Asia
KKR Scoops three prizes at AVCJ Awards
KKR was named Firm of the Year and also took the prizes for fundraising and deal of the year at the 2013 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, while MBK Partners’ Michael B. Kim picked up the Private Equity Professional of the Year honor and Headland...
Fundraising perspectives: Capital providers on private equity
Asian GPs have endured a difficult 12 months for fundraising and the region is on course for its lowest annual total in four years. Assorted LPs outline their attitudes to the asset class and the region
Fundraising: The JOBS Act and general solicitation
The removal of restrictions on general solicitation in the US potentially allows private equity firms to tap accredited investors that previously fell beneath their radar. However, managers are reluctant to rush in
Fundraising and pension reform: A slow-burn issue
Defined benefit public pension plans are one of PE’s biggest bank rollers, so the rise in defined contribution plans – that tend to favor liquid assets – is a long-term concern. There must be compromise on both sides
Asia fundraising: Size matters?
While a select group of GPs are able to raise large funds at short order in Asia, the small and mid-cap space is hollowing out. It is in parts cyclical and a function of broader changes in the post-financial crisis LP base
Alvarez & Marsal opens Korea office
Turnaround management and business advisory specialist Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has opened an office in Seoul and appointed Jay Kim as managing director to lead its business activities in South Korea.
Five trends worth watching
When we look back at 2013 it will probably be described as a slow year for Asian private equity. Statistics on all major PE activities in the region have fallen substantially.
NYSTRS commits $100m to Carlyle's fourth Asia buyout fund
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has committed $100 million to The Carlyle Group’s fourth Asia buyout fund. The vehicle, which has a target of $3.5 billion, had raised $1.5 billion as of the first quarter of 2013, with a final close...
PennSERS commits $50m to Asia Alternatives separate vehicle
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has committed a further $50 million to Penn Asia Investors, a separate account managed by Asia Alternatives that focuses on opportunistic investments in funds across the region. Last year the...
OPIC calls for proposals from emerging market GPs
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance institution (DFI) backed by the US government, has made a call for proposals from GPs operating in emerging markets, including Asia.
On the shoulders of giants: DFIs and first-time funds
Backing from a development finance institution can be the making of a first-time GP in a far-flung jurisdiction. Working with this kind of LP, however, comes with its own set of challenges
3Q analysis: Haves and have nots
Third quarter analysis: Fundraising fortunes become ever more polarized; Korea continues to be the stand-out buyout market, while India shows growth from a very low base; China IPOs are on the comeback trail
Northstar Group picks up ERA regional master franchise
Northstar Group has completed the acquisition of the Asia Pacific master franchise rights for property agency ERA from Hersing Corporation. It follows the Southeast Asia-focused GP's purchase of ERA franchise in Singapore from the same seller two months...
MBK closes third North Asia buyout fund at $2.7b hard cap
MBK Partners has closed its third fund at the hard cap of $2.7 billion after just over one year in the market. The North Asia-focused GP, which was founded by Michael B. Kim, former president of Carlyle Asia Partners, set an initial target of around $2.25...
Asia PE fundraising recovers to $9.5b in third quarter
Asia-focused private equity funds raised $9.5 billion in the third quarter of 2013, up from the multi-year low of $5.2 billion in the previous quarter, according to provisional data from AVCJ Research. A total of 54 vehicles reached a partial or final...
500 Startups raises $44.1m second fund
Silicon Valley-based incubator 500 Startups has held a final close of $44.1 million second fund that will back seed and accelerator companies. The vehicle – 500 Startup Fund II - is larger than its predecessor but below the $50 million target.
ICG adds Nyree Hu to Asia team
Specialist asset manager Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has hired Nyree Hu as Asia director with its 11-strong global distribution team.
Asian LPs deploy more capital in private equity – Preqin
More than 70% of Asian institutional investors have committed to at least one private equity fund so far this year and close to nine in 10 expect to allocate the same or more capital to the asset class in 2014 compared to 2013.
Henry Kravis on Asia
KKR co-founder Henry Kravis recently briefed a group of reporters on his firm's investment strategy in Asia, offering glimpses of a business that is rooted in private equity yet stretches well beyond it.
Altius appoints new Asia Pacific head
Altius Associates, a private equity advisory and fund-of-funds firm, has appointed Peter Pfister as a partner and head of Asia Pacific.
Forbidden fruit?
There used to be a time when a private equity fund buying the portfolio company of another private equity fund was a serious faux pas. Nowadays, GPs have become less shy about buying from peers, who in many cases might be selling good but un-exited assets...
KKR's Kravis bullish on Asia private equity, credit
Henry Kravis, co-founder of KKR, believes that Asia’s macro headwinds have created an attractive environment for private equity investment, although the asset class is just one of several strategies that feature in his longer-term outlook for the development...
Cogent adds to Shanghai team
Cogent Partners has appointed Dominik Woessner as a director in its Shanghai office. He has relocated from the secondary market-focused firm’s London office as part of ongoing efforts to develop its footprint in Asia.
CalSTRS alters allocation to favor inflation sensitive, illiquid assets
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) will recalibrate the long-term allocation targets of its $170 billion investment portfolio, placing greater emphasis on inflation-sensitive and illiquid assets at the expense of equities and fixed...