USA
China-US tensions: Adapting to malaise
China would suffer the most immediate impact of a technology decoupling with the US, but both sides would be damaged in the long-term in the absence of remedial action
MassMutual establishes second VC fund for Southeast Asia
US-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has established a second venture capital fund for Southeast Asia with a corpus of $100 million.
China's Hua Capital buys chip unit from US-listed Synaptics
Hua Capital, a Chinese investment firm that primarily focuses on the semiconductor industry, has agreed to acquire an Asia-based mobile LCD chip business from US-listed Synaptics for $120 million in cash.
PE industry associations: The advocates
Private equity’s increasing politicization globally and its expanding role in economies across Asia has put pressure on industry networking associations to do more in terms of public engagement
Circulate hits first close on Asian ocean protection fund
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investor dedicated to stemming plastic waste pollution in South and Southeast Asia, has reached a first close of $106 million for an ocean protection fund.
Y Combinator abandons China program
Silicon Valley-based accelerator Y Combinator has terminated its recently launched China program citing a change in its US leadership.
Norwest raises $2b for latest global VC fund
Norwest Venture Partners, a US-headquartered investor with a strong presence in India, has closed its latest global VC fund at $2 billion. It is the firm’s largest vehicle to date.
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Howard Marks
Howard Marks, co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, discusses populism, deficit, trade wars, the shift in focus from public to private markets, and why his default position is one of caution
Q&A: Teacher Retirement System of Texas' Eric Lang
Eric Lang, senior managing director of external private markets at Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), discusses co-investment, strategic partnerships, and Asian expansion plans
Philippines-based Xurpas acquires Wavemaker Partners
Philippines consumer technology developer Xurpas has agreed to acquire the US operations of venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners.
Q&A: TPG's Jon Winkelried
Jon Winkelried, co-CEO of TPG, on taking the helm at a founder-led firm, finding growth opportunities in complementary strategies, and negotiating a difficult year for the Rise Fund
China-US PE: Reverse princeling
When a US presidential candidate’s son with Chinese private equity connections stirs up accusations of impropriety, the questionable merits of princeling funds appear more muddled than ever
VC-backed Chinese AI companies hit by US blacklisting
Eight Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups have been blacklisted by the US government. Several have received PE and VC funding, including SenseTime and Megvii Technology.
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Raj Makam
Raj Makam, co-portfolio manager for Oaktree Capital’s middle-market finance group, discusses the dangers that may await investors in the overheating US direct lending space
New Mountain Capital buys US-India BPO player
US private equity firm New Mountain Capital has agreed to acquire Emids, a US-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) provider with extensive operations in India, for an undisclosed sum.
Japan investors back US token player Securitize
Japanese investors are supporting efforts to bring token-based economic infrastructure to Japan with participation in a $14 million round for US-based digital securities technology player Securitize.
Q&A: Pomona Capital's Michael Granoff
Michael Granoff, founder and CEO of Pomona Capital, discusses raising capital from Asian LPs, how GPs can be differentiated in a crowded secondaries market, and why he’s not keen on fund restructurings
Placement agents: Perfect partners?
Once a private equity firm selects a placement agent, they might be working hand in glove on a fundraise for the next two years. A strong mutual understanding increases the chances of a favorable outcome
US fintech player Tala targets India with $110m Series D
Tala, a US financial technology provider looking to expand its microlending operations in India, has raised a $110 million Series D round from a group including PayPal Ventures.
Deal focus: India AI player Uniphore eyes post-call center world
Fresh from raising a $51 million Series C round, Uniphore's founder argues that artificial intelligence will become as much about quality of engagement as back-end efficiency
China's Ping An joins $72m round for US AI player
China’s Ping An Insurance has co-led a $72.5 million Series D round alongside Goldman Sachs for US artificial intelligence (AI) developer H2O with a view to expanding its Asian operations.
Vulcan Capital expands into Asia
Vulcan Capital, a US-based venture investor set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened a Singapore office and earmarked $100 million for investment in Southeast Asia.
WeWork IPO reveals extent of global scaling risk
WeWork, a US co-working space provider pursuing an aggressive Asia expansion with the backing of several PE investors, revealed a number of risks associated with rapid global growth in a filing for its US IPO.