Articles by Tim Burroughs
China equipment rental player gets $167m in equity, debt funding
Zhongneng United, a Chinese construction equipment supplier specializing in aerial work platforms, has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in equity funding as an extension to its Series B round and secured an additional RMB1 billion in bank financing.
Japan middle market: Going local
Private equity firms looking for an edge in Japan’s middle market are leveraging relationships with brokers and banks – including LPs in their funds – to access company founders in the hinterlands
TPG, Fosun sell China hospital business to Antony Leung's SPAC
TPG Capital and Fosun Pharma have agreed a $1.3 billion deal that will see Chinese hospital operator United Family Healthcare (UFH) absorbed by a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) established by Antony Leung, formerly Greater China chairman at...
Ascendent reaches $700m first close on third China fund
Ascendent Capital Partners has reached a first close of approximately $700 million on its third China fund, which will follow the existing strategy of building a relatively concentrated portfolio of minority and control investments.
China Renaissance collects $943m for renminbi fund
China Renaissance has closed the third renminbi-denominated fund raised under its flagship Huaxing Growth Capital arm with more than RMB6.5 billion ($943 million) in commitments.
China consumer: The low road
Pinduoduo's success in bringing e-commerce to China's lower-tier cities has inspired a host of other start-ups to do the same, but they must be mindful of broader consumer trends
Deal focus: Allegro secures stake in Australia radiology business
The doctors who own and operate Perth Radiologic Clinic know Allegro Funds from their time as a subsidiary of I-Med Networks. This familiarity helped the Australian GP secure one of its largest-ever deals
Gates Foundation, global insurers back Indonesia's Halodoc
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made a rare direct investment in Southeast Asia, participating in an extended Series B round for Indonesian healthcare technology provider Halodoc.
China’s SAIC Capital closes $145m auto industry fund
SAIC Capital, an investment manager controlled by Chinese automaker SAIC Motor, has raised a RMB1 billion ($145 million) fund that will target deals throughout the automotive industry supply chain.
KKR prepares for fundraising spree
KKR expects to begin raising its fourth Asian fund within the next 18 months as its three largest vehicles globally all come back to market.
Bain forms Asia data center platform
Bain Capital has become the latest private markets investor to back a pan-Asian data center platform with the merger of existing portfolio companies covering China, Southeast Asia, and India.
Q&A: Adamantem Capital's Anthony Kerwick
Anthony Kerwick, co-founder of Australian mid-market GP Adamantem Capital, discusses the challenges of setting up a new firm, the importance of future-proof investments, and Australia’s growing overseas angle
Deal focus: Olympus backs big plans for Thailand's smallest bank
Olympus Capital has paid $91 million for a 25% stake in microfinance and micro-SME lending specialist Thai Credit Retail Bank. It wants to double the loan book and support digitization of services
Australia establishes wine industry accelerator
South Australia is launching an accelerator program to help start-ups in the wine and tourism industries take advantage of new technologies.
IMM reaches $1.3b first close on Fund IV, strikes two deals
Korea’s IMM Private Equity has hit the $1.3 billion mark with a first close on its fourth fund, with contributions from international LPs added to the core domestic support. The manager has already put $450 million to work across two deals.
China's XVC raises $330m for Fund II
XVC, a Chinese early-stage investment firm established by Boyu Hu, formerly of DCM Ventures and Blue Lake Capital, has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund with around $330 million in commitments.
Shenzhen Capital seeks $290m for China healthcare fund
Shenzhen Capital Group is looking to raise upwards of RMB2 billion ($290 million) for its first healthcare fund as the Chinese venture capital firm continues efforts to diversify its product offering.
Global credit: Speed or scale?
The winners from a widely anticipated shakeout in global credit markets will be defined by different qualities. Direct lenders expect size to be a decisive factor, while distress players prioritize nimbleness
China tech board makes volatile debut
The initial batch of companies chosen to list on China’s technology innovation board – known as the Star Market – posted an average gain of 140% on their first day of trading on July 22, although almost all were pared back in the opening hours of...
Exit strategy: Good timing
KKR helps make the argument for realizing early exits when it supports a fundraising process, but LP reactions to this approach remain a mix of approval, suspicion and resignation
SoftBank Ventures Asia hits $269m first close on global fund
SoftBank Ventures Asia – previously known as SoftBank Ventures Korea – has reached a first close of KRW317.4 billion ($269 million) on a fund that will make early-stage investments globally with a focus on Asia.
Texas Teachers targets Asia growth with proposed Singapore office
Teacher Retirement System of Texas wants to use its planned Singapore base as a means of gaining direct access to private investments in the region – although the pension fund’s CIO said penetrating Asia would likely take longer than an earlier push...
Daiwa units form $30m Myanmar growth fund
The private equity and corporate investment units of Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group have established a $30 million fund that will target growth deals in Myanmar.
Alibaba leads Series D for China education start-up
Alibaba Group has led a $150 million Series D round of funding for Knowbox, a Chinese education start-up that develops a range of mobile apps aimed at students and teachers.