Market Summary
In August 2024, the Vietnamese market witnessed transactions totaling around USD330m. Notably, the Agriculture, Telehealth, and Automobile sectors were prominently involved:
The Agriculture sector featured a notable transaction where the Dutch fund - SAIL Investments' &Green Fund committed to invest USD25m in Phuc Sinh – Vietnam’s largest spice exporter.
Telehealth sector saw a merger between two peers TrueDoc and AiHealth, followed by TNB Aura commitment to invest in TrueDoc pre-seed round (amount undisclosed) to help optimize the company’s platform, expand its current offerings and network.
The Automobile sector featured InfraCo Asia USD4m’s convertible loan to DatBike – the only vertically integrated electric motorbike manufacturer in Vietnam.
Aggregate Deals Value = c. USD330m
This month's top deals
Agriculture & Food
Phuc Sinh secures USD25 million loan from Dutch fund
Phuc Sinh, Vietnam's largest spices exporter, will obtain a loan worth over USD25 million from SAIL Investments’ Netherlands-based &Green Fund – a fund promoting sustainable commodity production and higher productivity on agricultural land in selected countries with important tropical forest resources. Phuc Sinh, the first Vietnamese company to receive support from the environmentally focused foundation, specializes in the trading of black and white pepper, coffee, desiccated coconuts, chillis, star aniseed, cinnamon, tea, sesame and cashew nuts. The company will allocate the funds to ensure deforestation-free coffee supply chains.
Article link:
Consumer & Retail
Vietnam’s Every Half Coffee secures new funding
Every Half Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee brand, has received initial funding (amount undisclosed) in a round led by regional investor Openspace, with additional participation by DSG Consumer Partners. Starting out as an expert coffee roaster in 2021, Every Half went on to open its own cafes and now operates 8 outlets in HCMC, each outlet offering curated specialty beans from Vietnamese and foreign farms. The funding is intended for increasing collaboration with linked farmers, expanding retail chain, and enhancing the quality of coffee for customers.
Article link:
Healthcare & Lifestyle
TrueDoc merges with peer AiHealth, raises funding from TNB Aura
TrueDoc, a comprehensive healthcare solution provider, and AiHealth, Vietnam's fast-growing teleconsult platform, officially announced their merger on August 20. TrueDoc can leverage AiHealth’s technological capabilities and experienced development team to enhance its service platform and the overall customer experience. Following the merger, TrueDoc has secured pre-seed funding from TNB Aura, a Singapore-based venture capital firm, as part of their Scout Initiative. This funding will be directed towards optimising TrueDoc's technology platform, expanding service offerings, and broadening its operational network to increase user engagement.
Article link:
TrueDoc merges with peer AiHealth, raises funding from TNB Aura
STADA acquired Nizoral Cream brand in Vietnam
Generic drugmaker STADA has acquired the existing distribution and Nizoral Cream business in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as the trademark rights in Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The move is a part of STADA's efforts to expand its consumer healthcare business in Asia-Pacific, and an extension of a previous asset deal in APAC in 2018. Nizoral Cream features the active ingredient ketoconazole, which is used for the treatment of fungal skin infections.
Article link:
Transportation & Logistics
Japan’s Mitsui becomes strategic shareholder in Tasco Auto
The partnership between Tasco and Mitsui at Tasco Auto is considered a significant milestone that will enable Tasco to realise its strategic objectives. The initial investment was disbursed on July 31. Tasco is expanding its network of 90 showrooms with 14 car brands such as Volvo, Lynk&Co, Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, holding the largest market share in Vietnam (13.3 per cent in 2023). Through this partnership, Tasco Auto will have exposure to world-class operational and management standards, and to a worldwide network of partners. Furthermore, Mitsui brings advanced technological solutions and valued consultancy to enhance efficiency, improve governance structure, and streamline operations.
Article link:
DatBike secures USD4 million convertible loan
InfraCo – a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company has provided a USD4 million convertible loan to Vietnamese electric two-wheeler manufacturing company DatBike. Dat Bike is the only vertically integrated electric motorbike manufacturer in Vietnam, and only one of three local e-motorbike producers. The loan is expected to facilitate the adoption of more than 30,000 two-wheelers in the next two years. These vehicles would be expected to avoid close to 26,000 tCO2e each year, and thus contribute to the decarbonization of the transport sector in Vietnam.
Article link:
Note: Deal values include disclosed announced & closed deals with amounts restricted to the local scene i.e., amounts related to the Vietnam entity and/or business. Rumored deals are not included. Cross-posted deals are also adjusted to avoid double counting.
Comments