Articles by Andrew Woodman
Temasek buys stake in India's Eros International
Temasek Holdings has made its first foray into India's Bollywood movie industry as Fullerton Fund Management - a unit of the Singapore sovereign fund - acquired a stake in local film distributor Eros International.
Blackstone, Carlyle to bid for Transpacific waste unit - report
The Blackstone Group and The Carlyle Group are said to be among suitors for Transpacific Industries Group's New Zealand waste management unit, with first round bids expected by December 6. Japan's Orix Corp. and New Zealand infrastructure investor Infratil...
Espirito Santo, Dabur's Burmans plan to launch PE fund
The investment bank arm of Portuguese financial group Espirito Santo plans to a launch a private equity fund in partnership with the Burman family - the promoters of Indian healthcare and food company Dabur Group - to invest in medium and small-cap companies....
INCJ commits $100m to Global Brain Fund V
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will commit up to JPY10 billion ($98.7 million) to Global Brain No.5 Investment Limited Partnership, the latest vehicle launched by IT-focused VC Global Brain Corporation (GBC).
India agritech: Green shoots
India’s agricultural sector is fast-growing but inefficient. Private equity is well positioned to capitalize on the need for better technology, information and distribution
China's 500.com jumps 54% on NYSE debut
Shares in VC-backed 500.com gained 54% as the Chinese online sports lottery provider made its US trading debut on Friday. The stock peaked at $21.85 before closing at $20.01, valuing the company at $700 million.
JAFCO-backed ZIGExN raises $58m in Tokyo IPO
ZIGExN, a JAFCO portfolio company that runs network of search engine websites, saw its stock more than double to JPY1750 on its first day of trading following a JPY5.8 billion ($58 million) Tokyo IPO.
Japanese government launches 'Cool Japan Fund'
The Japanese government has launched a "Cool Japan Fund" which will invest up to JPY90 billion ($884 million) in cultural exports such as fashion, food and media.
Nissay, Globis, SMBC invest $3m in Japan's Itandi
Japanese VC investors Nissay Capital, Globis Capital and SMBC Ventures have committed JPY300 million ($2.9 million) to Itandi, an IT solutions provider to the real estate industry.
ICG, Nomura set up Japan mezzanine fund
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), a global mezzanine specialist, and Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings have together launched a joint venture to manage a Japan-focused mezzanine fund. Each will the contribute JPY10 billion ($98 million).
Risa Partners exits drug store to Tsuruha Holdings for $99m
Risa Partners, a unit of NEC Capital, has exited its 56% stake in Japanese drug store operator Hearty Wants to strategic investor Tsuruha Holdings for JPY10.1 billion ($99 million).
Japanese pension funds must diversify - panel
Japan's public pension funds - which collectively manage more than JPY200 trillion ($2 trillion) in assets - should diversify into alternative assets, including private equity, and have greater independence to do so, according to an expert panel.
Gaw Capital acquires London property for Korean investors
Gaw Capital Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity real estate firm, has acquired Waterside House - an office building in London - on behalf of a pool of South Korean institutional investors.
GIC to anchor Ascendas India realty platform
GIC Private will be the lead investor in an Indian real estate platform launched by Singapore-based Ascendas. The Ascendas India Growth Programme has a target size of S$600 million ($482 million) and will invest in real estate in India, focusing on business...
SMBC Venture, Adways invest in Japan e-commerce site
SMBC Venture Capital and strategic investor Adways have together backed Flask Park, a Japanese gift e-commerce company. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
China due diligence: Playing it safe
The catalogue of deals gone bad in China is long and undistinguished. Private equity firms, and the third-party advisors that work with them, are rethinking their approach to due diligence
Oaktree ups stake in New Zealand's MediaWorks
Oaktree Capital has increased its stake in New Zealand broadcaster MediaWorks to 43%, after acquiring a 14.6% stake from Dutch lender Rabobank. The transaction took place the same day lenders completed their recapitalization of MediaWorks, reducing its...
RRJ to launch $1b real estate fund - report
RRJ Capital, the Hong Kong-based private equity firm set up by former Hopu Investment Management executive Richard Ong, is said to be launching a $1 billion real estate fund targeting investments in China.
PAG real estate arm raises $1.5b Asia fund
Secured Capital, the Japan-based real estate investment arm of PAG, has reached a $1.5 billion final close on its fifth fund - Secured Capital Real Estate Partners V - exceeding its $1 billion target.
Riverside acquires Japan bicycle retailer
The Riverside Company has acquired Y. International, a Japanese bicycle retail chain. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Lone Star approved to buy Osaka train, warehouse operator - report
US-based distress-focused GP Lone Star has reportedly won the rights to acquire Japan train operator Osaka Prefectural Urban Development (OPUD) for JPY78 billion ($783 million)
LPs look beyond the fee debate in Asia - AVCJ Forum
LPs value nurturing relations with quality fund managers more highly than driving down management fees as demand for capital continues to outstrip supply.
Emerging Asia to see more buyouts - AVCJ Forum
Asia will see more control deals as private equity matures in the region, but it will remain primarily a growth capital market, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum in Hong Kong.
Armstrong's cleantech breakthrough
When it took its maiden Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund on the road mid 2011, Armstrong Asset Management was sailing into unchartered waters. While there have been other renewable energy funds active in the region, many have benefited from either a broader...