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.
PLUSS Polymers Raises INR150 Million from Tata Capital Innovations Fund (Asia)
Tata Capital, the private equity arm of India’s Tata Group, has invested INR150 million (approximately US$2.5 million) in India-based PLUSS Polymers, a chemicals and polymers research and manufacturing company. The transaction was structured through Tata Capital Innovations Fund. PLUSS Polymers intends to use the new financing to further the company’s research, development and manufacturing initiatives. Read More
Confrapar’s NascenTI Invests in School Cafeteria Software Developer Easy Food (Latin America)
Brazil-focused technology investor Confrapar will invest over US$1 million in Easy Food, a local software developer for school cafeterias. The transaction will be structured through NascenTI, Confrapar’s funding arm dedicated to projects based in Rio de Janeiro. With the new capital injection, Easy Food intends to expand its sales team and commercial scope, with a goal of reaching 500,000 students… Read More
212 Capital Partners Invests in CloudArena, Evim.net (CEE and CIS)
Turkey-based hospitality cloud software startup CloudArena has raised US$1.5 million in an early stage funding round from seed and venture capital investors Aslanoba Capital and 212 Capital Partners. CloudArena intends to use the additional financing to digitize accommodations and travel agencies worldwide. Separately, 212 Capital Partners has also participated in a US$5 million Series A round investment in Evim.net, a… Read More
Latin Idea Mexico Venture Capital Fund III Invests in Digital Animation Company Anima Estudios (Latin America)
Latin Idea Ventures, a Mexico-based private equity fund manager, announced that it has invested in Anima Estudios, a Latin American animation studio. Anima Estudios is currently working on several film projects, including “El Agente 00-P2” and “Kung Fu Magoo.” The investment was structured through Latin Idea Mexico Venture Capital Fund III. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Actis Exits a 70 Percent Stake in Vesta (Asia)
Pan-emerging markets private equity firm Actis has sold its 70 percent stake in Vesta, a Chinese commercial kitchen equipment maker, to Illinois Tool Works, a U.S.-based developer and processor of engineered components, industrial systems and consumables. Vesta designs and makes Western style mid-range commercial kitchen equipment in China. Actis originally invested in May 2011; financial details of the transaction were… Read More
Gulf Capital Completes 100 Percent Acquisition in Regional Specialty Food Company Chef Middle East (MENA)
Gulf Capital, a United Arab Emirates-based alternative investment firm, has acquired a 100 percent stake in Chef Middle East, an importer and distributor of high-end, specialty and fine food products, from United Arab Emirates-based Vintage Holdings. Chef Middle East serves more than 1,000 customers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
India Value Fund Advisors to Invest US$40 Million in Spice Company VKL Seasoning (Asia)
India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA), which focuses on investing in mid-sized businesses, is investing US$40 million in Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL Seasoning), an India-based processor of spices and spice ingredients. The deal, which involves both a primary capital infusion and a secondary share sale, marks an exit for Ascent India Fund, managed by Ascent Capital Advisors. Read More
TPG Growth to Invest US$50 Million in Masan Group to Build Agricultural Platform (Asia)
TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of global private investment firm TPG, has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 49 percent stake in Vietnam-based Hoa Muoi Gio Company (Masan Agriculture) from Masan Consumer, for a total cash consideration of approximately US$50 million. TPG Growth originally invested in the company in 2009. Masan Agriculture, which will be… Read More
CITIC Capital Venture Partners Announces Final Close of Fund (Asia)
Alternative investment management and advisory firm CITIC Capital has announced the final close of CITIC Capital Venture Partners at US$113 million. The fund targets high-growth small- to medium-sized enterprises, with a focus on sectors such as clean technology, consumer goods and services and IT. Investors in the fund include Temasek Holdings’s subsidiary Vertex Asia Growth and technology investor Enspire Capital. Read More
GP Investments Announces an Investment in Beleza Natural (Latin America)
GP Investments, an alternative investment firm in Latin America, has announced a BRL70 million (approximately US$31 million) investment in Brazilian beauty institute chain Cor do Brasil (Beleza Natural) for a 33 percent stake. Beleza Natural, which provides products and services for curly hair, currently operates 13 stores in three states. The investment will be structured through GP Capital Partners V.… Read More
Feihe Nears Completion of PE-Backed MBO (Asia)
Shareholders of New York-listed Chinese dairy company Feihe International have voted in favor of a private equity-backed management buyout valued at US$147 million by a consortium that includes Asia Pacific private equity investor Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and the company’s chairman Leng You-Bin. The buyers will pay US$7.40 per share for all outstanding shares not currently owned by… Read More
CDH Investments Makes PIPE Deal with HK-listed New Focus Auto (Asia)
CDH Investments, a China-based alternative asset fund manager, has agreed to invest US$97.4 million in Hong Kong-listed automotive aftersales service provider New Focus Auto Tech Holdings (NFA) through a subscription to ordinary shares and convertible bonds. Upon full conversion, CDH will own 63.2 percent of the company. The investment enables NFA to redeem existing bonds held by pan-Asia private equity… Read More