Asia
2015 in review: Capital in abundance
Ample liquidity and a tech boom drive up investment activity; venture takes center stage in a relatively quiet fundraising environment; exits do not disappoint, but fail to match the highs of 2014.
The debate: Are LPs even LPs any more?
A group of top-level LPs of varying sizes came together at this year’s AVCJ Forum to discuss what they want from co-investment, how they prefer to participate, and ensuring alignment of interest with GPs
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2016
From Australia to China and buyouts to venture, industry participants give their perspectives on the year to come for fundraising, investments, and exits
New faces, old faces: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2015
Zeitgeist: The year in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on issues ranging from fees and tech sector valuations to China trade sales and Japanese LPs
Anand Prasanna leaves Morgan Creek
Anand Prasanna, a director with Morgan Creek Capital Management in Shanghai, has left the firm to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in India.
AVCJ Awards 2015: AVCJ Special Achievement: Ta-Lin Hsu
As founder and chairman of H&Q Asia Pacific, Ta-Lin Hsu has played a key role in the development of private equity in Asia. He continues to look for ways to spread innovation
AVCJ Awards 2015: Fundraising - Large Cap & PE Professional of the Year: Jean Eric Salata
Jean Eric Salata, CEO and founding partner of Baring Private Equity Asia, on why fund and deal sizes are getting bigger
Adams Street names Yar-Ping Soo Asia investment team head
Yar-Ping Soo, a partner with Adams Street Partners, has been appointed head of the firm’s Asian investment team, succeeding Piau-Voon Wang, who will become a senior advisor.
AVCJ journalists win awards
Asian Venture Capital Journal was honored at the 2015 State Street Institutional Press Awards, Asia Pacific, winning three categories outright and receiving highly commended citations in three more.
Offshore service providers see regulation driving up costs - survey
The law firms, corporate service providers and accountants responsible for the offshore structures that underpin most private equity funds and transactions expect costs to rise as tighter regulations take hold.
Morrison & Foerster hires fund formation lawyer from Proskauer
Morrison & Foerster has hired Jason Nelms as a Hong Kong-based partner in its global fund formation practice. He joins from Proskauer in New York.
PE value-add programs still at early stage in Asia - survey
PE firms are increasingly aware of the importance of value creation at portfolio company level in Asia, but many accept that their programs in this area have yet to reach maturity, according to a new survey.
HarbourVest makes two promotions in Asia
HarbourVest Partners has promoted two Asia-based professionals – Minjun Chung and Kanji Takenaka, who focus on South Korea and Japan, respectively – to principal.
Placement agent First Avenue opens Hong Kong office
Private placement agent and advisory firm First Avenue has opened an office in Hong Kong. It will be led by Michael Henningsen, previously a managing director at Park Hill Group.
Family office fundraising: Face to face
Dealing with a family office can be uniquely challenging for GPs. Managers who want success have to be able to handle the unique dynamics of this situation
Evergreen funds: The long hold
The notion of patient or permanent capital draws interest from both GPs and LPs, but evergreen funds are rare in the US and even rarer in Asia. This state of affairs is unlikely to change any time soon
Money troubles: PE compensation
A lack of transparency over compensation - or just a lack of compensation - is partly responsible for the still relatively high turnover in Asian private equity
Placement agent Eaton agrees sale to Stifel
Placement agent and advisory firm Eaton Partners has agreed to be acquired by Stifel Financial Corp, a US-listed financial services holding company with a strong presence in investment banking and wealth management.
Adams Street's PV Wang to step back
Piau-Voon Wang, a partner at Adams Street Partners who opened the firm’s Singapore office in 2006, is stepping back and transitioning to an advisory role.
Shaw Kwei strengthens Hong Kong team
Middle market Asian PE firm Shaw Kwei & Partners has hired Brian Lau as an executive director based in its Hong Kong office.
Asian GPs should share the wealth internally - AVCJ Forum
The Asian private equity talent pool is deepening but GPs must ensure their compensation schemes are well balanced in order to retain mid-level staff, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
Asia co-investment: The waiting game
Large-scale co-investment will take time to get traction in Asia
KKR commits $300m to Asia media investment platform
KKR has committed $300 million to a Emerald Media, an investment platform that will target media and entertainment opportunities across Asia. The Chernin Group is participating as a minority co-investor in the deal.