Japan’s fintech conglomerate SBI Holdings recently launched a digital innovation fund with a target of $75 million. The fund will be managed by SBI Ven Capital (SBIVC), the venture capital arm of SBI Holdings, with general partners including South Korea’s Kyobo Securities and NTUitive, the commercialisation arm of Nanyang Technological University. SBIVC was founded in… Continue reading SBI Ven Cap to invest in 12-16 startups with latest digital innovation fund
Author: Deal Street Asia Online News
China Digest: CPU developer HJ Micro snags $120m; PPIO raises $38m Series A …
HJ Micro, a Chinese developer of central processing units (CPUs), has raised 800 million yuan ($120.1 million) from lead investors including GL Ventures. Separately, distributed cloud computing startup PPIO has closed its Series A round at almost 250 million yuan ($37.6 million). CPU developer HJ Micro nets $120m HJ Micro, a Chinese developer of CPUs… Continue reading China Digest: CPU developer HJ Micro snags $120m; PPIO raises $38m Series A …
Moody’s downgrades SoftBank outlook to ‘negative’ citing tech slide, leverage
Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp had its credit outlook cut to “negative” from “stable” on Tuesday by ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service which cited a decline in the value of its portfolio and estimated the tech investor’s leverage had risen. SoftBank this month reported a record loss at its Vision Fund unit as tech valuations slid, with founder and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son promising to rein in investing activity… Continue reading Moody’s downgrades SoftBank outlook to ‘negative’ citing tech slide, leverage
Japan’s Chubu Elec to buy 20% stake in India’s OMC Power for $39m
Japan’s Chubu Electric Power Co Inc said on Tuesday it will spend up to 5 billion yen ($39 million) to buy a 20% stake in India’s rural renewable energy service company, OMC Power Private Ltd, through a third-party allotment of shares. OMC operates about 280 renewable energy plants to provide electricity for telecom companies, small and medium businesses and rural houses via mini-grids, using storage batteries, in the states of… Continue reading Japan’s Chubu Elec to buy 20% stake in India’s OMC Power for $39m
HK’s Gaw Capital Partners acquires residential assets in Japan
Hong Kong-headquartered real estate private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners has acquired Japanese residential assets in prime locations in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition was made through Gaw’s separately managed account held by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), according to an announcement. The transaction covers 21 assets in… Continue reading HK’s Gaw Capital Partners acquires residential assets in Japan
Valor Equity leads $20m funding in Synaptic and India deals worth $450m …
India, Gurugram-based Synaptic, an alternative data insights startup, on Tuesday announced that it has raised $20 million in its Series B funding round led by Valor Equity Partners. With the funding, Synaptic will continue to invest in product innovations, double down on its data science capabilities, partnerships with data vendors and expand its go-to-market teams… Continue reading Valor Equity leads $20m funding in Synaptic and India deals worth $450m …
Indian Shark Tank judge’s cosmetic brand SUGAR valued at $500m after raising fresh funding
Omnichannel beauty company SUGAR Cosmetics said it closed its $50 million Series D fundraise led by the Asia fund of consumer-focussed private equity firm L Catterton, at a time when Indian consumers are spending more on beauty and personal care products. SUGAR, which is popular amongst Gen Z and Millennial consumers who are increasingly making… Continue reading Indian Shark Tank judge’s cosmetic brand SUGAR valued at $500m after raising fresh funding
Navis Capital Partner backs Australian software consolidator Software Combined
Malaysia-headquartered private equity firm Navis Capital Partners has invested in Australian vertical market software consolidator Software Combined for an undisclosed amount, according to an announcement. Software Combined sources and acquires niche and B2B industry-specific software companies in Australia and New Zealand, providing the business owners with access to capital or liquidity options. The company scans… Continue reading Navis Capital Partner backs Australian software consolidator Software Combined
Asian insurer FWD delays $1b Hong Kong IPO amid volatile market
Asian insurer FWD Group has delayed its $1 billion Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) because of volatile financial markets, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter. FWD declined to comment. The sources could not be named as the information was not yet made public. FWD has a business presence in 10… Continue reading Asian insurer FWD delays $1b Hong Kong IPO amid volatile market
From baristas to inspectors, Singapore’s robot workforce plugs labour gaps
After struggling to find staff during the pandemic, businesses in Singapore have increasingly turned to deploy robots to help carry out a range of tasks, from surveying construction sites to scanning library bookshelves. The city-state relies on foreign workers, but their number fell by 235,700 between December 2019 and September 2021, according to the manpower… Continue reading From baristas to inspectors, Singapore’s robot workforce plugs labour gaps