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YFind Technologies Raises US$1.5 Million to Create Location-Intelligent Cities (Asia)
YFind Technologies, a Singapore-based wireless communications company, has raised SGD1.5 million (US$1.2 million) in a Series A funding round led by U.S.-based global venture capital firm Walden International and Singapore-based Innosight Ventures. YFind has developed a new WiFi-based technology platform that enables mobile devices to determine their precise location within buildings and densely-built urban areas. The company will use the… Read More
Hopu Asset Management Sells 6 Percent Stake in Chinese Dairy Firm Mengniu (Asia)
Chinese private equity firm Hopu Investment Management has sold its 6 percent stake in China Mengniu Dairy to Danish dairy company Arla Foods for DKK1.7 billion (US$289 million). Hopu held its stake in Mengniu through a 30 percent stake in COFCO Dairy (which in turn held a 20 percent stake in Mengniu). COFCO Dairy was formed in 2009 when Hopu… Read More
Carlyle Nets US$300 Million from Selling Sinorgchem to Sinochem International (Asia)
The Carlyle Group has sold HK Carlyle Sinorgchem Industry Company, an investment holding company controlling a 40 percent stake in Jiangsu Sinorgchem, a China-based producer of rubber chemical additives, for an estimated RMB1.85 billion (US$290 million) to Chinese industrial conglomerate Sinochem International. The sale was part of Sinochem International’s acquisition of a 61 percent stake in Jiangsu Sinorgchem for RMB2.82… Read More
CVC Capital Partners Invests in Chinese Shoe Company C.banner (Asia)
London-based asset management firm CVC Capital Partners has acquired RMB139 million (US$22 million) in convertible bonds and HKD295 million (US$38 million) in exchangeable bonds issued by Hong Kong-listed Chinese shoe manufacturer and retailer C.banner International Holdings. CVC also invested an unknown amount through secondary shares in a PIPE transaction. China Consumer Capital Partners and Mousse Dragon—China- and U.S.-based investment firms,… Read More
Alusa and Nexus Close Acquisition of Empaques Flexa (Latin America)
Nexus Capital Partners III, a Latin America-focused investment fund managed by Nexus Group of Peru, and Chilean packaging company Alusa have concluded the acquisition of Colombian flexible packaging company Empaques Flexa. According to Alusa’s original announcement of the deal, the Santiago-based company and Nexus, an investor in Alusa subsidiary Peruplast, will together invest US$35 million. The investment will add Empaques… Read More
OPIC Board Approves US$65 Million for Investment Fund for South African Small Businesses (Sub-Saharan Africa)
The Board of Directors of U.S. development finance institution Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has approved US$65 million in financing for Medu Capital Fund III, a fund managed by South Africa-based private equity firm Medu Capital. The fund, which has a target capitalization of US$300 million, will invest in small and middle-market companies primarily in South Africa, but may consider… Read More
Egyptian Refining Company Reaches Financial Close on US$3.7 Billion Greenfield Petroleum Refining Project (MENA)
The Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) has closed a US$3.7 billion financing package to develop a greenfield petroleum refining project outside Cairo. Financing for the project, led by Citadel Capital SAE, a Cairo-based private equity firm investing in the Middle East and Africa, will include US$2.6 billion in debt and US$1.1 billion in equity. In addition to Citadel Capital SAE (US$155… Read More
Islamic Development Bank to Launch US$600 Million Agriculture Fund (MENA)
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB), an economic development organization based in Saudi Arabia with 56 member countries, has partnered with Dutch asset manager Robeco to launch a US$600 million private equity fund to invest in food and agriculture projects in Muslim nations. The fund, which will be managed by a joint venture between IDB affiliate Islamic Corporation for the Development… Read More
XSML Invests in 4G Internet Provider in Central African Republic (Sub-Saharan Africa)
XSML, a Netherlands-based emerging markets private equity fund manager, has announced an investment in Millenium Telecom, an internet services provider based in the Central African Republic. XSML made the investment through the Central Africa SME Fund. Millenium Telecom plans to develop a mobile broadband internet network serving individuals and businesses in Bangui. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
SEAF Funds Complete Exit from Peruvian Hydropower Plant Investments (Latin America and the Caribbean)
U.S.-based global growth capital investor Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF) recently announced that three SEAF-managed Latin American funds have exited their investment in Peruvian power plant operator Hidroeléctrica Santa Cruz (HSC) in February 2012 through a strategic sale to a Brazilian renewable energy developer. Fondo Transandino Peru, Fondo LATAM Peru and LATAM Growth Fund first invested in HSC in December… Read More
Unitas Capital Partners with Korean Outdoor Brand NEPA (Asia)
Asia Mountaineering Holdings (AMH), a Netherlands-headquartered company owned by funds managed by Hong Kong-based private equity firm Unitas Capital will invest KRW190 billion (approximately US$162.4 million) to acquire a significant minority stake in NEPA, a Korean outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer. AMH will make its investment through a subscription of new primary shares. NEPA plans to use the capital to… Read More
CapMan Invests in KDL Test Alongside EBRD and UFG Private Equity (CEE and CIS)
CapMan Russia, a fund managed by Finland-based asset manager CapMan, has partnered with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Russia-based UFG Private Equity to acquire 24 percent of KDL Test. A laboratory diagnostic services provider, KDL has operations across Russia. The deal, the financial details of which were not disclosed, represents CapMan Russia’s first in the Russian… Read More