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.
Hillhouse Leads ~USD77m Series A for Chinese AI Chatbox Developer Xiaoice
Hillhouse Capital led a CNY500m (~USD77m) Series A for Xiaoice, a China-based AI chatbox developer spun off from Microsoft, with participation from GGV Capital, IDG Capital, 5Y Capital, NetEase and Northern Light Venture Capital. Read More
Temasek and Falcon Edge Lead USD220m Investment in Indian Eyewear Retailer Lenskart
Temasek and Falcon Edge Capital led a USD220m investment in India-based eyewear retailer Lenskart at a reported USD2.5b valuation. The investment is part of a new round that saw KKR invest USD95m in the company in May 2021. Read More
T. Rowe Price Leads USD500m Series F for Colombian Delivery App Rappi
T. Rowe Price led a USD500m Series F for Colombia-based on-demand delivery startup Rappi, with participation from SoftBank, GIC, Baillie Gifford, Third Point and Octahedron, at a reported USD5.25b valuation. Read More
GIC Acquires Minority Stake in Brazilian Agtech Biotrop
GIC acquired a significant minority stake in Biotrop Soluções Biológicas, a Brazil-based high-tech biological agricultural inputs company, providing a partial exit for Aqua Capital. The transaction is subject to approval. Read More
Creador Partially Exits Malaysia’s CTOS Digital via ~USD287m IPO
Creador partially exited its interest in Malaysia-based credit reporting company CTOS Digital via the company’s MYR1.21b (~USD287m) IPO on Bursa Malaysia. Creador sold shares worth MYR792m (~USD188m) and now retains a 40% stake in the company. Read more here and h Read More
Mediterrania Capital Partners Invests in Morocco’s Dislog Industries
Mediterrania Capital Partners invested an undisclosed amount in Morocco-based FMCG manufacturer Dislog Industries through its MC III fund. Read More
General Atlantic Leads Series B for Mexican Digital Financial Services Platform Klar
General Atlantic led an undisclosed Series B for Klar, a Mexico-based personal finance management and lending platform, with follow-on from Prosus Ventures, Quona Capital, Mouro Capital, IFC and WTI. IFC and Prosus Ventures led the company’s USD15m Series A in 2020. Read More
BluePeak Invests USD16m in Tunisia Hygiene Products Company Sotupa
BluePeak Private Capital, through its BluePeak Private Capital Fund, invested USD16m in Tunisia-based disposable hygiene products company Sotupa. Read More
Atmos Ventures and ARIA Lead USD6.7m Series A for Polish Cybersecurity Startup Nethone
Atmos Ventures and ARIA led a USD6.7m Series A for Nethone, a Poland-based cybersecurity startup focused on preventing fraud in remote channels, with participation from Plug and Play Ventures and Firlej Kastory. Read More
Creador Reaches USD500m First Close for South & Southeast Asia Fund
Creador reached a USD500m first close for Creador V. The vehicle has an initial target size of USD600m and will invest in mid-cap businesses across the consumer, healthcare, financial services and business services spaces in South and Southeast Asia. Read More
KKR to Invest ~USD500m in Telefónica Colombia to Create First Open Access Fiber Optic Network
KKR agreed to invest ~USD500m in Telefónica Colombia, a subsidiary of Spain-based telecom group Telefónica, to create Colombia’s first nationwide open access fiber optic network. Read More
Alibaba, SAIC Motor, CMG-SDIC and YF Invest ~USD464m in China’s Banma
Existing shareholders Alibaba, SAIC Motor, CMG-SDIC Capital Management and Yunfeng Capital invested CNY3b (~USD464m) in China-based internet car solution provider Banma Information Technology. Read More