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ImpressPages Raises EUR200,000 from Practica Capital (CEE and CIS)
Lithuania-focused venture capital firm Practica Capital has invested EUR200,000 (approximately US$257,000) in ImpressPages, a Lithuanian software developer. ImpressPages, creator of an open-source, drag-and-drop online content management system, intends to use the additional capital to grow its number of product users and to develop its ImpressPages Marketplace, where developers of ImpressPages plug-ins can sell their products. Read More
LJ International Announces Shareholders’ Approval of Take-Private Transaction (Asia)
Hong Kong-based LJ International, a leading colored gemstone and diamond jeweler with retail and wholesale businesses, has announced its shareholders’ approval of a proposed management buyout by China-focused private equity firm FountainVest. Upon completion of the transaction, LJ International will be delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market and owned by a consortium of investors including FountainVest and LJ International’s Chairman… Read More
CVCI Invests INR3.4 Billion in Engineering Firm (Asia)
International middle-market private equity firm Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI Private Equity) has invested INR3.4 billion (approximately US$55.8 million) in India-based engineering company Sansera Engineering. The company, which operates seven manufacturing and machining plants across four Indian states, intends to use the funds for further business expansion. Read More
Baring Private Equity Asia Set for Korea Logistics Buyout (Asia)
Asia-focused private equity firm Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has agreed to buy South Korean courier services provider Logen Logistics from Mirae Asset Private Equity, an international asset management firm, for roughly KRW160 billion (approximately US$139 million). The transaction will be structured through BPEA Fund V. Mirae Asset Private Equity acquired a 100 percent stake in Logen Logistics for KRW80… Read More
KKR Reaches Final Close on Asian II Fund (Asia)
Global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts (KKR) has announced the final close of its Asian II Fund at US$6 billion. The new fund will target local industries such as consumer, retail, healthcare and education that can take advantage of an increase in Asia’s domestic consumption. Read More
PLUSS Polymers Raises INR150 Million from Tata Capital Innovations Fund (Asia)
Tata Capital, the private equity arm of India’s Tata Group, has invested INR150 million (approximately US$2.5 million) in India-based PLUSS Polymers, a chemicals and polymers research and manufacturing company. The transaction was structured through Tata Capital Innovations Fund. PLUSS Polymers intends to use the new financing to further the company’s research, development and manufacturing initiatives. Read More
Confrapar’s NascenTI Invests in School Cafeteria Software Developer Easy Food (Latin America)
Brazil-focused technology investor Confrapar will invest over US$1 million in Easy Food, a local software developer for school cafeterias. The transaction will be structured through NascenTI, Confrapar’s funding arm dedicated to projects based in Rio de Janeiro. With the new capital injection, Easy Food intends to expand its sales team and commercial scope, with a goal of reaching 500,000 students… Read More
212 Capital Partners Invests in CloudArena, Evim.net (CEE and CIS)
Turkey-based hospitality cloud software startup CloudArena has raised US$1.5 million in an early stage funding round from seed and venture capital investors Aslanoba Capital and 212 Capital Partners. CloudArena intends to use the additional financing to digitize accommodations and travel agencies worldwide. Separately, 212 Capital Partners has also participated in a US$5 million Series A round investment in Evim.net, a… Read More
Latin Idea Mexico Venture Capital Fund III Invests in Digital Animation Company Anima Estudios (Latin America)
Latin Idea Ventures, a Mexico-based private equity fund manager, announced that it has invested in Anima Estudios, a Latin American animation studio. Anima Estudios is currently working on several film projects, including “El Agente 00-P2” and “Kung Fu Magoo.” The investment was structured through Latin Idea Mexico Venture Capital Fund III. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Actis Exits a 70 Percent Stake in Vesta (Asia)
Pan-emerging markets private equity firm Actis has sold its 70 percent stake in Vesta, a Chinese commercial kitchen equipment maker, to Illinois Tool Works, a U.S.-based developer and processor of engineered components, industrial systems and consumables. Vesta designs and makes Western style mid-range commercial kitchen equipment in China. Actis originally invested in May 2011; financial details of the transaction were… Read More
Gulf Capital Completes 100 Percent Acquisition in Regional Specialty Food Company Chef Middle East (MENA)
Gulf Capital, a United Arab Emirates-based alternative investment firm, has acquired a 100 percent stake in Chef Middle East, an importer and distributor of high-end, specialty and fine food products, from United Arab Emirates-based Vintage Holdings. Chef Middle East serves more than 1,000 customers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
India Value Fund Advisors to Invest US$40 Million in Spice Company VKL Seasoning (Asia)
India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA), which focuses on investing in mid-sized businesses, is investing US$40 million in Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL Seasoning), an India-based processor of spices and spice ingredients. The deal, which involves both a primary capital infusion and a secondary share sale, marks an exit for Ascent India Fund, managed by Ascent Capital Advisors. Read More