Articles by Andrew Woodman
Abraaj exits Philippines hospital DMMC
The Abraaj Group has made a full exit from Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center (DMMC), a tertiary care hospital based in the Philippines. The exit is said to have been through a buy-back arrangement with the Mercado family.
SMRJ, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitsubishi UFJ launch $10m pharma fund
The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation Japan (SMRJ), pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital are together launching a new JPY1 billion ($10 million) fund to invest in pharmaceutical start-ups working...
Gresham PE exits Tasmanian Walking Company
Gresham Private Equity has exited Australian tour firm Tasmanian Walking Company (TWC) to Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey. The financial details were not disclosed.
NTT Docomo Ventures, Livesense lead $5.5m investment in Japan's Aratana
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the Japanese mobile giant, and internet media firm Livesense have together led a JPY550 million ($5.5 million) investment round for Aratana, a social e-commerce platform developer. Existing VC backers JAFCO,...
Billabong drops Altamont for Oaktree, Centerbridge rescue
Australian surfwear company Billabong had accepted a refinancing plan from Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners, walking away from a previous deal with a consortium led by Altamont Capital Partners and replacing top management.
Mediaflag moves to acquire J-Star-owned sweets maker Tokachi
Mediaflag - a company which provides distribution support services to consumer goods manufacturers - has offered to acquire a 100% stake in Tokachi, a traditional Japanese sweets maker owned by Japanese mid-market buyout firm J-Star. The financial terms...
Profile: AIF Capital's Peter Amour
Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1986, AIF Capital's Peter Amour has witnessed the emergence of China and the ups and downs of Southeast Asia, enjoying some of the opportunities that have come with it
Archer Capital revives interest in NZ's Abano Healthcare
Archer Capital obtained a five-month standstill agreement with shareholders of New Zealand's Abano Healthcare, potentially allowing time for a new takeover bid to come together after its latest effort was rejected earlier this week.
Henry Kravis on Asia
KKR co-founder Henry Kravis recently briefed a group of reporters on his firm's investment strategy in Asia, offering glimpses of a business that is rooted in private equity yet stretches well beyond it.
Hong Kong start-ups: The Silicon Harbour
Hong Kong is touting itself as Asia's next great tech start-up hub. It must first address expensive real estate, the role of government as facilitator, and strategic positioning vis-à-vis mainland China
PE-backed Australia pub fund targets IPO - report
Australian Pub Fund, which is backed by M.H. Carnegie & Co. and Australian superannuation fund Sunsuper, is said to planning an IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
MSPEA-backed Hyundai Rotem to raise up to $575m in IPO
Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean train maker backed by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), intends to raise as much as KRW622.4 billion ($575 million) in what is set to be the country's biggest IPO so far this year.
Oaktree raises $700m for emerging markets distress fund - report
Oaktree Capital Management has reportedly raised more than $700 million for its first emerging markets distressed debt fund.
Japan Private Equity holds $30m first close on Fund IV
Japan Private Equity (JPE) has held a JPY3 billion ($30 million) first close on its fourth buyout fund, JPE Private Equity No.4.
KKR considers teaming with Japan state fund for Panasonic unit - report
KKR may partner with a Japanese state-backed investment fund in a bid to secure a stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit.
WuXi PharmaTech-backed Foundation Medicine sets terms for $75m IPO
US cancer diagnostics firm Foundation Medicine, which counts the corporate venture fund of Shanghai-headquarted WuXi PharmaTech among its backers, has announced the terms for its US IPO.
Hong Kong investors contemplate "Silicon Harbour"
Hong Kong has the potential to become an innovation center for Asia, say industry participants, but not quite in the mold of Silicon Valley.
Advent, CDIB, Mirae back The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Advent International has joined Taiwan's CDIB Capital and Japan's Mirae Asset Private Equity to acquire a significant stake in International Coffee and Tea, the company behind US specialty coffee and tea retailer - The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The largest...
Orion Partners to launch $250m Japan care homes fund
Hong Kong-headquartered Orion Partners, formerly known as Ajia Partners, is looking to raise as much as JPY25 billion ($250 million) for its third Japan care homes investment fund.
Japan's Dogan closes Kyushu SME fund at $34m
Japanese GP Dogan Advisors has reached a JPY3.3 billion ($34 million) close on its latest regional fund, Kyushu BOLERO (Buyout for local enterprise and reform organization) Fund 2.
Nissay Capital invests $1.9m in towel company
Nissay Capital has invested JPY199 million ($1.9 million) in Japanese towel maker, Ikeuchi Towel. The size of the stake acquired was not disclosed.
Litigation funds: The justice league
Litigation financiers are increasingly looking for opportunities in Asia, many making their investments out of private equity-style funds. But do they bring the same returns?
Australia's BlueChilli targets $10m for angel fund
Australian venture firm BlueChilli is looking to raise a $10 million angel fund for early-stage tech investments.
Morgan Stanley PE Asia makes partial exit from Sihuan Pharma
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) will make a partial exit from Hong Kong-listed Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings, joining company management in selling a 6.8% stake via a block trade agreement.