BDA advises N Kid on growth capital raise from Standard Chartered Private Equity

BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, N Kid Corporation (“N Kid”), has successfully raised US$40m in new capital from Standard Chartered Private Equity (“SCPE”). BDA acted as exclusive financial advisor to N Kid. SCPE holds a significant minority stake in N Kid after the transaction.

Founded in 2009, N Kid is the leading integrated children’s lifestyle platform in Vietnam. It is a market pioneer in delivering a fun, safe, and healthy environment in best-in-class family entertainment centers. N Kid is also a leader in the distribution and retail of branded toys and mom & baby products. The company currently operates approximately 30 family entertainment centers under the brand names tiNiWorld and T CLB, a toy and mom & baby products distribution business under PNC Toys, as well as 20 Toyland and Babyland retail outlets across Vietnam. With its world class management team, distinctive brand concepts and favorable country demographics, N Kid has experienced tremendous growth since inception. N Kid has developed its brands into household names among young families in Vietnam.

BDA ran a carefully planned auction process for N Kid, targeting regional and SE Asia financial sponsors. BDA’s deal team was involved in each step of the transaction, and facilitated the ultimate outcome for N Kid. After several rounds of discussions, N Kid selected SCPE, the private equity arm of Standard Chartered Bank, as its preferred partner. SCPE brings invaluable operational expertise to the partnership, leveraging its global network. This new partnership is set to build on N Kid’s existing success, setting up the next stage of growth.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used as expansion capital to support further roll-out of family entertainment centers and retail outlets across Vietnam, expansion of distribution channels, and the development of new adjacent businesses.

Thomas Ngo, Co-Founder of N Kid, said, “We are very excited to partner with SCPE as they share the same vision for the business as we do. We are very positive about the future of the business and are enthusiastic about continuing to extend our existing children’s lifestyle platform to deliver best-in-class international standard products and services to modern families throughout Vietnam.”

Thuy Dropsey, Director of SCPE, said, “We are privileged to partner with Mr. Ngo and his management team, who have done an outstanding job in building a platform that caters to the needs of young Vietnamese families. We look forward to supporting the team to accelerate its growth and presence across Vietnam, and to help achieve its long-term vision.”