Articles by Susannah Birkwood
CVC's Mantra on the block
Private equity house CVC Asia Pacific has put its 40% stake in Australian accommodation provider Mantra Group up for auction.
NAB-backed WOW in receivership
WOW Sight & Sound, an Australian electronics and AV retailer backed by National Australia Bank Integrated Capital Solutions, has gone into receivership.
Columbia Capital invests $20m in Cloud Sherpas
US venture capital firm Columbia Capital has invested $20 million in Cloud Sherpas, a newly merged cloud computing solutions provider focused on Asia Pacific and the US.
SAC, GE biding time over Cosmos Bank exit
Alternative asset managers SAC Capital and GE Capital are reportedly biding their time over an exit from Taiwan's Cosmos Bank, in the hopes of generating at least $1.15 billion from a sale.
Harvey Norman and Specialty Fashion top targets for PE – Citi
Australian retailers Harvey Norman and Specialty Fashion Group are strong targets for a private equity takeover, according to Citigroup.
Indian VC's social imperative
Social venture capital funds have sprung up in India under the notion that they can support marginalized communities and achieve financial returns. Time will tell if this is possible.
Australia's Elcano Capital hits the fundraising trail
Australian venture firm Elcano Capital is seeking to raise capital from small investment funds to finance its planned investments into early stage companies.
Warburg Pincus and GA in talks to invest $200m in Aegis
US-based Warburg Pincus and General Atlantic (GA) are in talks to invest as much as $200 million for a stake in Aegis, the IT services arm of Indian industrial conglomerate Essar Group.
Axiom raises $1b for third Asia fund-of-funds
Singapore-headquartered independent fund-of-funds manager Axiom Asia Private Capital has reportedly raised more than $1 billion for its third fund.
Sequoia, Accel sell Amobee to SingTel
Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners have agreed to sell US-based mobile advertising start-up Amobee to SingTel, Southeast Asia’s largest cell phone company, for $321 million.
Taiwan, New Zealand launch $169m venture fund
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) has agreed with New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) to establish a NT$5 billion (US$169.39 million) joint venture fund.
Blackpeak adds Nicholas Blank in Hong Kong
Risk advisory firm Blackpeak Group, which focuses on corporate, private equity and hedge fund clients, has appointed Nicholas Blank as a director based in Hong Kong.
CDH, CITIC, New Horizon buy Luye Pharma from MBK
CDH Capital, Citic Private Equity and New Horizon Capital, three of China's largest private equity firms, have bought Luye Pharma from Korea-based MBK Partners.
L Capital to invest $150m in Raymond Apparel - report
L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods group, is said to be in talks to invest INR7.5 billion ($150 million) in Indian clothes company Raymond Apparel.
VC-backed Komli Media bolts on Admax
Komli Media, the Indian media technology company backed by Norwest Venture Partners, has completed the bolt-on acquisition of digital media network.Admax.
JC Flowers circles ING Asia assets - report
US private equity firm J.C. Flowers is said to be considering a bid for the Asian insurance assets being sold by ING Group.
Avigo-backed Spykar on the block
Avigo Capital Partners has put Spykar Lifestyle up for sale. The private equity firm, which targets investments in small- and medium-sized enterprises, acquired a 60% stake in the Indian apparel chain less than a year ago.
Premji invests $25m in Fabindia
Premji Invest, the $1 billion private equity vehicle backed by Wipro Group chairman Azim Premji, has invested INR1-1.25 billion ($20-25 million) for a 7% stake in Indian fashion company Fabindia.
Accel and Tiger Global boost Zansaar with $6m
Accel Partners and Tiger Global have invested $6 million in Bangalore-based e-commerce start-up Zansaar.com to support the brand’s organic growth.
IFC provides $20m loan to Baring-backed GIIS
International Finance Corp. (IFC) has provided a loan of up to SGD25 million ($20 million) to Global Indian International School (GIIS), which is backed by Baring Private Equity Asia.
Australian fundraisers feel the strain
Are changes in superannuation laws the cause or the scapegoat? Either way, Australia’s fundraising landscape is undergoing substantial change. Local GPs must choose between going offshore or going out of business
JSM Corp seeks $30m in PE funding
JSM Corp., the Indian franchisee for Hard Rock Café, California Pizza Kitchen and Trader Vic’s, is hoping to raise INR1.2-1.5 billion ($24 million -$30 million) from private equity investors.
Longreach reaps 60% IRR on Sanyo Logistics sale
The Longreach Group has reaped an IRR of 60% and a money multiple of around 2.5x on its 24.2 billion yen ($300 million) sale of Japanese logistics company Sanyo Electric Logistics.
Indiareit to launch $500m India fund
Indiareit Fund Advisors, a real estate investor backed by Indian entrepreneur Ajay Piramal, is planning to launch a $500 million offshore fund that will invest in domestic development projects.