Asia
L Catterton Asia SPAC to merge with Geely-owned Lotus EV unit
A US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) launched by L Catterton Asia has agreed to merge with Lotus Technology, an electric vehicle (EV) unit under the Lotus luxury car brand owned by Chinese automaker Geely Holding.
Asia PE investment declines 40% in 2022
Asia private equity investment reached USD 223.9bn in 2023, a sharp decline from the USD 376.4bn recorded a year earlier, but still the second-largest annual total on record, according to provisional data from AVCJ Research.
Bain & Co appoints new Asia PE practice co-head
Bain & Company has named Sebastien Lamy, who has been with the firm for over 20 years and most recently focused on Asia infrastructure investment, as co-head of its regional private equity practice.
Asia GPs see reversion to norm on deal flow, valuations
Asia-focused buyout managers pointed to a return to a version of normality – with an anticipated upturn in investment and exits – in 2023 at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia forum.
4Q analysis: Who wants China?
Pan-regional GPs get traction by highlighting their Asia ex-China credentials; buyouts rebound as growth capital – and China – continue to recede; India impresses with bumper exit proceeds
Deal focus: L Catterton hitches a ride with Tenways
Electric bicycle brand Tenways has built its business on European design capabilities and Asian manufacturing smarts. L Catterton is backing the two-year-old company to become a global leader
CVC hits USD 3.5bn first close on sixth Asia fund
CVC Capital Partners achieved a first close of USD 3.5bn on its sixth pan-Asian fund at the end of last year.
TR hits $350m first close on fifth Asia secondaries fund - update
TR Capital, an Asia-focused private equity secondaries investor, has reached a first close of USD 350m on its fifth fund, which has an overall target of USD 600m.
PAG's Shan emphasizes diversity, control in Asia private equity
Momentum has shifted towards geographically diversified pan-regional investors, control deals, and private markets following a decade dominated by China-centric funds, growth-stage technology plays, and public equities, Weijian Shan, chairman and CEO...
Asia buyouts: The case for control
Investors are looking to minimise external financial and macro risks and emphasise factors they can control – which means more buyouts, careful asset selection, and greater operational intensity
Asian basketball league secures Series C funding
East Asia Super League (EASL), a basketball league featuring teams from Greater China, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, has raised USD 40m as part of a yet-to-close Series C funding round.
Campbell Lutyens recruits Suvir Varma as Asia chairman
Suvir Varma, formerly head of Bain & Company’s financial investor practice in Asia Pacific, has been appointed chairman for Asia Pacific at placement agent Campbell Lutyens.
2023 preview: Buyouts
Even though debt is more readily available in Asia than in the US or Europe, financing costs are up, and buyout investors are reluctant to move for assets in an uncertain and overvalued market
2023 preview: Fundraising
Fundraising is difficult for all but the fortunate few private equity managers in Asia. GPs are delaying launches, shaking up strategies, and offering sweeteners; LPs are in no hurry to make commitments
2023 preview: Private debt
Asia-based private debt managers hope to take advantage of renewed LP appetite for the asset class, while enjoying higher returns driven by rising interest rates and widening spreads
2023 preview: Exits
IPOs and trade sales have been muted in 2022, but industry participants expect strategic investors to be more active in Asia next year, especially as valuations moderate. Increased secondary deal flow is also likely
To pastures new: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals, and departures in the private equity community in 2022
Q&A: Bain Capital’s David Gross-Loh
David Gross-Loh, a managing director and a founding member of the Asia business at Bain Capital, on expanding into Osaka, targeting large-cap carve-outs in Japan, and the availability of deal financing
2022 in review: End of the party?
Fundraising favours the few; deployment becomes progressively slower as investors agonise about valuations, macro prospects, and financing costs; sponsor-to-sponsor deals prop up exits
LP appetite for Asia weakens - survey
Institutional investor interest in Asia has fallen significantly over the past two years, according to a survey conducted by Probitas Partners, with pan-regional funds, venture capital, and single country-focused funds among the least popular strategies...