Articles by Tim Burroughs
India's Chiratae seeks USD 700m for VC, growth funds
Chiratae Ventures is looking to raise USD 700m for deployment in India’s technology sector with the addition of an opportunity fund – to participate in mid to late-stage rounds – alongside its core VC vehicle.
Silver Lake wins approval for New Zealand rugby deal
Silver Lake has won approval for a NZD 200m (USD 134m) investment in the commercial arm of New Zealand rugby, reflecting a recent upswing in global private equity involvement in sport in Asia.
SE Asia commerce finance platform Akulaku gets $100m
Akulaku, an Indonesia-based digital finance platform backed by the likes of Qiming Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital India, has received a USD 100m investment from Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
Blackstone buys majority stake in Indian wealth manager
The Blackstone Group has acquired a majority stake in Indian wealth manager Ask Investment Managers, taking out positions held by Advent International and other investors.
Australia impact GP hits $48m first close on debut fund
Australian impact investment firm For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP) has reached a first close of AUD 67m (USD 48m) on its debut fund, which has an overall target of AUD 250m.
Deal focus: Proterra’s alternative take on incubation
Early-stage bets on oat milk and healthy beverages in Asia by Proterra Investment Partners reflect a willingness to back nascent brands, but in doing so, the firm believes it is dialling down the risk
Deal focus: Indonesia’s fintech plumber
Brick is developing backend digital infrastructure so that financial technology start-ups in Southeast Asia can provide seamless services. Priorities include deepening functionality and geographic expansion
Fund focus: Ion Pacific goes institutional
Pitching a niche VC capital secondaries strategy with a meaningful focus on Asia isn’t easy, but Ion Pacific raised nearly 4x more than last time with large family offices well-represented in the LP base
AVCJ Awards 2021: Firm of the Year – Large Cap: Baring Private Equity Asia
Baring Private Equity Asia claims that a thematic approach to origination and flexibility on deal structure allow it to pursue opportunities with greater conviction in a high-valuation environment
KKR to raise Asia growth fund in 2022
KKR expects to raise a growth-stage fund in Asia – first flagged more than two years ago – in 2022 as part of ongoing efforts to boost its presence in the region across multiple strategies.
Coller secures $1.4b for global credit secondaries fund
Coller Capital has raised approximately USD 1.4bn for its debut global private credit secondaries fund, said to be the largest pool of capital dedicated to the strategy.
Indonesia's AC Ventures hires Helen Wong as venture partner
Helen Wong, previously a China and Southeast Asia-focused partner at GGV Ventures and Qiming Venture Partners, has joined Indonesia’s AC Ventures as a senior advisor and venture partner.
Korea's Shinsegae raises another $251m for e-commerce platform
SSG.com, the e-commerce platform of South Korean retailer Shinsegae Group, raised an additional KRW 300bn (USD 251m) from existing backers Affinity Equity Partners and BRV Capital Management.
Blackstone agrees $6.3b buyout of Australian casino operator
Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has agreed to an acquisition by The Blackstone Group at an equity valuation of AUD 8.9bn (USD 6.34bn), ending a nearly one-year pursuit.
Longreach expands Japan coffee shop footprint
The Longreach Group has completed a third investment in Japan’s coffee shop space with the acquisition of Pokka Create Corporation, which operates more than 200 stores under the Café de Crie brand.
India logistics player Xpressbees raises $300m
The Blackstone Group, TPG Capital, and ChrysCapital Partners have participated in a USD 300m round for Xpressbees, an Indian logistics start-up established by the team behind mother-and-baby retailer FirstCry.
Australia's Quadrant recruits KKR managing director
Australian mid-market GP Quadrant Private Equity is adding a fourth managing partner with the recruitment of Gareth Woodbridge from KKR.
India B2B e-commerce player ElasticRun hits $1.5b valuation
Unicorn creation continues apace in India, with B2B e-commerce marketplace ElasticRun becoming the seventh company to achieve a USD 1bn since the start of the year, following the close of a USD 300m Series E round.
Proterra establishes Asian oat milk brand
Proterra Investment Partners, a private equity firm that targets natural resources like food and agriculture, has launched an oat milk brand for the Asian market.
India's Kedaara creates digital services platform
India’s Kedaara Capital is forming an outsourced digital services platform through the merger of Gavs Technologies and Great Software Laboratory (GS Lab), having acquired majority interests in the two companies over the past three months.
AVCJ Awards 2021: Special Achievement: Weijian Shan
Weijian Shan, CEO of PAG, discusses rising valuations, the implications of China’s regulatory crackdown, heightened sensitivity around social responsibility, and escalating fund sizes
AVCJ Awards 2021: Firm of the Year – Mid Cap: Quadrant Private Equity
Quadrant Private Equity’s recent deals have focused on defensive, non-cyclical sectors, but the Australian GP continues to track a consumer story driven by technology and new modes of delivery
Asia agglomeration: Strength in numbers?
PE-backed agglomeration platforms are looking to buy up consumer brands in Asia with a view to leveraging the might of the collective. The model requires discipline in selection and execution
Q&A: AirTree Ventures’ John Henderson
Q&A: AirTree Ventures’ John Henderson DECK Australia-based AirTree Ventures has established a crypto-focused vehicle alongside its latest fund. John Henderson, a partner at the firm, explained how they think about the Web3 opportunity