Articles by Tim Burroughs
Singapore's Prestellar raises $100m VC fund
Prestellar Ventures, a Singapore-based GP backed by two Nepalese companies as well as Indian microfinance institution Satin Creditcare and India-focused investor Frontline Strategies, has raised a $100 million fund.
I Squared agrees $1.9b deal for Hutchison's fixed-line business
Infrastructure specialist I Squared Capital has agreed to buy the fixed-line telecom business of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Telecommunications, which is controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing, for approximately HK$14.5 billion ($1.85 billion).
PennSERS commits $100m to Asia Alternatives
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has extended its long-standing relationship with Asia Alternatives, allocating $50 million to the firm’s latest fund-of-funds product and a further $50 million to a separate account.
Alternatives: Times of plenty
The Willis Towers Watson global alternatives survey offers few surprises in terms of where investors are putting their capital, but there are some interesting developments in which investors are providing it
PAG to raise $500m China growth fund
PAG Asia Capital is raising a $500 million China growth fund, which will enable the firm to target middle-market deals that fall below the minimum check size for its pan-Asian vehicle.
Hong Kong advisory body criticizes ineffective PE tax policy
Hong Kong’s tax exemption for offshore private equity funds – introduced with a view to encouraging managers to expand their presence in the territory – has failed to deliver, according to the advisory body that made detailed proposals as to how the legislation...
Korea's SK invests $334m in PE-backed e-Shang Redwood
Korean conglomerate SK Group has agreed to invest KRW372 billion ($334 million) in pan-Asian logistics player e-Shang Redwood (ESR), valuing the private equity-backed business at approximately $2.8 billion.
LP interview: Allstate Investments
Allstate Investments has gradually increased its exposure to private equity – and Asia specifically – over the last 12 years or so, but the current bullishness around the asset class is cause for concern
Mekong makes partial exit from Vietnam's Loc Troi
Mekong Capital has made a partial exit from Loc Troi Group – formerly known as An Giang Plant Protection – as the Vietnamese agribusiness player went public. The company is also backed by Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) and PENM Partners.
Carlyle targets $5b for Asia buyout fund
The Carlyle Group is looking to raise $5 billion for its fifth Asia buyout fund. The private equity firm closed its previous pan-regional vehicle at $3.9 billion in 2014 after more than two years of fundraising.
SoftBank, Didi Chuxing invest $2b in Southeast Asia's Grab
Southeast Asian ride-hailing app operator Grab has received $2 billion from SoftBank and Chinese peer Didi Chuxing as part of what is expected to be a $2.5 billion funding round.
Japan's Marubeni buys beef supplier from US GP
Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp. has acquired Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, a US-based supplier of beef and pork products, from Sun Capital Partners.
Carlyle, SBI buy GE Capital's stake in India credit card unit
The Carlyle Group and State Bank of India (SBI) have agreed to buy SBI Card, India’s second-largest credit card franchise, from GE Capital – the latest in a string of private equity transactions in Asia arising from General Electric’s decision to pare...
Bain to make partial exit from Japanese mushroom producer
Bain Capital Private Equity has agreed to sell a 49% in Yukiguni Maitake, a Japanese mushroom producer, to domestic food company Shinmei. The size of the transaction was not disclosed.
Chinese GP to buy Camtek's printed circuit board business
Chinese private equity firm Principle Capital has agreed to buy the printed circuit board (PCB) business of Israel-based semiconductor component manufacturer Camtek for $35 million.
Asian club deals: Big ambitions
A resurgence in club deal activity has proven symptomatic of the evolution of Asia's private equity buyout market. But while the structure and the nature of deals has changed, the underlying rationale remains fixed
Korea's NPS loses CIO
The CIO of South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS) has submitted his resignation, seven months before the end of his two-year tenure.
PE increases share of $4t global alternatives pool - survey
Assets held by the world’s 100 largest managers increased 10% to $4.01 trillion in 2016 as growth in commitments to private equity, real estate, and credit more than offset a decline in hedge funds. Approximately 8% of these assets are invested in Asia...
Hamilton Lane opens Australia office
Hamilton Lane has opened an office in Sydney and hired James Martin, who previously spent five years at Partners Group focusing on institutional sales and deal origination, to lead local operations.
Creador buys minority stake in Indian hospital chain
Creador has paid INR2.75 billion ($42 million) for a minority stake in Paras Healthcare, which manages a chain of five hospitals in northern India.
Shareholders approve $6.8b PE buyout of Belle International
Belle International, China’s largest women’s shoe retailer, is set to de-list from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after shareholders approved a HK$53.1 billion ($6.8 billion) take-private offer from Hillhouse Capital and CDH Investments.
C-Bridge closes second China healthcare fund at $400m
C-Bridge, a Chinese private equity firm that concentrates on late-stage growth capital and buyout opportunities in the healthcare space, has closed its second fund at the hard cap of $400 million.
KKR's Joe Bae elevated to senior leadership role
Joe Bae (pictured), who has spent the last 12 years building out KKR’s Asian operation, has been named co-president and co-COO of the firm as co-founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts prepare to hand over leadership to the next generation.
KKR to invest $200m in Indian hospital operator
KKR has agreed to invest approximately $200 million for a 49% stake in India-based Radiant Life Care with a view to helping the specialty hospital operator expand its network of facilities nationwide.