Articles by Tim Burroughs
Indonesia's GP landscape: Slim pickings
While the number of GPs active in Indonesian venture capital has mushroomed in recent years, there has been no change on the private equity side. The market suffers from talent and perception issues
1Q analysis: Whale watching
KKR’s first close dominates fundraising activity, but mid-market showing still impresses; Japan leads the way as Asia exits remain reasonably strong; investment slows, if China state-backed deals are ignored
Tianjin government launches $14.5b guidance fund
The Tianjin government is looking to raise RMB100 billion ($14.5 billion) for a renminbi-denominated fund intended to stimulate private investment in pillar industries such as high-end manufacturing, information technology and aerospace.
Japan's GPIF makes call for alternatives managers
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has made its first call for applications from alternatives managers, with a view to backing fund-of-funds across private equity, infrastructure and real estate.
Indonesia VC: Corporate kingpins
The corporates and family groups that dominate Indonesia’s economy are becoming increasingly active in the VC space. To independent GPs, they are more friend than foe, but agendas and approaches vary
Australia's First Super halts PE investments
First Super, an Australian pension fund that represents workers in the timber, pulp and paper and furniture and joinery industries, has suspended its PE investment program over concerns about poor labor practices in portfolio companies.
China auto trading platform Souche gets $180m Series D
Warburg Pincus has led a $180 million Series D round of funding for Chinese online second-hand car trading platform Souche, less than five months after the company’s previous round worth $100 million.
Adamantem buys New Zealand's Heritage Lifecare
Adamantem Capital, an Australia-based mid-market PE firm set by former executives from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), has acquired New Zealand’s Heritage Lifecare for an enterprise valuation of NZ$115 million ($80 million).
Banyan raises $725m across US dollar, renminbi funds
Banyan Capital has raised more than RMB5 billion ($725) million across two China-focused venture capital funds – one US dollar-denominated and the other in renminbi.
The devil you know: PE and Southeast Asian entrepreneurs
Due to a shortage of companies in Southeast Asia that have proved themselves capable of working private equity, when GPs identify a group they like it is not uncommon for them to work together more than once
Pay rises level off in Asian private equity - survey
The increases in private equity compensation seen at all levels in recent years appear to be abating, with only about one third of industry professionals reporting a jump in base salary in 2016 over the previous year.
Japan's Tokio Marine closes Fund V at $466m
Tokio Marine Capital has reached a final close of JPY51.7 billion ($466 million) on its fifth Japan mid-market fund on the back of strong support from domestic LPs, notably regional banks.
Deal focus: KKR returns to Masan, PENM exits
KKR will team up with Vietnam's Masan Group for a second time, committing $250 million to the parent and its meat industry subsidiary. The GP's entry facilitates a partial exit for long-standing investor PENM Partners
Asia fundraising: Retail channels
Private equity firms keen to diversify their LP bases are looking to establish relations with Asia’s high net worth segment, and the private banks and wealth managers who facilitate access to this community
KKR secures $5.8b first close on third Asian fund
KKR has reached a first close of just under $5.8 billion on its third pan-Asian fund. The vehicle has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion, with a further $700 million in commitments from the firm’s balance sheet and management team.
Sequoia India leads Series C for Australia's HealthEngine
Sequoia Capital India has made its debut investment in an Australia-based start-up, leading a A$26.7 million ($20.2 million) Series C round of funding for HealthEngine, an online healthcare marketplace.
KKR commits $250 million to second Vietnam consumer play
KKR has entered into a second partnership with Masan Group – just over a year after exiting the first with a more than 2x return – through a $250 million commitment to the Vietnamese conglomerate and its branded meat subsidiary.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns April 5
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on April 4 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Ching Ming Festival.
PEP, CHAMP win approval for New Zealand acquisitions
Pacific Equity Partners’ (PEP) acquisition of food supplier Leader Products and CHAMP Private Equity’s purchase of several shipping and freight assets have won regulatory approval in New Zealand.
Oceanwide, IDG Capital complete purchase of International Data Group
China Oceanwide Holdings has completed its acquisition of International Data Group (IDG) and now holds a 90% stake in the target’s operating business, with IDG Capital owning the remaining 10%.
GE Ventures backs Hong Kong digital logistics business
GE Ventures, the VC arm of General Electric, has led a $25 million extended Series B round of funding for Freightos, a Hong Kong-based logistics technology company. It brings total funding for the business to $50 million.
Park life: Chinese investors target theme parks
From Wanda Group to Walt Disney, China is filling up with theme parks. Investors see it as an opportunity to marry real estate development with the evolving consumption patterns
Apax commits $388m to Guotai Junan's Hong Kong IPO
Apax Partners has agreed to invest $388 million in Guotai Junan Securities as the largest cornerstone investor in the Chinese brokerage’s HK$16.5 billion ($2.1 billion) Hong Kong IPO.
Providence to scale back India operations
Providence Equity Partners, which invests globally in communications and media-related companies, is scaling back its India business, with country head Biswajit Subramanian (pictured) set to leave the firm.