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Blackstone Reaches US$2.3 Billion Final Close for First Asia Fund, Exits Intelenet (Asia)
Global alternative asset manager The Blackstone Group has reached a final close for its first Asia-focused buyout fund, Blackstone Capital Partners Asia, with approximately US$2.3 billion in capital commitments. Washington State Investment Board and Korea-based Woori Bank reportedly committed US$200 million and US$73 million, respectively, prior to the fund’s US$1.5 billion first close in January. Other investors in the fund… Read More
Fajr Capital Exits National Petroleum Services (MENA)
Middle East- and Asia-focused private equity firm Fajr Capital has completed its exit of United Arab Emirates-based oilfield services provider National Petroleum Services (NPS) to U.S.-listed special-purpose acquisition company National Energy Services Reunited (NESR). Fajr signed a definitive agreement with NESR in November to sell its stake in NPS. All closing conditions and regulatory approvals have since been met and… Read More
Sequoia Capital Leads US$400 Million Round for Bitmain Technologies (Asia)
Global venture capital firm Sequoia Capital has reportedly led a US$400 million funding round for China-based blockchain hardware developer Bitmain Technologies. The company develops and sells bitcoin mining machines and has offices in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Qingdao, Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Bitmain plans to use the new funding to prepare for an initial public offering on the Hong… Read More
H.I.G. Capital Invests in Grupo Meridional (Latin America)
Global private equity, debt and real estate fund manager H.I.G. Capital has invested in Brazil-based hospital network Grupo Meridional. The company, which operates five health care facilities in the state of Espírito Santo, plans to use the funding to expand its services through both organic and inorganic growth. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
ACON Investments and Humus Capital Partners Invest in Biosidus (Latin America)
Latin America-focused private equity firms ACON Investments and Humus Capital Partners have acquired a majority stake in Biosidus and Biosidus Farma, an Argentina-based manufacturer and distributor of biosimilar pharmaceuticals. ACON invested through ACON Latin America Opportunities Fund IV. Biosidus exports to more than 25 countries across four continents. The company plans to use the new capital to continue its international… Read More
Dragon Capital Invests in Viet Capital Securities, Partially Exits Military Bank (Asia)
Vietnam-focused asset manager Dragon Capital has acquired one million shares in Vietnam-listed Viet Capital Securities for VND85.2 billion (approximately US$4 million), increasing its stake to 9.06 percent. Separately, Dragon Capital reportedly sold 350,000 shares of Vietnam-listed Military Bank for VND10.7 billion (approximately US$470,000), reducing its stake from 6.01 percent to 5.99 percent. The sale was completed by Dragon Capital’s Vietnam… Read More
KKR to Acquire Unilever Indonesia Spreads Business for US$208 Million (Asia)
Global investment manager KKR has agreed to acquire a 56.52 percent stake in Indonesia-listed subsidiary Unilever Indonesia’s food spreads business for IDR2.92 trillion (approximately US$208 million). The deal forms part of KKR’s bid to acquire Unilever’s global spreads unit. Through the transaction, KKR will procure Unilever Indonesia’s global and domestic trademarks, as well as its butter and margarine production assets,… Read More
Chezhibao Raises US$125 Million Series D Round From Green Harbor, PAG and Others (Asia)
China-focused private equity firm Green Harbor Investment has led a CNY800 million (approximately US$125 million) Series D round for China-based used-car auction platform Jiangsu Chezhibao Information Technology. Existing investors PAG, Addor Capital and Gobi Partners also participated in the round. The company plans to use the new capital to expand its network of offline service centers and to continue to… Read More
Oriens Fund II Reaches US$82 Million Final Close (CEE and CIS)
Central and Eastern Europe-focused private equity fund manager Oriens Investment Management has reached a final close for its second fund with EUR70 million (approximately US$82 million) in capital commitments. U.S.-based limited partners, including insurance companies, family offices, foundations and a fund of funds, contributed EUR50 million (approximately US$58 million) to the fund while investors from the Netherlands and Hungary provided… Read More
MSPEA Partially Exits Hyundai Rotem for US$229 Million (Asia)
Asia Pacific-focused private equity investor Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has partially exited South Korea-listed train maker Hyundai Rotem for KRW245 billion (approximately US$229 million), selling 7 million shares at KRW35,075 (approximately US$33) per share through a block trade on the Korea Exchange. MSPEA originally acquired a 42.36 percent stake in Hyundai Rotem for KRW203.8 billion (approximately US$198 million)… Read More
SoftBank to Exit Arm China to Hou An Innovation Fund-led Consortium for US$775 Million (Asia)
U.K.-based semiconductor company Arm Holdings, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group, has agreed to sell a 51 percent stake in its Chinese division, Arm Technology China, to a consortium led by Hou An Innovation Fund for US$775 million. Hou An Innovation Fund is an investment vehicle co-managed by Arm Holdings and China-focused private equity fund manager Hopu Investment Management, with investors… Read More
Advent International to Acquire 80 Percent Stake in Walmart Brazil (Latin America)
Global private equity fund manager Advent International has agreed to acquire an 80 percent stake in Walmart Brazil from the company’s U.S.-based parent. Walmart will retain the remaining 20 percent stake in the company upon completion of the transaction. Financial details of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed. Read More