Articles by Tim Burroughs
Hong Kong's Future Fund to set up tech investment pool
A HKD 5bn (USD 640m) strategic tech fund will be established under Hong Kong’s Future Fund as part of an initiative to make direct investments that underpin the territory’s status as a hub for finance, commerce, and innovation as well as generate returns....
Sequoia, Legend back China autonomous driving player Inceptio
Sequoia Capital China and Legend Capital have led a USD 188m Series B extension for Inceptio, a Chinese autonomous driving technology developer that specialises in line-haul trucking.
Baring Asia completes $386m recap of CitiusTech
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has completed a USD 385.9m dividend recap and refinancing of loans tied to its 2019 acquisition of India-based healthcare IT services business CitiusTech.
Pakistan fintech player NayaPay gets $13m seed round
NayaPay, a Pakistan-based financial technology start-up has secured USD 13m in what is claimed to be one of the country’s largest-ever seed rounds.
Investcorp seeks $400m for India private equity fund
Investcorp is targeting USD 400m for its third India private equity fund as part of efforts to quadruple its assets under management (AUM) in the country to USD 2bn within six years.
Korea's Biorchestra gets $45m Series C
Biorchestra, a Korea-based drug developer specialising in RNA therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, has closed a Series C funding round of KRW 54bn (USD 45m).
India's IvyCap secures foreign LP backing for Fund III first close
India’s IvyCap Ventures is progressing on efforts to diversify its LP base, with 15% of the first close commitments in Fund III coming from international investors, while many of its domestic institutional backers re-upped.
Ex-Hostplus PE head launches state-level early-stage fund
V-Ignite, an investment firm established by the former PE and VC head at Australian superannuation fund Hostplus, is looking to raise AUD 120m (USD 86m) for a fund-of-funds that will support managers in the state of Victoria.
Apis doubles down on Asia rewards, incentives space
Apis Partners has backed India-based rewards and incentives start-up Xoxoday through a USD 30m joint investment with Giift, one of its portfolio companies.
Warburg Pincus commits $210m to India medical devices business
Warburg Pincus has acquired a minority interest in Micro Life Sciences, the parent company of India-headquartered medical devices manufacturer Meril, for approximately USD 210m.
PEP targets $742m for second Australia secure assets fund
Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is preparing to launch its second secured assets with an AUD 1bn (USD 724m) target while planning to spin out one of the top-performing Fund I investments into a single-asset continuation vehicle.
Ex-OTPP Asia head named CalPERS CIO
Nicole Musicco, a former Asia Pacific head of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), has been appointed CIO of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
Infrastructure: Out of the comfort zone
Infrastructure managers in Australia are pushing into the PE space, competing with GPs for assets and buying businesses from them. It falls under the core-plus umbrella, but is the definition being stretched too far?
AVCJ Awards 2021: Exit of the Year – Large Cap: Softex Indonesia
CVC Capital Partners helped Softex Indonesia grow its market share by penetrating modern retail channels and launching an ESG program. A USD 1.2bn trade sale exit to Kimberly-Clark was its reward
AVCJ Awards 2021: Operational Value Add: Best & Less Group
Allegro Funds plucked Australian baby and kids retailer Best & Less from its underperforming parent and defied pandemic-related uncertainty to complete a turnaround that culminated in an IPO
IFM's decarbonisation credentials attract Australian LPs
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed AUD 80m (USD 57.5m) to IFM Investors’ mid-market growth fund, which achieved a second close of AUD 380m at the end of 2021.
Hong Kong game developer 6Waves bought by European strategic
6Waves, a Hong Kong-based mobile game developer that previously received funding from Insight Partners, has been acquired by Swedish gaming studio Stillfront Group for USD 201m, comprising cash and shares.
ADIA leads $210m Series E for India's DealShare
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has contributed USD 45m to a USD 210m Series E round for Indian social e-commerce start-up DealShare at a valuation of USD 1.7bn.
India's Chiratae seeks USD 700m for VC, growth funds
Chiratae Ventures is looking to raise USD 700m for deployment in India’s technology sector with the addition of an opportunity fund – to participate in mid to late-stage rounds – alongside its core VC vehicle.
Silver Lake wins approval for New Zealand rugby deal
Silver Lake has won approval for a NZD 200m (USD 134m) investment in the commercial arm of New Zealand rugby, reflecting a recent upswing in global private equity involvement in sport in Asia.
SE Asia commerce finance platform Akulaku gets $100m
Akulaku, an Indonesia-based digital finance platform backed by the likes of Qiming Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital India, has received a USD 100m investment from Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
Blackstone buys majority stake in Indian wealth manager
The Blackstone Group has acquired a majority stake in Indian wealth manager Ask Investment Managers, taking out positions held by Advent International and other investors.
Australia impact GP hits $48m first close on debut fund
Australian impact investment firm For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP) has reached a first close of AUD 67m (USD 48m) on its debut fund, which has an overall target of AUD 250m.
Fund focus: Ion Pacific goes institutional
Pitching a niche VC capital secondaries strategy with a meaningful focus on Asia isn’t easy, but Ion Pacific raised nearly 4x more than last time with large family offices well-represented in the LP base