Fundraising
Former Mitsui VCs launch $150m biopharma fund
Two former venture investors from Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co are looking to raise $150 million for a new fund focusing on the biopharmaceutical sector.
India VC Reservoir reaches first close on maiden fund
India early stage investor Reservoir Investment Managers has reached a first close on its maiden fund, Exfinity Technology Fund - Series I (ETF-I).
Shunwei raises $525m for second China VC fund
Shunwei Capital Partners, a Chinese VC firm set up by Lei Jun (pictured), a noted angel investor and founder of mobile phone brand Xiaomi, has closed its second fund at $525 million.
IDG reaches $586m final close on early-stage China fund
IDG Capital Partners has reached a final close of $586 million on its latest China venture capital fund, which will make early-stage investments in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector.
China VC: The virtuous circle
China’s VC market is evolving as funds started by or raised from founders of first-generation internet firms. Concerns about conflicts of interest must be addressed, but the influence of their ecosystems will grow
Chinese insurers and offshore PE: Tortoise, not hare
Foreign private equity firms see Chinese insurers as an untapped yet potentially lucrative LP market. But how soon might these institutions have the will and skill set to put capital to work?
Beyond the comfort zone: RMB GPs and US dollar funds
An increasing number of Chinese GPs that made their names in the renminbi space are looking to raise US-dollar funds. It requires a level of institutionalization that most have never seen before
Red heat: China PE on the rebound?
Investors have not been chasing as hard as they used to on opportunities in Chinese private equity these past few years. It’s not hard to understand why: the combination of slowing economic conditions, frequently unrealistic valuations, the temporary...
Sequoia raises $530m for India fund
Sequoia Capital has raised $530 million for its fourth India-focused fund, which has an expanded remit to take in opportunities in Southeast Asia as well.
AIP Japan to launch $300m healthcare focused fund
Asia Investment Partners (AIP) Japan is launching its sixth healthcare-focused fund, which will specifically target the elderly care home segment.
LP interview: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board has established a sizeable presence in Asia and is making ever larger commitments to GPs in the region. But Mark Machin, the fund’s Asia president, says it is still early days
Aion makes India breakthrough
The decisive victory recorded by new Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s general election has removed a lingering element of uncertainty regarding economic and foreign investment policy, but it cannot save companies from their past misdeeds.
LPs buy into SSG’s special sits story
Direct lending has gained traction among PE investors in Asia who see an opportunity to meet the capital needs of small businesses that are unable to tap conventional sources of financing. SSG Capital is keen to differentiate itself from the mainstream.
TPG looks up after bumpy fundraise
The fundraising process for TPG Asia VI was not smooth. More than two-and-a-half years in the market, a reduced target, changes in senior management, and churn within the China team prompting questions about the PE firm’s ability to cover what is arguably...
Accelerator fundraising: Backing the batch
The start-up accelerator can offer attractive opportunities for early-stage investors but the business model is still in its infancy and educating potential backers can still be challenge
Yunfeng raises more than $1b for China fund
Yunfeng Capital, a Chinese PE firm set up by Jack Ma and David Yu, founders of Alibaba Group and Target Media, respectively, has reached a final close of around $1.1 billion on its second fund.
Taiwan's CDIB, Govtor Capital launch $320m PE fund
Taiwan’s CDIB Private Equity has teamed up with China’s state-owned Govtor Capital to create a RMB2 billion ($320 million) private equity fund.
Indosat, SoftBank form $50m Indonesia VC fund
Indonesian mobile telecom operator Indosat and Japanese Softbank have launched a $50 million venture capital fund targeting Indonesian start-ups.
TPG closes sixth Asian fund at $3.3b
TPG Capital has closed its sixth pan-Asia fund at $3.3 billion after more than two years in the market.
Hony, Tencent buy plots in Qianhai land auction
Hony Capital and Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings have bought land in Shenzhen’s Qianhai special economic zone for RMB2.19 billion ($351 million).
China Soft Capital, Yangquan Coal form $480m industry fund
China Soft Capital (CSC) and Yangquan Coal Industry Group have launched an industry buyout fund with a target of RMB3 billion ($480 million).
SSG raises $915m for Asia special situations fund
SSG Capital Partners has closed its third Asia special situations fund at the hard cap of $915 million after approximately five months in the market.
Legend Capital closes sixth China VC fund at $500m
Chinese venture capital firm Legend Capital has reached a final close of $500 million on its sixth US dollar-denominated fund.
Separate accounts: Special treatment
Separate accounts are a tailored and cost effective means through which large institutions can access portfolios of GPs. Though increasingly popular in Asia, they are not suitable, or appealing, to all