Nanjing Hi-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd., backed by the Nanjing city government, has recently set up an investment fund that will support the economic growth of the city. The fund has already received capital.
      Separately, Nanjing Hi-tech VC has also teamed up with the Singapore-based Tembusu Partners Pte Ltd. to launch Nanjing Growth Fund. (People's Republic of China)

The South Korean government's Ministry of Knowledge Economy has reportedly established a 42 billion won (US$33.7 million) private equity fund to seek buyout opportunities in the software industry, according to Maeil Business. It will be jointly managed by the Industrial Bank of Korea and SK Securities Co., Ltd.. (South Korea)

The Geneva-based BlueOrchard Investments Sarl('BlueOrchard') has invested 500 million rupees (US$10.2 million) in its second round of financing to Asmitha Microfin Limited ('Asmitha'). This is the second round of financing provided by BlueOrchard which had earlier invested in Asmitha in late 2008. Asmitha is a microfinance institution. (India)

Aureos Capital Limited ('Aureos') and ePlanet Ventures have comitted 780 million rupees (US$15.9 million) for a minority stake in Continental Warehousing (Nhava Sheva) Ltd, a container freight station operator. (India)

Evolvence Capital has committed 350 million rupees (US$7.1 million) to Sutures India Private Limited ('Sutures India'). Sutures India is a manufacturer and exporter of surgical sutures, and has a global client base. (India)

Greylock Partners has invested US$4 million in Health SuperHiway Pvt. Ltd. ('Health SuperHiway'), a software development company which is a joint venture between Apollo Hospitals and IBM. Health SuperHiway intends to seek additional capital. (India)

Marunouchi Capital Co., Ltd. ('Marunouchi Capital') has agreed to take a stake in Joyful Honda Co., Ltd. ('Joyful Honda'), a Japan-based home center operator which sells home decoration products. Marunouchi Capital was formed as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in April last year. (Japan)

Legend Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in Guangdong-based Beauty In Fashion, which is a chain store operator of beauty and fashion products for women.
      The women beauty and fashion products market in China is growing at an average 19% each year. (People's Republic of China)

Shenzhen Fortune Venture Capital Co. Ltd. has invested in Newauto (Beijing) Video Technology Co., Ltd. ('Newauto') for an undisclosed sum. It is one of the largest providers of video technology products and solutions in China. Newauto previously received funs from International Finance Corporation and Intel Capital. (People's Republic of China)

The South Korea-based Silicon Mitus, Inc. has recently completed its Series B round of financing. ePlanet Ventures led the transaction and was joined by Walden International, an existing investor in the company. Silicon Mitus specialises in power management integrated circuits. (South Korea)

Four companies, backed by domestic private equity investors, made their debuts on 3rd September on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange :-

       (1) Shenzhen Success Electronic Co., Ltd., backed by ('Shenzhen Success'), China Merchant Technology Holdings Co., Ltd. ('CMT'), a corporate venture arm of China Merchant Holdings Co., Ltd.. CMT first invested in Shenzhen Success in 2007.
      (2) Foshan Saturday Shoes Co., Ltd. ('Foshan Saturday'), backed by Legend Capital whcih first invested in Foshan Saturdya in early 2007.
      (3) Suzhou Hesheng Special Material Co., Ltd. ('Hesheng'), backed by Suzhou Venture Group which made a modest commitment in 2007 to Hesheng.
      (4) Guangdong Chaohua Technology Co., Ltd., backed by Shenzhen Oriental Fortune Capital Co., Ltd. and Seasonal Capital. Both first invested in the circuit board maker in late 2007.
      The first day trading for these four companies saw enthusiastic response from investors. All investors did not dispose of their holdings. (People's Republic of China)

GGV Capital and NewSmith Capital Partners ('consortium') have sold their combined holdings in MediaRing Ltd. ('MediaRing'), a leading global internet voice service provider in Singapore, to Spice Innovation Technologies Pte Ltd. The consortium is estimated to have made a 9% gain on its invested capital. They first invested in MediaRing in 2005. (Singapore)

Messrs Parth Gandhi and Prashant Purker have recently joined ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited as the firm's presidents. (India)

Mr Sameer Al Ansari has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of SHUUA Capital. He replaces Mr Iyad Duwaji who resigned earlier this month. (Middle East)