Articles by Maya Ando
Real assets, real opportunity
THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF REAL estate opportunities in the post-financial crisis world, however deal values in Asia have dropped as a result of many global investors buying lower-priced assets at home. The same is true here in Asia, as well CB Richard...
Carlyle, MBK not among Hana's backers in KEB bid
The Carlyle Group, MBK Partners and Goldman Sachs have not provided financial backing to South Korean commercial lender Hana Financial in its bid to acquire Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) from US buyout group Lone Star.
Emerald Hill hires three
Emerald Hill Capital Partners (EHCP), a Hong Kong-based fund of funds, has appointed Kristina Huntsberger as a Controller for the firm, Lois Chan as Associate and Sabrina Meng as an Analyst.
Accel Partner India launches $400 million fund
Accel Partner, a Silicon Valley’-based venture firm, has set up a $400 million India-dedicated fund, with the aim of targeting opportunities in the domestic growth space, according to local media reports.
FountainVest taps into local PIPE deal
Hong Kong-based PE firm FountainVest Partners had sealed an investment deal with LK Technology, a domestic die-casting machine manufacturer, for HK$400 million ($51.3 million).
Yet2.com and JAIC make first VC investment
yet2.com, a US-based digital marketplace that both buys and sells technology online, has formed yet2Ventures. The fund aims to help Fortune 500 companies and other owners of venture capital investments drive value in their portfolio companies.
Value Partners to form RMB fund in Yunnan province
Value Partners Group Limited, a Hong Kong-based alternative asset investment firm with both private equity and hedge fund strategies, has reportedly signed an agreement to establish a renminbi-denominated private equity fund in partnership with Yunnan...
Yun Feng raises $1.52 billion fund
Yun Feng Capital, a Chinese private equity fund co-founded by internet business guru Jack Ma, has raised around RMB10 billion ($1.52 billion) for its first fund, co-founder and Chairman David Yu told local media.
Milestone invests $30 million in Chinese pharma group
Milestone Capital, a Shanghai-based private equity firm, has reached an agreement to invest $30 million in China BCT Pharmacy Group, Inc., a listed pharmaceutical distributor, retail pharmacy, and manufacturer of pharmaceutical products in Guangxi Province,...
Lone Star may face another tax issue
Lone Star may face yet another tax issue, currently blocking its exit plan for its majority stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB).
EQT buys fine foods group
EQT Greater China II has taken a controlling 96% stake in Classic Fine Foods Group (CFF), a multinational importer and distributor of gourmet foods, from London-based Vestey Group Ltd. The remaining 4% stake is held by the management. Financial details...
Changing perceptions on Japanese private equity
There is no hiding from the fact that foreign institutional investors have developed a negative view on the current prospects for Japan’s private equity and venture capital industry, which in turn has made a significant impact domestic GPs’ abilities...
Advantage Partner may take on restructuring money for Tokyo Star
Advantage Partners, the Tokyo-based buyout firm, is reportedly considering giving up three of its five board seats of its 100%-owned investee - and troubled lender - Tokyo Star Bank to creditors.
Ant Capital exits Maruboshi
Japanese private equity firm Ant Capital Partners has exited its 100% stake in Maruboshi Co., a private document production and translation service company to CMC CO., a listed manual-service provider, for JPY1.68 billion ($20.3 million).
Japan's Risa Partners to sell its real estate assets
Distressed investors Fortress Investment Group, Lone Star and Cerberus have emerged as potential bidders to acquire the real estate assets of private equity firm Risa Partners.
MBK may partner with Hana for KEB
MBK Partners, the Korean buyout firm, has reportedly proposed investing KRW1 trillion ($891.6 million) to help Hana Financial Group to buy a controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), according to the Korean Times.
Alibaba may look to PE for logistics investment
Alibaba Group, China's e-commerce giant, plans to invest $4.5 billion to form a network of warehouses across the nation, possibly through a joint fund set up with a private equity firm.
EQT acquires Classic Fine Foods
EQT Greater China II has taken a 96% stake in Classic Fine Foods Group (CFF), a multinational importer and distributor of fine foods, from London-based Vestey Group Ltd.
Maple Fund Service makes senior hire
Independent global fund services provider Maples Fund Services has recruited Kate Colchester from ENE Advisors, a hedge fund start up and investor consultancy firm, to the role of Senior Vice President of Business Development Asia.
AMP Capital makes first Chinese acquisition
The AMP Capital Asian Giants Infrastructure Fund (AGIF), operated by Australian investment manager AMP Capital, has take a 19.11% stake in China’s Qujing Gas. The deal is AMP’s first acquisition in China.
State of the Union(s)
Korea and Japan may have fallen off the radar over the past two years, but their governments are working to keep funds flowing in and opportunities front and center for private equity firms
Valiant exits Japanese drug dispensary group
Valiant Partners Co., a SME-focused private equity firm, has exited its stake in portfolio company Hanshin Dispensing Pharmacy Co., a Kobe-based pharmacy chain operator. The fund sold its entire stake to a holding company owned by the Iwasaki family,...
BNY Mellon creates Sovereign Institutions Group
BNY Mellon, the global asset management and securities servicing company, has formed a new support business, the Sovereign Institutions Group, prompted by the increase in assets under management by sovereign wealth groups globally.
KFH launches Islamic fund
KFH Asset Management, a subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House, an Islamic bank based in Kuala Lumpur, will launch a $300 million fund by the end of 2012, according to Reuters. The fund plans to raise capital from Gulf investors, and will also seek money...