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Translink, Vangoo Back Chinese Mobile Ad Platform with US$12 Million (Asia)
Silicon Valley-based Translink Capital and Japan’s Vangoo Investment Partners have led a US$12 million Series B round of fundraising for Chinese mobile-based advertising platform Adwo. The new funding will be used to expand the company’s operations, and to open offices in Hong Kong and Japan. This investment follows a US$1 million Series A round in the first half of 2011. Read More
MARG Karaikal Port Attracts Equity Investment of INR1.3 Billion (Asia)
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has purchased a minority stake in Karaikal Port Private Limited, a subsidiary of Indian infrastructure company MARG, for INR1.3 billion (approximately US$23 million) through both primary and secondary investments. The new capital will be used to expand the port’s capacity to 28 million metric tons per year from 21 million tons. Existing investors in Karaikal… Read More
ChrysCapital Sells over 9 Percent Stake in Balkrishna Industries for US$38 Million (Asia)
India-focused private equity firm ChrysCapital has exited the majority of its 9.59 percent stake in publicly-listed Balkrishna Industries. ChrysCapital sold over nine million shares in the manufacturer of off-highway tires for INR2.17 billion (approximately US$38 million). ChrysCapital originally acquired the stake in 2005. Read More
Just Dial Raises US$57 Million from Sequoia, SAP Ventures (Asia)
Global venture capital investors Sequoia Capital and SAP Ventures have invested INR3.27 billion (approximately US$57 million) in Just Dial, an Indian local search service that is available via web, phone or mobile internet. Sequoia Capital contributed INR3.05 billion (approximately US$53 million) to the latest financing round, representing its third investment in the company, while SAP Ventures invested INR220 million (approximately… Read More
Ares Makes Second Close on US$500 Million Asia Fund (Asia)
U.S.-based alternative asset manager Ares Management has held a second close on the Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund Asia with US$90 million in commitments. The fund is targeting US$500 million in total commitments. The private equity fund will be Ares’s first focused on Asia, where the firm has offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Read More
Cinven Invests in Pronet (CEE and CIS)
European private equity firm Cinven has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Pronet Güvenlik, a provider of security electronic alarm systems in Turkey. Cinven is purchasing its stake from Turkish private equity firm Turkven and the Dutch development bank FMO. The transaction, the financial details of which were not disclosed, is subject to… Read More
Milestone Backs China Restaurant Chain IPO (Asia)
Milestone Capital, a China-based growth capital fund manager, has agreed to become a cornerstone investor in Chinese restaurant chain Xiao Nan Guo’s Hong Kong IPO. Xiao Nan Guo, which has 57 branches across the country, specializes in Shanghai cuisine. The company is looking to sell 341.25 million shares at HKD1.50 (US$0.13) per share to raise HK$511.5 million (approximately US$65.9 million).… Read More
XSML Supports the Education Sector in Congo
Netherlands-based private equity fund manager XSML has invested in Le Palmier, an education institution operating three schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). XSML made the investment through its Central Africa SME Fund, which provides capital and managerial support to entrepreneurs in DRC and the Central African Republic. XSML’s investment will support the construction of a fourth school… Read More
OPIC Board Approves over US$600 Million in New Commitments to Private Equity (Pan-Emerging Markets)
The Board of Directors of U.S. development finance institution Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has approved over US$600 million in financing for private equity funds investing in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. OPIC’s recently announced commitments include: US$185 million for the Tacna and Panamerica solar power projects in Peru, to be developed by Conduit Capital Partners, an… Read More
ChinaEquity, Co-win Venture Participate in Wine9’s 2nd Round (Asia)
ChinaEquity Group and Shenzhen Co-win Venture Capital Investments have jointly made an investment in Wine9.com, an online wine retail company formerly known as Pinwine.cn. Wine9 will use the proceeds to establish warehouses across the countries to facilitate deliveries, and will enhance its IT system. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Online Rentals Site TravelRent Secures US$2 Million from Investment Fund Frontier Ventures (CEE and CIS)
TravelRent, a Russian online service for short-term apartment rentals, has raised US$2 million from Frontier Ventures, a Moscow-based venture capital fund focused on the Russian-speaking consumer internet industry. TravelRent plans to use the investment to strengthen its team and to develop new marketing programs to build brand awareness and increase online listings. Read More
KKR Hits First Close on Asia Fund II (Asia)
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) has reportedly reached a first close of US$3 billion for its second pan-Asian private equity fund. The fund, which is targeting total commitments of US$6 billion, will focus on consumer goods, manufacturing, healthcare and infrastructure projects and includes a US$1 billion target allocation to Southeast Asia. Separately, Indian aviation services provider Air Works announced… Read More