics Group (CEE and CIS)
UFG Private Equity, the buyout and growth capital arm of Russia-based alternative investment group UFG Asset Management, has acquired a minority stake in Russia-based pharmaceutical logistics firm Santens Service Logistics Group. The transaction was structured through UFG Private Equity Fund II. UFG plans on investing more than US$30 million in Santens over the course of its next growth cycle, and… Read More
DLM Invista Acquires a 35 Percent Stake in Clic Holding (Latin America)
Private equity firm DLM Invista has purchased a 35 percent stake in Brazil-based travel technology group Clic Holding, the parent of three companies, Argo IT, Travel Explorer and Connect-c, which provide software and services to travel agencies. Clic Holding intends to use the fresh funding to reinforce the domestic operations of the three companies and expand their Latin American presence.… Read More
CITIC Capital and Sonae Sierra to Form China-based Joint Venture (Asia)
Alternative investment management and advisory firm CITIC Capital and international shopping center manager Sonae Sierra have launched a joint venture to provide property management and leasing services to shopping centers in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, the joint venture will focus on enhancing the experience at shopping centers. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Matrix Partners Closes Third China-focused Fund with US$350 Million in Commitments (Asia)
Venture capital firm Matrix Partners has closed its latest China-focused fund, Matrix Partners China III, with US$350 million in capital commitments. The firm targets companies in the technology, media, and telecommunications and healthcare sectors. Read More
IDG Ventures and Vertex Lead an INR1.4 Billion Financing Round in Yatra.com (Asia)
Venture capital firm IDG Ventures India and Vertex Venture Holdings, the venture investment arm of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek, have led an INR1.4 billion (approximately US$23.1 million) financing round in India-based online travel company Yatra.com. Existing investors venture capital firm Norwest Venture Partners, Intel Corporation’s venture capital arm Intel Capital, media company TV18 Group and Reliance Group’s corporate venture… Read More
The Abraaj Group Invests in Chocolate Confectionery Manufacturer Kool Food (MENA)
Global growth markets investor The Abraaj Group has acquired a stake in Kool Food, a Morocco-based chocolate confectionery manufacturer. Kool Food specializes in developing, producing and selling chocolate confections and powder drinks, as well as other sweet and salted food products under its own brand. The investment will be used to consolidate Kool Food’s market position in Morocco and for… Read More
The Carlyle Group Closes Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund at US$698 Million (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has reached a final close on its Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund (CSSAF) with US$698 million in capital commitments, surpassing its initial target of US$500 million. CSSAF will focus on investment opportunities linked to the growth of the emerging middle class across Sub-Saharan Africa, in sectors that include consumer, logistics, financial services and telecommunications.… Read More
AVentures Capital Participates in a Series A Financing Round for Augmented Pixels (CEE and CIS)
Ukraine and Russia-focused venture capital firm AVentures Capital and Torben Maygaard, founder of outsourcing company Ciklum, have participated in a Series A financing round for Ukraine-based augmented reality technology developer Augmented Pixels. Previously, the company received a seed investment from AVentures Capital in February 2013 for an estimated US$1 million and a 25 percent stake. Augmented Pixels offers products including… Read More