Articles by Susannah Birkwood
Ten Network denies concerns over Eye sale to CHAMP
Ten Network has denied reports that proceeds from the sale of its Eye Corp subsidiary to CHAMP Private Equity’s oOh!media will be lower than expected due to concerns about the outdoor advertising business’ financial performance.
INCJ backs $35m venture investment in US green energy company
Japanese state-sponsored fund Innovation Network Corp of Japan (INCJ) has teamed up with a Japanese corporation to lead a $35 million Series E funding round for Transphorm, a US provider of energy-saving devices.
Blackstone closes global real estate fund at $13.3b
The Blackstone Group has closed its seventh global real estate fund on $13.3 billion. Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII was launched 13 months ago, and raised capital from more than 250 global LPs.
Baring India increases holding in Manappuram Finance
Baring India Private Equity has once again upped its stake in Manappuram Finance, a non-bank financial company (NBFC) specializing in gold loans.
Everstone, India Value Fund join race to buy Avigo's Spykar - report
Everstone Capital and India Value Fund are reportedly planning to compete with several global private equity firms for Avigo Capital Partners’ 60% stake in Indian apparel chain Spykar Lifestyle.
Japan's INCJ to compete with PE on national interest grounds
Innovation Network Corp of Japan (INCJ) is prepared to compete with privately-owned firms where doing so would be in the country's national interest. It comes after the Japanese government fund was said to be mulling making an offer last month for Renesas,...
Fund-level due diligence: More than ticking boxes
Corrupt deals, agreements with the dishonest and lackluster returns can all be avoided by doing sufficient due diligence on a GP. But advisers say LPs in Asia sill aren’t doing enough
SCPE makes second investment in PepsiCo's South Asian bottler
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has invested a further INR1.7 billion ($32 million) in Varun Beverages (VBIL), the largest bottler for PepsiCo in South Asia.
Dragon Capital funds secure continuation vote from shareholders
Shareholders in two Vietnam-focused funds managed by private equity firm Dragon Capital have voted in support of the continuation of the vehicles.
Terra Firma, CDB to launch infrastructure fund – report
UK-based private equity firm Terra Firma and China Development Bank (CDB) are reportedly planning to launch an energy infrastructure fund worth $3-5 billion at an investor meeting this week.
Carlyle to sell stake in HDFC – report
The Carlyle Group is poised to sell its 3.7% stake in mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corp. (HDFC) for approximately $850 million.
Oaktree exits aircraft leasing firm to Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ
Oaktree Capital Group has sold aircraft leasing firm Jackson Square Aviation to Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. for JPY100 billion ($1.3 billion).
3i's Nikhil Gahrotra joins BanyanTree
Banyan Tree Finance has poached Nikhil Gahrotra from 3i Group, where he was working as associate director. He joins the mid-market PE firm as a director.
Lazard's Costa joins Developing Markets Capital Partners - report
Developing Markets Capital Partners (DMC), a private equity firm launched by three ex-Goldman Sachs executives, has hired Ken Costa, former chairman of Lazard’s international arm as a partner.
Fulcrum reaps 10x from Casa Grande exit
SME-focused private equity firm Fulcrum Venture India has reaped a money multiple of 10x from its investment in Indian real estate company Casa Grande.
China's Cathay Fortune in $848m takeover bid for Discovery Metals
Cathay Fortune Corp, a private equity firm founded by Chinese billionaire Yu Yong, has made a A$830 million ($848 million) takeover bid for Australian copper producer Discovery Metals. A fund set up by China Development Bank (CDB) is supporting the proposed...
Actis in Chinese casual dining MBO
Networks count, and nowhere more so than in China. This was especially evident during Actis’ investment in Shanghai-based casual dining chain Bellagio, announced last week.
Profile: Leopard Capital's Douglas Clayton
Leopard Capital CEO Douglas Clayton refused to let gun-wielding Cambodians distract him from setting up the country’s first private equity fund. He prides himself on being first on the ground in frontier markets
Bonderman praises India finance minister
David Bonderman, founder of TPG Capital, has said that the change in the finance minister for India has enhanced sentiment about the country as a place to do business. His firm plans to put more effort into hunting down local investment opportunities...
IUVP rebrands as Kalaari Capital, closes $150m India VC fund
The founders of Indo US Venture Partners (IUVP) have established Kalaari Capital Advisors, a new fund manager that has raised a venture capital vehicle worth $150 million for the Indian market.
Next-backed Hirepool in talks to buy Tasman Capital-owned HireQuip - report
Hirepool, the New Zealand rental equipment specialist owned by Australian private equity firm Next Capital, is reportedly in exclusive talks to purchase its indebted rival, HireQuip, which is owned by Sydney-based Tasman Capital.
Navis invests in Vietnam pharma firm
Navis Capital Partners has invested into OPV Pharmaceutical, a major Vietnamese branded generic pharmaceutical manufacturer.
IDFC reaps 2x on Gujarat Pipavav partial exit
IDFC Alternatives has sold off more than 4% of Indian container terminal Gujarat Pipavav Port for $18.7 million, reaping a money multiple of 2x on its initial investment.
NVP invests $22m in Indian medical diagnostics firm
Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) has bought a 10% stake in India’s Thyrocare Technologies from the medical diagnostics services provider’s promoters for INR1.2 billion ($22 million).