Articles by Tim Burroughs
Deal focus: Proterra's alternative take on incubation
Early-stage bets on oat milk and healthy beverages in Asia by Proterra Investment Partners reflect a willingness to back nascent brands, but in doing so, the firm believes it is dialling down the risk
Deal focus: Indonesia's fintech plumber
Brick is developing backend digital infrastructure so that financial technology start-ups in Southeast Asia can provide seamless services. Priorities include deepening functionality and geographic expansion
AVCJ Awards 2021: Firm of the Year – Large Cap: Baring Private Equity Asia
Baring Private Equity Asia claims that a thematic approach to origination and flexibility on deal structure allow it to pursue opportunities with greater conviction in a high-valuation environment
KKR to raise Asia growth fund in 2022
KKR expects to raise a growth-stage fund in Asia – first flagged more than two years ago – in 2022 as part of ongoing efforts to boost its presence in the region across multiple strategies.
Coller secures $1.4b for global credit secondaries fund
Coller Capital has raised approximately USD 1.4bn for its debut global private credit secondaries fund, said to be the largest pool of capital dedicated to the strategy.
Indonesia's AC Ventures hires Helen Wong as venture partner
Helen Wong, previously a China and Southeast Asia-focused partner at GGV Ventures and Qiming Venture Partners, has joined Indonesia’s AC Ventures as a senior advisor and venture partner.
Korea's Shinsegae raises another $251m for e-commerce platform
SSG.com, the e-commerce platform of South Korean retailer Shinsegae Group, raised an additional KRW 300bn (USD 251m) from existing backers Affinity Equity Partners and BRV Capital Management.
Blackstone agrees $6.3b buyout of Australian casino operator
Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has agreed to an acquisition by The Blackstone Group at an equity valuation of AUD 8.9bn (USD 6.34bn), ending a nearly one-year pursuit.
Longreach expands Japan coffee shop footprint
The Longreach Group has completed a third investment in Japan’s coffee shop space with the acquisition of Pokka Create Corporation, which operates more than 200 stores under the Café de Crie brand.
India logistics player Xpressbees raises $300m
The Blackstone Group, TPG Capital, and ChrysCapital Partners have participated in a USD 300m round for Xpressbees, an Indian logistics start-up established by the team behind mother-and-baby retailer FirstCry.
Australia's Quadrant recruits KKR managing director
Australian mid-market GP Quadrant Private Equity is adding a fourth managing partner with the recruitment of Gareth Woodbridge from KKR.
India B2B e-commerce player ElasticRun hits $1.5b valuation
Unicorn creation continues apace in India, with B2B e-commerce marketplace ElasticRun becoming the seventh company to achieve a USD 1bn since the start of the year, following the close of a USD 300m Series E round.
Proterra establishes Asian oat milk brand
Proterra Investment Partners, a private equity firm that targets natural resources like food and agriculture, has launched an oat milk brand for the Asian market.
India's Kedaara creates digital services platform
India’s Kedaara Capital is forming an outsourced digital services platform through the merger of Gavs Technologies and Great Software Laboratory (GS Lab), having acquired majority interests in the two companies over the past three months.
AVCJ Awards 2021: Special Achievement: Weijian Shan
Weijian Shan, CEO of PAG, discusses rising valuations, the implications of China’s regulatory crackdown, heightened sensitivity around social responsibility, and escalating fund sizes
AVCJ Awards 2021: Firm of the Year – Mid Cap: Quadrant Private Equity
Quadrant Private Equity’s recent deals have focused on defensive, non-cyclical sectors, but the Australian GP continues to track a consumer story driven by technology and new modes of delivery
Asia agglomeration: Strength in numbers?
PE-backed agglomeration platforms are looking to buy up consumer brands in Asia with a view to leveraging the might of the collective. The model requires discipline in selection and execution
Q&A: AirTree Ventures' John Henderson
Q&A: AirTree Ventures’ John Henderson DECK Australia-based AirTree Ventures has established a crypto-focused vehicle alongside its latest fund. John Henderson, a partner at the firm, explained how they think about the Web3 opportunity
Gobi-managed Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund hits first close
Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund II, a Greater Bay Area-focused vehicle managed by Gobi Partners, reached a first close of USD 100m at the end of June 2021 and total commitments now stand at USD 120m.
Apollo commits $125m to India's Hero FinCorp
Apollo Global Management has invested USD 125m in Hero FinCorp, an Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC) controlled by local two-wheeler manufacturer Hero Motorcorp.
LionRock launches Hong Kong SPAC
LionRock Capital, an Asian private equity firm that invests in global consumer brands with a China growth angle, is among the first group of sponsors launching special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in Hong Kong.
Nestle buys into DCP-backed plant-based protein provider
Orgain, a US plant-based nutrition business backed by China’s DCP Capital Partners, has agreed to sell a majority stake to Nestle. The size of the transaction was not disclosed.
Australia's AirTree collects $494m for fourth fund
AirTree Ventures has completed the largest-ever venture capital fundraise in Australia and New Zealand, gathering AUD 700m (USD 494m) across three vehicles.
Fund focus: Asia Alternatives rides out chaos
Regulatory tumult in China has not materially shaken LP faith in Asia Alternatives or the fund-of-fund manager’s commitment to China – but an increased India allocation is likely in the latest vintage