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AfricInvest & Microcred Group Agree to Acquire Zimbabwe-based MicroKing Finance (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Pan-African private equity firm AfricInvest and microfinance firm Microcred Group have agreed to acquire a 100 percent stake in Zimbabwe-based financial products and services provider MicroKing Finance. AfricInvest, which will acquire a 30 percent stake in the company, will structure its investment through AfricInvest Financial Sector Fund. MicroKing provides financial services that are accessible and adapted to the needs of… Read More
Practica Capital Invests EUR1.5 Million in East West Agro (CEE and CIS)
Lithuania-focused venture capital firm Practica Capital has invested EUR1.5 million (approximately US$1.7 million) in Lithuania-based agriculture machinery vendor East West Agro (EWA). The transaction was part of a larger funding round, which included Sweden-based lender Swedbank, totaling EUR6 million (approximately US$6.8 million). EWA will use the new funds to become an authorized dealer of Massey Ferguson, United States-based agricultural machinery manufacturer. Read More
Cathay Capital Private Equity Invests in Human Resources Management Platform Ifchange (Asia)
Cross-border private equity firm Cathay Capital Private Equity has completed an investment in China-based human resources recruitment platform Ifchange. The transaction was structured through Cathay Innovation Fund. Ifchange provides cloud-based tools for job seekers and human resources professionals. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
The Abraaj Group Leads a US$150 Million Financing Round for BigBasket (Asia)
Global growth markets investor The Abraaj Group has led a US$150 million funding round for India-based online grocery company BigBasket. Other participants in the round included development finance institution International Finance Corporation (IFC), which contributed US$19.3 million; growth investment firm Sands Capital Management; and venture capital firms Bessemer Venture Partners, Helion Venture Partners, Zodius Capital and Ascent Capital. BigBasket plans… Read More
Digital Media Partners Leads a US$2.5 Million Series A Round for Medical Departures (Asia)
Emerging markets-focused venture capital firm Digital Media Partners has led a US$2.5 million Series A financing round for Medical Departures, a Thailand-based online platform connecting patients with doctors and dentists around the world. Other investors in the round included media company Hubert Burda Media, internet services-focused investor CyberAgent Ventures and digital advertising company OPT SEA. Medical Departures will use the… Read More
CDH Investments Exits Hong Kong-listed Beijing Digital Telecom (Asia)
China-focused private equity and venture capital firm CDH Investments has sold a 21.66 percent stake in Hong Kong-listed Beijing Digital Telecom, operator of a chain of mobile phone retailers in China, for HKD367 million (approximately US$47 million) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CDH originally invested in the company in 2007 in a transaction structured through CDH China Growth Capital… Read More
Hony Capital, CITIC Private Equity and Sequoia Capital Agree to Exit Happigo Home Shopping (Asia)
Private equity firms Hony Capital and CITIC Private Equity, along with venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, have agreed to exit China-listed online and TV shopping company Happigo Home Shopping via share sales on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Hony, CITIC and Sequoia will sell stakes of approximately 19 percent, nine percent and five percent, respectively. The investors will gradually exit their… Read More
Aqua Capital Acquires a Controlling Stake in Animal Feed Supplement Manufacturer Yes (Latin America)
Aqua Capital, a private equity firm focused on growth investments in mid-market companies in Latin America, has acquired a controlling stake in Yes, a Brazil-based manufacturer of supplements for animal feed, for a reported BRL40 million (approximately US$11 million). Yes plans to use the new capital to open two plants in São Paulo state and to expand its product line… Read More
Gaja Capital Reaches a Final Close on Gaja II with US$240 Million in Capital Commitments (Asia)
India-focused private equity firm Gaja Capital has reached a final close for its latest fund, Gaja II, with US$240 million in capital commitments. Investors in the fund included development finance institution International Finance Corporation. Gaja plans to make eight to ten investments of US$5 million to US$40 million apiece from the fund, targeting businesses established by first-generation entrepreneurs. Read More
Standard Chartered Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Invest in Vietnam-based MoMo (Asia)
Standard Chartered Bank’s private equity arm Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) and investment bank Goldman Sachs have invested US$28 million in M_Service, a Vietnam-based company that operates mobile e-wallet app MoMo. SCPE contributed US$25 million to the round, while Goldman Sachs—an existing shareholder in the company—contributed US$3 million. MoMo provides e-wallet and over-the-counter remittance and payment services to a reported… Read More
Glenwood Private Equity and Baring Private Equity Asia Agree to Acquire Lafarge Halla Cement (Asia)
Private equity firms Glenwood Private Equity and Baring Private Equity Asia have agreed to acquire South Korea-based cement company Lafarge Halla Cement for an enterprise value of KRW560 billion (approximately US$469 million). Global cement company LafargeHolcim is selling the company as part of a broader global divestment program. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016… Read More
Bain Capital Acquires a Majority Stake in Asia Pacific Medical Group for US$150 Million (Asia)
Global private equity firm Bain Capital has acquired more than a 90 percent stake in China-based hospital operator Asia Pacific Medical Group (APMG) for US$150 million. The transaction, which was structured through Bain Capital Asia Fund II and Bain Capital Asia Fund III, facilitated an exit for two existing investors: China-focused private equity firm Cathaya Capital and development finance institution… Read More