Articles by Tim Burroughs
Deal focus: Macro headwinds weigh on Peoplebank exit
Not every investment works out as planned - often for reasons beyond the investor's control. Navis Capital Partners recently sold Australia-based IT and specialist recruiting firm Peoplebank to Japan's Recruit Holdings for A$68.6 million ($56.6 million)....
Deal-by-deal fundraising: Incremental approach
Deal-by-deal fundraising is on the rise in Asia, driven by the difficulties less experienced GPs face when raising a blind pool and LPs’ willingness to go direct. It’s a great strategy, provided you have momentum
China's Hillhouse raises $2b private equity fund - report
Chinese investment firm Hillhouse Capital Management is said to have raised a $2 billion fund that will be deployed in global private equity deals.
RRJ, IFC invest $85m in China Everbright Water
RRJ Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have agreed to subscribe to S$113.5 million ($85 million) in new shares issued by China Everbright Water, a Singapore-listed environmental protection and alternative energy business.
Infrastructure funds exit UK's Eversholt Rail to Cheung Kong
3i Infrastructure, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Star Capital Partners have agreed to sell Eversholt Rail Group, one of the UK’s three major rolling stock operators, to a consortium led by Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI)...
Facebook co-founder, Velos back India start-up Hopscotch
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Singapore-based Velos Partners have committed $11 million in Series B funding to Indian babywear and kidswear retailer Hopscotch.
Two partners leave Indonesia’s Saratoga Capital
Indonesia-focused GP Saratoga Capital has lost two of its five partners, with Eri Reksoprodjo departing the firm at the end of December and Nigel Khoo scheduled to leave in February.
Creador, SMRT seek buyout of Malaysia’s Masterskill Education
Creador and SMRT Holdings have agreed to buy a 30.75% stake in Malaysia-based Masterskill Education Group from the major shareholder for MYR69.4 million ($19.2 million) and now plan on completing a full buyout of the business.
China’s ClearVue in cross-border cosmetics investment
Chinese GP ClearVue Partners has teamed up with US-based Catterton to provide a round of funding for Intercos, a European manufacturer of cosmetics and skincare products that wants to expand in China.
VCs commit $100m to China app launcher Apus
Chengwei Ventures, SIG Ventures and Qiming Venture Partners have led a $100 million Series B round of funding for Apus, a Beijing-based company that has developed a suite of products intended to speed up Android operating systems.
SBCVC leads $20m in China education platform Xuexibao
SoftBank China Venture Capital (SBCVC) has led a Series B round of funding worth $20 million for Xuexibao, a Chinese online education platform. Existing investor GSR Ventures also participated.
Australian medical research fund backs antibody start-up
Solvanix, an Australian early-stage biotech company that has developed a technology for improving drug stability, has received A$2 million ($1.6 million) in seed funding from the Medical Research Commercialization Fund (MRCF).
Navis exits Australia's Peoplebank to Recruit Holdings
Navis Capital Partners has sold Australia-based IT and specialist recruiting firm Peoplebank to Japan’s Recruit Holdings for A$68.6 million ($56.6 million).
KKR’s McVey expects China restructuring, recapitalization opportunities
KKR expects to see increasing restructuring and recapitalization opportunities in China as the country’s role in the global economy adjusts, resulting in a sustained period of slower growth.
SoftBank leads $600m round for China taxi-booking app Kuaidi Dache
SoftBank Group has agreed to lead a $600 million round of investment for Travice, operator and developer of Chinese taxi-booking app Kuadi Dache, with participation from existing backers Alibaba Group and Tiger Global Management.
TA buys stake in India SaaS provider RateGain
TA Associates has taken a minority stake in RateGain, an India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that works with clients in the hospitality and travel sector.
Mobile app analytics firm App Annie raises $55m from VCs
App Annie, a mobile app analytics platform that was set up in Beijing but has since expanded globally, has raised a Series D round of funding worth $55 million, led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
KKR's long-term India real estate solution
When KKR set up its first India-based non-banking financial company (NBFC) in 2009 to provide structured credit solutions to entrepreneurs, it was funded off the firm's own balance sheet. A few years on, it was reported that third-party investors were...
Investors back WeLab’s financial innovation
For Hong Kong-based financial technology start-up WeLab, setting up a peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform was never the priority. Rather, the company wanted to develop and leverage its capabilities in the design of internet finance products and big data...
4Q analysis: Still selling
Trade sales keep the exit market ticking over; big ticket tech deals make their presence felt, but buyouts dominate the investment environment; weakness in China pegs back Asia fundraising
Japan's GPIF: Situations vacant
Hiro Mizuno is an intriguing choice as the first CIO of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). His qualifications are not about to be questioned here, but rather what his appointment means as the Japanese behemoth prepares to add helpings...
Cheetah Mobile plans fund to support Taiwan start-ups
Cheetah Mobile, formerly Kingsoft Corporation’s internet security software division, plans to set up a NT$100 million ($3.1 million) fund to invest in Taiwan-based mobile internet start-ups.
VIDEO: Advantage Partners' Richard Folsom
With an increasing number of Japanese companies looking to expand overseas, strategies to support these efforts feature more prominently in Advantage Partners' investment theses, according to Richard Folsom, the Tokyo-based GP's representative partner
Carlyle promotes Hiroyuki Otsuka to partner in Japan
The Carlyle Group has promoted Hiroyuki Otsuka, a member of its Japan buyout team, to partner as part of global round of 59 appointments, including five in Asia.