Articles by Andrew Woodman
CHAMP, Headland seek full acquisition of Miclyn Express Offshore
CHAMP Private Equity and Hong Kong's Headland Capital Partners have offered to buy the 24.8% of oil and gas services group Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO) they do not own for around A$150 million ($137 million).
KKR leads race for Panasonic healthcare unit - report
KKR is said to have taken the lead in the bidding for a majority stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit - a potential $1.5 billion deal that would represent the firm's largest Japanese buyout to date.
Focus Media targets $500m dividend recap - report
Focus Media, a Chinese advertising company backed by The Carlyle Group, FountainVest Partners, CITIC Capital Partners, China Everbright and Fosun International intends to return to the loan market with recapitalization plan of around $500 million.
AVCAL CEO Katherine Woodthorpe resigns
Katherine Woodthorpe, CEO of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL), has resigned. Having spent seven years in the role, Woodthorpe announced she would be stepping down on October 31 in order to "pursue fresh challenges."...
Citigroup sells CVCI to Rohatyn Group
Citigroup is selling its $4.3 billion private equity unit, Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI), to emerging markets investment firm The Rohatyn Group (TRG) for an undisclosed sum.
Nissay Capital leads $1.5m round for Japan skills marketplace
Nissay Capital has a led a JPY150 million ($1.5 million) round of investment in WelSelf, the Tokyo-based start-up behind online skils marketplace Coconala. Other investors include internet marketing companies Opt and Adways, and the CEO of cosmetics site...
Japan's Future Venture Capital raises $5m venture fund
Japan's Future Venture Capital has raised a JPY500 million ($5 million) venture fund, Ehime Venture Fund 2013.
Mandarin Capital exits IMA Group, has first close on Fund II
Mandarin Capital, a Chinese-Italian private equity fund, has sold its 7.57% stake in Bologna-based pharmaceutical machinery business IMA Group for EUR53 million ($69.7 million) and has made first close of its second fund on EUR110.5 million.
Patent funds: Creative returns
Asia is now responsible for just over half of all patent filings worldwide. Will independent patent funds, which have already won a niche following in the US, catch on over here?
Asia Incubators: From acorns to oaks
As Asia’s tech start-up community flourishes, more incubators are setting up shop in the region in a bid to emulate Silicon Valley success – but what is the best way to do it?
Japan's Rakuten acquires VC-backed video site Viki
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has acquired Viki, a VC-backed global video streaming platform.The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
INCJ invests $6m in Japan's UniZeo
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY600 million ($6 million) in UniZeo, a Japanese company which is focused on commercializing new methods of producing synthetic zeolite.
Composition Capital appoints Head of Asia Pacific
Real estate fund manager Composition Capital Partners has appointed Whye Choong Low as principal and new Head of Asia Pacific at its Hong Kong office. He will be in charge of both running the company's Asia Pacific operations and expanding its activities...
Norwest, IFC-backed Snowman Logistics files for IPO
Snowman Logistics, an Indian cold chain services firm backed by Norwest Venture Partners and International Finance Corporation, has filed a draft red herring prospectus for its upcoming IPO.
Anthem Asia makes first Myanmar investment
Anthem Asia, a new private equity firm based in Yangon, Myanmar, has closed its first deal in the country, investing around $1 million in office rental firm Hintha Business Centers (HBC).
Taiwan's Zoyi Capital targets $300m fund – update
Zoyi Capital is seeking to raise $300 million for its debut fund, which will target deals in Greater China that have a Taiwanese connection.
Indonesia VCs, incubators form lobbying alliance
Eight Indonesian venture capital firms and incubators have come together to form a lobbying group known as the Alliance of Venture Capitals in Indonesia (AVCII). Members include CyberAgent Ventures, East Ventures, GEPI, Grupara, Ideosource, Jakarta Founders...
SMBC, IGPI invest $1.3m in Japanese game design platform
SMBC Venture Capital and Industrial Growth Partners (IGPI) have invested JPY130 million ($1.3 million) in Mugenup.com, a start-up that crowd-sources design talent to work on projects for game developers.
Japan's Rakuten leads $23m Series B round for e-commerce app Slice
Rakuten Group - Japan's largest e-commerce firm - has led a $23 million financing round for the Silicon Valley-based start-up behind online shopping app Slice.
Fenox leads Tech in Asia Series B round
Fenox Venture Capital has led a Series B round of investment in digital media company Tech in Asia. Existing investors, East Ventures and Simile Venture Partners, also took part in the round. Financial details were not disclosed.
JFDI.Asia launches latest accelerator program
Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI.Asia) - a Singapore-based accelerator - has launched its latest 100-day program with an intake of 10 new start-ups. The teams were chosen through an open competition that attracted 321 applications.
Billabong posts $777m loss, brand value drops to zero
Distressed Australian surfwear retailer Billabong International- which is currently negotiating a A$325 million ($290 million) refinancing deal with a consortium led by Altamont Capital Partners - has booked a net loss of A$860 million, while cutting...
JAFCO invests $3m in Japan online laundry service
JAFCO Ventures has invested JPY300 million ($3 million) in White Plus, the Japanese start-up behind Lenet, an online laundry delivery service.
Tech giants and VC: When the chips are down
Taiwan has a long history as a tech manufacturing powerhouse, but with the decline of the PC times have changed. Can the wavering tech giants re-invest themselves and what can VC do to help?