Articles by Tim Burroughs
Australian regulator questions Platinum's OfficeMax acquisition
Platinum Equity’s acquisition of OfficeMax in Australia and New Zealand – which came shortly after the GP agreed to buy the regional operations of Staples – has been flagged by Australian regulators due to concerns that it could lessen competition...
AVCJ Awards 2017 - nominations have closed
Nominations for the 2017 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards have now closed. Many thanks for your participation.
Fundraising: The LP angle
On a recent US trip North American LPs shared their views of the institutional funding zeitgeist
Portfolio: The Rohatyn Group and BHC
The Rohatyn Group bought Korean fried chicken franchise BHC in 2013 with a view to ironing out inefficiencies, broadening brand appeal, and pursuing bolt-on acquisitions. It has made progress in each area
Mekong commits $4.9m to Vietnam education provider
Mekong Capital has invested $4.9 million for a minority stake in Yola, a Vietnam-based education services provider specializing in overseas test preparation and English language training.
CHAMP exits Australian mining, infrastructure services business
CHAMP Private Equity has sold Golding Group, an Australia-based provider of mining and civil infrastructure services that it has owned since 2008, to rival contractor NRW Holdings at an enterprise valuation of A$85 million ($66.9 million).
Australian regulator queries PE-backed childcare merger
Australia’s competition regulator has expressed concerns about the merger of outside school care providers Camp Australia and Junior Adventures Group (JAG), both of which are private equity-owned.
KKR opens Shanghai office
KKR has opened an office in Shanghai, its third base in Greater China and eighth in Asia Pacific. The move comes two months after the firm closed its third pan-regional fund at $9.3 billion.
EmergeVest secures 2x return on first exit
EmergeVest, a Hong Kong-based boutique PE firm established by two former executives from HSBC’s Asia principal investments division, has secured its first exit with the sale of apparel supplier JD United Manufacturing (JDU) to Taiwan-listed Roo Hsing.
Co-working spaces: Space jam
Amid the proliferation of co-working spaces in Asia and soaring valuations, investors must prepare for the inevitable industry shakeout
China dairy: Gone sour?
China’s dairy industry has experienced a dramatic fall from grace, driven by overhype at home and lower prices overseas. Investors that got in at the top of the market are considering their options
General Atlantic hires ex-ambassador to boost SE Asia coverage
General Atlantic has named its second Asia-based special advisor in a month with the appointment of John A. Prasetio (pictured) to help develop business opportunities in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia.
Blue Sky buys New Zealand tour operator
A consortium led by Blue Sky Alternative Investments has bought Active Adventures, a New Zealand-based company that offers guided activity-based trips in Nepal, Europe, and South America, as well as in its home country.
General Atlantic acquires India's Karvy Computershare
General Atlantic has acquired a significant stake in India-based share registry business Karvy Computershare, providing a full exit for Australia-listed Computershare and taking out part of the position held by the company founder.
Startupbootcamp launches Australia accelerator
Startupbootcamp has extended its network of industry-focused accelerators to 21 across 16 cities with the launch of a program for energy sector start-ups in Melbourne.
TA to buy stake in New Zealand's Fisher Funds
TA Associates will take a minority stake in Fisher Funds, New Zealand’s fifth-largest fund manager, following a move by The TSB Community Trust to assume full ownership of the business.
NYSTRS to invest $100m in ADV's second Asia fund
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has disclosed a commitment of $100 million to ADV Partners’ second Asian special situations fund. The PE firm closed its debut vehicle at $545 million in 2015.
Q&A: Permira's Alex Emery
Alex Emery, head of Asia at Permira, on global funds versus regional funds, escalations in dry powder and deal size, and how to lay the ground for when the current bull run inevitably comes to an end
Hong Kong tax: Still no certainty
The Financial Services Development Council has criticized Hong Kong's tax exemption for offshore PE funds - and with good reason. It remains to be seen if regulators have the will to respond the group's proposals
CMIA, Malaysian asset manager acquire Muslim-focused app
CMIA Capital Partners and Malaysia-based Affin Hwang Asset Management have acquired Bitsmedia Holdings, best known for operating an app that provides Muslims with accurate prayer times.
Secondary buyouts: Peer to peer
Maligned by some investors, sponsor-to-sponsor deals are gradually becoming more prevalent in Asia as the private equity industry matures. What is the early verdict?
Singapore's Prestellar raises $100m VC fund
Prestellar Ventures, a Singapore-based GP backed by two Nepalese companies as well as Indian microfinance institution Satin Creditcare and India-focused investor Frontline Strategies, has raised a $100 million fund.
I Squared agrees $1.9b deal for Hutchison's fixed-line business
Infrastructure specialist I Squared Capital has agreed to buy the fixed-line telecom business of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Telecommunications, which is controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing, for approximately HK$14.5 billion ($1.85 billion).
PennSERS commits $100m to Asia Alternatives
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has extended its long-standing relationship with Asia Alternatives, allocating $50 million to the firm’s latest fund-of-funds product and a further $50 million to a separate account.