Asia
Kerogen makes Asia oil and gas play, eyes Fund II
Kerogen Capital has invested A$30 million ($27 million) in Twinza Oil, which has oil and gas interests in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. The energy-focused GP is also said to be preparing to launch its next fund later in the year.
Standard Chartered infra head Andrew Yee to leave Asia
Andrew Yee, global head of infrastructure for Standard Chartered Bank's principal finance division, is leaving the firm. The decision is said to be mutual and amicable, with Yee set to depart in July after which he will relocate to Europe with his family.
Female representation in Asian PE drops in 2013, still leads other markets
Asia-based private equity firms still have a higher proportion of women in high-level roles than their North American and European counterparts, although the average representation is down on the previous year, according to a study.
Jiuding Capital reaches $150m first close on US dollar fund
China’s Jiuding Capital has reached a $150 million first close on its second US dollar-denominated vehicle. Investors include sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies from North America and Asia.
Baring Asia-owned Nord Anglia files for $300m IPO
Nord Anglia Education, a Hong Kong-based school operator with a presence in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, has filed to raise up to $300 million through a US IPO. The company has been majority-owned by Baring Private Equity Asia since...
Horizon Ventures leads $23m round for Hampton Creek Food
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s Horizon Ventures has led a $23 million Series B financing round for Hampton Creek, a US-based food technology firm.
Q&A: Partners Group's Andreas Baumann
Partners Group has raised $2 billion for its latest PE direct investment program, up to 40% of which can be deployed outside of the US and Europe. Andreas Baumann, head of the firm’s Singapore office, highlights the opportunities in Asia
ESG: Nice guys finish last?
Responsible investment has is now a priority for many institutional LPs. GPs might recognize the importance of environmental, social and governance principles in this context, but acting on them can be challenging
Alibaba, Temasek, Qiming pump $100m into China's TutorGroup
Alibaba Group, Temasek Holdings and existing backer Qiming Venture Partners have invested $100 million in a Series B round of funding for TutorGroup, a China-based online education service provider.
Partners Group raises $2b for PE direct investment program
Partners Group has raised EUR1.5 billion ($2 billion) for its largest-ever private equity direct investment program, adding impetus to a strategy that has so far seen two deals in Asia, both secondary acquisitions from other GPs.
Fund admin: In house or out?
Asian private equity is becoming institutionalized, with increasingly sophisticated and international LPs asking GPs to bulk up their back office capabilities. Third-party administrators sense an opportunity
KKR eyes Asia opportunities as valuations fall
KKR sees increasing opportunities in Asia for private equity and special situations as valuations fall amid growing investor uncertainty about the prospects for emerging markets globally.
Navis raises $1.3b for seventh Asia fund
Navis Capital Partners will complete fundraising for its seventh Asia vehicle next week with up to $1.3 billion in commitments from LPs. Work will then begin on a shariah-compliant parallel fund, which is expected to close in June, taking the final total...
Rocket Internet’s Foodpanda secures $20m in funding
Foodpanda, an online meal delivery marketplace incubated by Rocket Internet, has received $20 million in funding from several venture capital firms, including existing investor Phenomen Ventures.
CVC hires Asia consumer sector specialist as advisor
CVC Capital Partners has appointed consumer sector veteran Jeremy Hobbins as a senior advisor to the pan Asia team.
LP interview: Axiom Asia
Axiom Asia has followed a consistent approach in backing small to mid-market country funds in the Asia Pacific region. Chihtsung Lam, the firm’s co-founder and managing partner, explains the strategy
Weil hires Asia fund formation lawyer from Kirkland & Ellis
International law firm Weil has appointed Albert Cho as a partner in its private funds group in Hong Kong. He joins from Kirkland & Ellis, where he served as a partner in both the New York and Hong Kong offices.
Unitas completes Edwards reorientation
When Unitas Capital and CCMP Capital came across specialist vacuum products developer Edwards Group, the business was hamstrung by geography. Asia was responsible for 60% of revenues but only 30% of manufacturing activity; in Europe these figures were...
Asia, Middle East LPs help Affinity to $3.8b close on Fund IV
Affinity Equity Partners has reached a final close of $3.8 billion on its fourth pan-Asian fund, with investors from Asia and the Middle East accounting for a larger share of the corpus than their North American counterparts.
KKR fundraiser Clifford Chiu to retire
Clifford Chiu, a leading figure in KKR’s Asia fundraising efforts, will retire in June after seven years with the firm. He will return with his family to the US.
4Q analysis: IPO awakening
Public market offerings return, or at least expectations of them; pan-regional players shore up weak fundraising market; growth deals to the fore as buyouts recede
An issue of GP sustainability
Amongst the key issues raised at our AVCJ Forum last November was the fact that many Asian private equity firms lack a long-term business model for both their investments and themselves. This issue will become increasingly important as the industry continues...
Adveq appoints new Asia head
Swiss fund-of-funds Adveq has promoted Viswanathan Parameswar to executive director and chosen him to head the firm's Asia program.
Value Creation: Shock and awe?
Asian GPs are building up their operational resources to support portfolio companies, but the true value of expertise is knowing when and where to make influence count