Articles by Allen Lee
Now is the time to open an Asian office
The last few years haev been among the most challenging for private equity. Armed with many of the best practices in the financial services, the industry emerged from the global financial crisis battered but not broken. And now, having turned the corner,...
China's rainmakers go solo
There have been many articles, books, discussions and conferences on Chinese entrepreneurism. This has come under the spotlight again with the recent wave of IPOs by mainland businesses in various bourses around the world. While many of these activities...
The benefits of making yourself heard
In a recent conversation with a prominent venture capitalist, I was asked about the value in speaking at an AVCJ event. For those of us in the company, it is almost a no-brainer.
Make space in your diary...
I am pleased to announce the official launch of our AVCJ Asian Private Equity & Venture Forum 2011 and this year’s conference rocks. I am obviously biased but our roster of speakers simply speaks for itself.
Is Australian private equity headed down under?
A recent report suggests that the high value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar is making life difficult – i.e. more expensive – for private equity funds, which tend to operate in the US currency. Taxes imposed by the government on asset...
The Winners Circle: 2011 AVCJ China Awards
Last Friday, at the closing luncheon of our highly successful AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum/China conference, we gave out our first ever dedicated awards focused on private equity and venture capital activity across China. Excited by the positive...
China's opportunity for RMB fund of funds
There is an opportunity for RMB-focused fund of funds in China says a panel of GPs and LPs at the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum China. According to Judy Ye, Director and Head of EMAlternatives Asia says that the composition of RMB capital in China...
Opportunities in cross border deals says John Zhao
In his keynote speech at the Asian Private Equity & Venture Forum in Beijing today, John Zhao, CEO of Hony Capital, shared his views on the Chinese private equity market. Zhao saw opportunities for private equity investors in cross-border deals. "Many...
Rising pressures in Chinese private equity
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, PRIVATE equity and venture capital firms have already established the industry as a credible source of financing for Chinese companies in need of capital. With the recent IPOs of Chinese entities, in particularly NASDAQ (that have...
AIF Capital adds three professionals
Well regarded middle market specialist AIF Capital has recently announced three additions to its team. The hires will bring the AIF professional headcount up to 27.
Qiming closes Fund III at $450 Million
Qiming Venture Partners has announced that it has closed its Qiming Ventures Fund III vehicle at $450 million. The close will bring Qiming's assets under management exceed $1 billion dollars from its debut in 2006.
Quantum joins VCs in Shanghai ad firm
Shanghai-based online advertising firm MediaV announced that it has successfully raised another $50 million from venture capital investors in its third round of funding. The round was led by Soro-affiliated Quantum Strategic Partners and supported by...
Morgan Stanley launch RMB fund JV with Hangzhou
Morgan Stanley, one of the most successful investors in China, has entered the RMB funds market with its own vehicle. Called the Morgan Stanley (China) Private Equity Investment Management Company Limited, the vehicle will be a joint venture with Hangzhou...
It’s a private equity world out there
FOR MANY OF OUR READERS, THE WORDS ‘private equity’ may be most well associated with the business their company is conducting, private equity investing. Although that is true, private equity has grown to encompass a bigger meaning, especially in a...
Playing Asia’s PE field
In a business where a small number of individuals make a big amount of impact, investors in Asian private equity are finding departures of senior dealmakers becoming more than a handful
Blackstone, Carlyle and DT Capital approved for QFLP pilot
Three private equity firms, Blackstone, the Carlyle Group and local representative DT Capital, have received approved from the Shanghai government for its Qualified Foreign Limited Partners (QFLP) scheme says a report by Reuters.
Australian cleaning company rejects private equity bid
Spotless Group, a ASX-listed Melbourne-based cleaning services company, has rejected a conditional $700 million bid from a private equity firm, Blackstone, reported by Reuters.
Private equity in China’s insurance sector
The growth of the insurance sector in China has rocketed in recent years with the potential still remaining tremendous and private equity has been in the center of this rise. And it has been a profitable relationship for GPs that are able to take stakes...
Warburg Pincus forms JV with portfolio company
New Delhi based hospitality firm, Lemon Tree Hotels, has formed INR1,400 crore ($315.4 million) joint venture, Oceanus Real Estate Pvt Ltd , with Warburg Pincus that will focus on housing project in India. Lemon Tree will own 51% of the JV with the private...
SAIF India invests in Firstcry.com
Perhaps better known for their China operations, SAIF Partners India, has made another bet in India’s fast growing e-commerce segment, investing $4 million in online kids and baby care products retailer, FirstCry.com.
CapAsia Invests in Kazakhstan Electricity Utility
Singapore-based private equity infrastructure investor CapAsia will invest $50 million in equity capital into Central Asian Power and Energy Company (CAPEC), a power company in Kazakhstan.
Sequoia invests in Chinese online retailer
Sequoia Capital has invested an undisclosed amount into China-based retailer and wholesaler Milanoo.com. According to a press statement, the invested funds will be used to strengthen the company's product supply system, optimize the online shopping platform...
Matrix India invests in water company
Matrix Partners India has recently announced that it has invested INR60 crore ($13.5 million) as the sole investor in the first institutional round of funding of Chetas Control Systems Private Limited (Chetas).
Victoria stops investing in PE
Victoria Funds Management Corporation, which manages funds for the State of Victoria, Australia, has announced that it will stop investing into private equity and will, instead, focus on infrastructure investing. The once-prominent limited partner, which...