Baird Capital raises $310m for global mid-market fund

The vehicle launched last year with a target of $300 million and has made three investments in the US and UK so far. It will target lower middle-market companies in the healthcare, industrial solutions, and technology and services sectors in both countries and in Asia.

Earlier this year Baird appointed Andy Tse, formerly managing director of AIF Capital, as a partner to lead the firm’s investments in Asia. Its operations in the region have been relatively light recently: AVCJ Research shows no commitments by the firm in Asia since it participated in a July 2015 round for Chinese maternity and child-focused e-commerce site Muyingzhijia.

“In today’s highly competitive M&A environment, we believe that our global resources and ability to take a portfolio company global is a significant advantage,” said Gordon Pan, president of Baird Capital, in a statement. “Our approach allows us to capitalize on the opportunities that exist across different geographies, while having a global team that reviews potential investments through a shared lens.”

Robert W. Baird & Co. consolidated its global private equity operations, formerly four separate firms, into Baird Capital in 2013. The firm has continued to invest from distinct funds established for the US, UK and China, as well as a venture capital vehicle. It manages more than $3.1 billion in assets and has invested in nearly 300 companies since 1989.

Baird’s Greater China-focused fund, Baird Capital Partners Asia Fund I, is nearing the end of its life, having closed in December 2008 at $72 million. Investments from the vehicle include Singapore-based plastic injection molding company Boston Plastics and China’s Henan Bingxiong Refrigerated Truck.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Save this article  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Greater China
• Fundraising
• GPs
• Growth
• Asia
• Baird Capital Partners Asia
• USA
• RW Baird