Articles by Susannah Birkwood
Equis invests $200m in Thai solar assets
Singapore-based infrastructure GP Equis Funds Group has reportedly channeled $200 million into acquiring 100% of a portfolio of solar energy assets in Thailand.
GLOBIS establishes Singapore subsidiary
GLOBIS, the Japanese venture capital firm, has established Globis Singapore, a subsidiary that will provide companies with management training and organizational development solutions.
Chinese investors sign DreamWorks JV
Media fund China Media Capital, investment company Shanghai Alliance Investment Co and media conglomerate Shanghai Media Group have established a joint venture with American film studio DreamWorks.
Philippines launches first infra fund
The decision to become the first-ever Philippines-dedicated infrastructure fund can’t have been easy one. As with any vehicle, a number of criteria needed to be in place to ensure the success of the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PINAI)....
Asia's first secondary real estate trading platform launches
Asia Pacific’s first trading platform for buyers and sellers of secondary interests in real estate funds was launched this week by Jones Lang LaSalle.
Taiwan's PharmaEngine signs Asia deal with VC-backed Nanobiotix
Taiwanese biopharmaceutical company PharmaEngine has agreed to form a strategic partnership with VC-backed Nanobiotix, to hasten the development of one of the French nanomedicine firm’s products.
PE a key focus for institutions investing in Asia – survey
Institutions investing in Asia plan to make private equity and other alternative assets a key focus, according to a new survey.
Dechert nabs PE lawyer David Cho from Orrick
A lawyer specializing in private equity and M&A has been poached from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe by rival law firm Dechert. Formerly a partner at Orrick, David K Cho will now be a partner in Dechert’s Corporate and Securities practice at its Hong...
VC fund to help restore Australia's Olympic dominance
The chairman of a body that introduces sports technology businesses to the commercial market is reportedly attempting to raise A$60 million ($63 million) for a venture capital fund designed to help restore Australia’s dominance in the Olympic Games.
Atinum mulls $350m STX Energy bid
Korea’s Atinum Partners is reportedly considering making a bid for STX Energy Co, the privately-held subsidiary of Korea Exchange-listed STX Group. The deal could value the company at up to KRW400 billion ($$354 million).
Clearwater gets $575m for fund IV
Profit warnings issued by Chinese companies in recent weeks suggest that the corporate sector is feeling the effects of slowing economic growth. Industrial profit was down 2.2% in the first half of 2012, compared to a 28.7% gain in the corresponding period...
Australian advertising: Private equity goes outdoors
Australia’s outdoor advertising industry has seen three large investments from private equity firms in recent months. Is wider sector consolidation imminent?
PE to join in on $504m DLF land buyout
A private equity player is thought to have teamed up with Lodha Group to buy a 17.5-acre plot of land in India from DLF, the country's largest developer, for INR28 billion ($504 million).
Warburg's Future Capital offer faces delays
Warburg Pincus’ offer to buy a 26% stake in India's Future Capital Holdings (FCH), the financial services unit of the Future Group, has been delayed despite reports that the $100-125 million deal was finalized last month.
SCPE backs Sri Lanka's Abans with $40m - report
Standard Chartered Private Equity has reportedly invested $40 million in Sri Lankan family-owned business Abans.
Babson to incrase Asia-Pacific lending
Babson Capital Management plans to increase the loans it provides in Australia and Asia, as borrowers are prepared to pay high interest rates due to the withdrawal of several European banks from the region.
Blue Sky pumps $2m into Australian skincare firm
Blue Sky Alternative Investments has invested $2 million in Milk & Co, the Australian skincare company founded by Olympic swimmer Michael Klim.
Morrison & Co raising $1b for NZ infra fund
Australasian infrastructure investor Morrison & Co. is reportedly looking to raise up to $1 billion for a private equity fund that will target low-risk global infrastructure projects.
Carlyle mulls Coates Hire IPO
The Carlyle Group, together with Australia's Seven Group, is considering an IPO of Australian equipment rental company Coates Hire. The news comes weeks after banks agreed to refinance the company’s A$1.85 billion ($1.9 billion) in debt.
VCs back Indian taxi firm BookMyCab
Mumbai Angels and YourNest Angel Fund, two Indian investment firms focused on early stage investments, have backed a Series A round for taxi start-up BookMyCab.
Baring PE India could raise $700m fourth fund – report
Baring Private Equity Partners India is reportedly considering the launch of a fourth fund by 2014 that would target $500-700 million. The vehicle’s main focus would be high-growth sectors.
America's Skybridge to launch $500m Asia vehicle
US alternative investment manager SkyBridge Capital is planning to launch an Asia-focused fund next year worth $250-500 million, according to the firm’s founder.
Ironbridge's EnviroWaste could fetch healthy price
Ironbridge Capital is mulling the sale of its waste management company, EnviroWaste. The New Zealand-based firm is expected to sell for a healthy price as its Australian counterpart Thiess was bought for A$218 million ($225 million) earlier this month....
James Fong joins Mayer Brown JSM as partner
Global law firm Mayer Brown JSM has appointed James Fong as partner in its corporate and securities practice. He joins from Hogan Lovells, where he became a partner in 2010.