Articles by Tim Burroughs
Southeast Asia VC: Knowledge transfers
When venture capital firms move into Southeast Asia, they often use existing operations in China or India as a launching pad. Different lessons can be learned from these two markets
CITIC, SF Holdings raise $308m China logistics fund
CITIC Capital and SF Holdings – the parent company of SF Express, China’s second-largest courier company – have launched a RMB2.1 billion ($308 million) fund that will invest in logistics properties.
Deal focus: PEP reaches its Zenith
The fourth investment from Pacific Equity Partners’ secure assets fund, Zenith Energy is expected to serve as a platform for expansion in the Australian remote power industry
GGV targets $2b for China, US tech investments
GGV Capital will return to market with its latest set of China and US-focused funds, seeking to raise an aggregate $2 billion, up from $1.88 billion in the prior vintage.
India's ShareChat gets $40m pre-Series E round
ShareChat, a social networking platform that focuses on Indian vernacular languages, has raised $40 million in a pre-Series E funding round.
Ascendent invests $500m in Chinese supermarket retailer
Ascendent Capital Partners has made by far its largest investment to date, committing $500 million to Chinese supermarket retailer Wumart ahead of a planned Hong Kong IPO.
Japan gaming start-up raises Series A, hits $1b valuation
Playco, a Japan-headquartered mobile gaming start-up, has simultaneously formally launched operations and become a unicorn, raising $100 million in Series A funding at a valuation of $1 billion.
Iron Pillar leads Series C for Indian after-sales service player
Iron Pillar has led a $23 million Series C round of funding for Servify, an India-headquartered start-up that integrates parties involved in smart device retail with a view to improving customer service experience.
Deal focus: NSSK completes digital transformation
Converting Bunkasha Publishing's library of manga library from paper to digital form was a priority for NSSK. New owner Beaglee will now plug this content into its online distribution platform
CLSA closes fourth Japan fund at $450m
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has closed its fourth Japan mid-market fund at $450 million after approximately three months in the market.
Asia exits: Liquidity lags
Private equity exits – outside of the public markets – are gradually emerging from a COVID-19 hibernation. But sellers must be mindful of timing, structure, and which buyers they are targeting
KKR to invest $755m in India's Reliance Retail
KKR has followed up its investment in Jio Platforms, the holding company for a variety of digital assets owned by Reliance Industries, with a INR55.5 billion ($755 million) commitment to the Indian conglomerate’s retail unit.
PAG poised to invest in Australian airline
PAG Asia Capital is in exclusive negotiations over a A$150 million ($109 million) investment in Regional Express Holdings (Rex), an Australian airline that emerged following the collapse of Ansett Airlines.
India gaming platform secures $90m Series C
SIG Asia, RTP Global, MDI Ventures and Pegasus Tech Ventures have led a $90 million Series C round for Mobile Premier League (MPL), an India-based mobile gaming platform.
Rise Fund, Swire back Asia plant-based food specialist
The Rise Fund, TPG’s impact investment vehicle, and Hong Kong conglomerate Swire Pacific have led a $70 million round for Green Monday Holdings, a Hong Kong plant-based protein provider.
NSSK sells Japanese manga publisher
NSSK has sold Bunkasha Publishing, a Japanese media group focused on manga comics in both print and digital formats, to local internet content provider Beaglee.
Deal focus: COVID-19 prompts Modern Star exit rethink
Navis Capital Partners' 3.5x return on Australian educational resources supplier reflects how the business proved resilient in the face of COVID-19, but the pandemic still played havoc with the exit process
Subscription credit: Fine lines
Increased standardization on disclosure has improved the visibility LPs have into how private equity firms are using subscription credit lines, but they must be mindful of attempts to loosen terms.
LPs see decoupling as bigger issue than delisting - AVCJ Forum
The long-term implications of US-China decoupling are of greater concern than the prospect of Chinese companies being forced to delist from US stock exchanges, LPs told the AVCJ China Forum.
Australia's BGH backs online travel agent
BGH Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in TripADeal, an online travel agent that caters to the Australia and New Zealand markets.
Openspace Ventures hires ex-Providence director
Singapore’s Openspace Ventures has hired Jessica Huang Pouleur (pictured), formerly of Providence Equity Partners and latterly head of Asia M&A for The Walt Disney Company, as an executive director.
Blackstone makes $253m part-exit from India's Essel Propack
The Blackstone Group has made a partial exit from Indian packaging manufacturer Essel Propack (EPL) – which provides the tubes to 40% of the world’s toothpaste – generating proceeds of INR18.6 billion ($253.4 million).
Corporate VCs & climate change: Good citizens
Increased climate change awareness on a corporate level is leading to more investment – either direct or through funds – in start-ups that offer mitigation solutions. Asia is a key geography
DCP pursues $5.6b take-private of China's 51job
DCP Capital Partners has submitted a take-private offer for Chinese online recruitment services platform 51job that values the company at approximately $5.6 billion.