Articles by Tim Burroughs
Vietnam: Growth agenda
Comparisons with the dynamics in China a decade ago are often used to illustrate Vietnam's potential. The country may replicate some of its larger neighbor's success, but patience and reform remain paramount
Hony backs $7.8b EIG bid for Australia's Santos
EIG Global Energy Partners has made a $10.4 billion buyout offer for Australia-listed oil and gas supplier Santos. It is supported by two Chinese groups, private equity firm Hony Capital and gas distributor ENN Group.
Bain-led Toshiba carve-out approved by Chinese regulators
A consortium led by Bain Capital Private Equity has won approval for the acquisition of Toshiba Memory Corporation (TMC) from China’s antitrust authorities, clearing the last major obstacle to the JPY2 trillion ($17.8 billion) transaction closing.
Vietnam GPs: Five's company
Vietnam’s incumbent domestic private equity firms have all been in operation for more than a decade. Do LPs have enough confidence in the market to support the launch of additional managers?
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving Fortune Capital, Sina Weibo, Sequoia Capital China, ChinaEquity Group, Cornerstone Capital, Geekbeans Capital, Atlas Capital, and Heyi Capital
Vision Plus raises $500m for China VC funds
Vision Plus Capital Partners, a Chinese venture capital firm set up by one of the co-founders of Alibaba Group, has raised $500 million for its second US dollar and renminbi-denominated funds.
DCP to invest in Chinese heart valve developer
DCP Capital Partners, a private equity firm set up by the former heads of KKR’s China business, has agreed to invest an undisclosed sum in domestic heart valve developer Venus Medtech.
Chinese autonomous driving start-up gets $128m Series A
Roadstar.ai, a Chinese start-up that specializes in autonomous driving technology, has received $128 million in Series A funding led by Shenzhen Capital Group and Wu Capital.
Vietnam IPOs: A bigger bourse
A string of large-cap IPOs has brought international investors and credibility to Vietnam public equities. Despite a few local peculiarities, the market is on a path towards modernization
Q&A: IDG Ventures Vietnam's Henry Nguyen
Start-ups are attracting more attention in Vietnam as technology-oriented business models take root and local success stories emerge. Henry Nguyen of IDG Ventures Vietnam maps out the landscape
Blackstone makes $217m partial exit from India's Mphasis
The Blackstone Group has made a partial exit from Indian IT services provider Mphasis, selling an 8% stake in the publicly traded company for approximately INR14.8 billion ($217 million).
Japan's Advantage closes debut Asia fund at $380m
Japanese GP Advantage Partners has closed its first Asia-focused fund with total commitments of $380 million. Investments have already been made in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Japanese unicorn Mercari targets $1b IPO, VCs set for exits
Mercari, a venture capital-backed Japanese consumer-to-consumer marketplace that became the country’s first unicorn in 2016, plans to raise up to JPY110 billion ($1 billion) through a domestic IPO.
Brookfield enters the fray for Australia’s Healthscope
Brookfield Asset Management has submitted a A$4.35 billion ($3.3 billion) bid for Australian hospital operator Healthscope, trumping an offer made last month by a BGH Capital-led consortium.
India's True North to buy stake in Federal Bank NBFC
True North has agreed to buy a 26% stake in Fedbank Financial Services (Fedfina), a non-banking financial company (NBFC) controlled by India’s Federal Bank.
Korea's Crescendo makes partial exit from Model Solution
South Korean GP Crescendo Equity Partners has agreed to make a partial exit from precision prototype manufacturer Model Solution as part of a deal that will see Hankook Tire assume control of the business.
VC-backed Huya gains on US trading debut after $180m IPO
Huya, a Chinese game broadcasting business that spun out from social networking platform YY, gained 33.8% on its New York Stock Exchange trading debut following a $180 million IPO.
Chinese restaurant services app receives $63m
Mwee.cn, a Chinese restaurant booking app, has raised RMB400 million ($63 million) in the first tranche of a Series D funding round led by Koubei, Alibaba Group’s local services platform, and travel services business Ctrip.
Tech entrepreneurs and family offices: Collective might
Investment firms are emerging in Asia that leverage the collective wealth, knowledge and networks of the region's most successful internet entrepreneurs. These are family offices, but not necessarily in the traditional Western model
Fund focus: HQ prepares for Asia secondary surge
Having raised $250 million for an Asia secondary fund, HQ Capital remains the only global multi-strategy firm with a vehicle dedicated to the region. It expects a significant uptick in deal flow over the next few years
Permira postpones Asia fundraise
Permira has put plans for a debut Asia fund on hold as it prioritizes managing existing portfolio companies in the region. The firm was talking to investors about raising $1.5 billion.
Chinese long-term property rental players get PE funding
Two more Chinese online long-term property rental platforms – Uoko.com and Baletu.com – have received private equity funding as young people opt to rent rather than buy in a climate of high property prices.
Sequoia leads $40m round for Hong Kong biotech player
Sequoia Capital China has led a $40 million Series B round of funding for MabSpace Bioscience, a Hong Kong-headquartered drug developer that specializes in cancer treatments.
Australia's BGH closes debut fund at $2b hard cap
BGH Capital, the Australia and New Zealand-focused private equity firm set up by Ben Gray (pictured), formerly co-head of TPG Capital in Asia, has closed its debut fund at the hard cap of around A$2.6 billion ($2 billion).