Author: Deal Street Asia Online News

India: NABARD to launch agri fund for startups and rural enterprises

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is all set to launch an agri fund for startups and rural enterprises with an initial corpus of Rs 750 crore (around $90 million). NABARD and India’s Ministry of Agriculture are set to pump in Rs 250 crore each, the remaining amount will come from other… Continue reading India: NABARD to launch agri fund for startups and rural enterprises

Activist investor Oasis sues top execs of Japan’s Kusuri No Aoki for governance lapses

Hong Kong-based activist investor Oasis Management said on Friday it filed a lawsuit against Japanese drugstore operator Kusuri No Aoki‘s president and vice president citing “serious governance failures”. It is the latest example of high-profile activist campaigning in Japan, a practice which is on the rise amid global investor interest in changing corporate governance and improved shareholder returns at Japanese firms. Oasis alleged in the lawsuit that Aoki issued… Continue reading Activist investor Oasis sues top execs of Japan’s Kusuri No Aoki for governance lapses

Australia’s competition regulator begins informal review of TPG Telecom-Optus deal

Australia’s competition watchdog has started an informal review of the network sharing deal between TPG Telecom and Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications, the regulator said on Friday. Under the deal signed in April, TPG would expand coverage to 2,444 mobile network sites in regional Australia, up from 755, and would gain access to Optus‘ regional 5G network as it is rolled out. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said that it is seeking views on… Continue reading Australia’s competition regulator begins informal review of TPG Telecom-Optus deal

SoftBank buys British AI chipmaker GraphcoreGraphcore was valued at $2.77b in end-2020.

Japan’s SoftBank Group has bought artificial intelligence chipmaker Graphcore for an undisclosed sum, ending long-running speculation over the company’s future. Once touted as a rival to Nvidia, which has seen its own valuation skyrocket thanks to soaring demand for AI computer chips, Britain’s Graphcore has struggled to secure the investment needed to compete. Valued at $2.77 billion… Continue reading SoftBank buys British AI chipmaker GraphcoreGraphcore was valued at $2.77b in end-2020.

Grab’s Trans-cab takeover raises competition concerns, says SG regulator

Singapore’s competition watchdog asked ride-hailing firm Grab and Trans-cab for solutions to address competition concerns following a deal last year to buy the taxi operator. Grab is one of the city-state’s top ride-hailing companies, with the deal for Trans-cab reported to be valued at around S$100 million ($74 million). The Competition & Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) said on… Continue reading Grab’s Trans-cab takeover raises competition concerns, says SG regulator

Brookfield buys majority stake in India’s Leap Green Energy for $200mBrookfield can infuse a further $350m of incremental equity capital.

Canada’s Brookfield has acquired a majority stake in Tamil Nadu-based renewable energy company Leap Green Energy for an investment of $200 million through a combination of subscription of new shares and acquisition of shares from current shareholders. Additionally, Brookfield can infuse a further $350 million of incremental equity capital to support the future growth of… Continue reading Brookfield buys majority stake in India’s Leap Green Energy for $200mBrookfield can infuse a further $350m of incremental equity capital.