Investments
Asia PE and upstream energy: Under the pump
Although a low oil price environment has created interesting inroads for PE investors seeking exposure to Asia’s growing energy consumption story, challenges of timing and targeting have slowed uptake
Asia fintech hubs: Head start
Singapore's move to strengthen its financial technology ecosystem underlines the importance of creating appropriate infrastructure and incentives for start-ups in the space
Warburg Pincus, VinaCapital to create SE Asia hotel platform
Warburg Pincus has teamed up with Vietnam-based GP VinaCapital and Don Lam, the firm’s founder, to create a hotel investment platform intended to tap into rising inbound tourism in Southeast Asia, particularly from China.
General Atlantic backs Indonesia lifestyle retailer
General Atlantic has invested about IDR1.1 trillion ($80.5 million) in a food and beverage unit of diversified Indonesian lifestyle products retailer Mitra Adiperkasa (MAP).
Japan's Seven Dreamers receives $60m Series B round
Seven Dreamers Laboratories, a Japan-based manufacturer of personal-use devices, has raised a $60 million Series B round of funding from Panasonic, SBI Investment and construction company Daiwa House Industry.
China's Advantech leads $15m round for AI start-up
Advantech Capital, one of two parallel funds launched by executives from Chinese GP New Horizon Capital, has led a $15 million Series A round of funding for Petuum, a US-based artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solution developer....
Quadrant creates Australia experiential tourism platform
Quadrant Private Equity has made two further Australia tourism acquisitions, adding ferry and tour service Rottnest Express and cruise operator Cruise Whitsundays to a platform that already includes Great Southern Rail (GSR).
China's CIC to step up overseas direct investments
Sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation (CIC) plans to accelerate the pace of its overseas direct investments, with a view to supporting Chinese economic modernization.
China VCs tell start-ups to focus on sustainability - AVCJ Forum
China VC investors are reminding portfolio companies to pursue profitability rather than sky-high paper valuations as the market continues to rationalize following an explosion of activity in recent years.
GPs see the Asia risk premium narrowing - AVCJ Forum
Private equity investors still expect a risk premium in Asia, although given uncertainty in Western markets and the relative stability in Asia’s more mature economies, it is debatable how long the status quo will last, industry participants told the AVCJ...
CHAMP-backed Accolade Wines acquires Australian competitor
Accolade Wines, an Australian wine producer owned by CHAMP Private Equity, has agreed to acquire domestic peer Fine Wine Partners from Japanese-owned food and beverage company Lion.
Hony emphasizes its global ambitions
Hony Capital has reiterated its commitment to helping Chinese companies go global, in addition to supporting international firms that want to maximize their exposure to China – and the firm established a presence in Shenzhen to address these opportunities....
Two wins apiece for Quadrant, PAG, Affinity at AVCJ Awards
Quadrant Private Equity and PAG Asia Capital secured two wins apiece at the 2016 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, with the former taking the firm of the year and mid-cap fundraise prizes, while the latter was recognized in the deal of the...
Macquarie Capital invests $10m in Korea's Yello Mobile
Korean mobile internet platform Yello Mobile has issued $10 million in convertible bonds to Macquarie Capital. The investment values the business at approximately $4 billion.
GIC invests $50m in India's Capital First
Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Private has invested INR3.4 billion ($50.3 million) in Capital First, an Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC) backed by Warburg Pincus.
Singapore's MC Payment gets $3.5m for SE Asia expansion
Singapore private equity firm 2W Group has led a $5 million ($3.5 million) funding round for domestic financial technology company MC Payment.
IFC proposes $25m investment in CompareAsiaGroup
The International Financial Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed an investment of up to $25 million in Hong Kong-based financial comparison platform CompareAsiaGroup.
IMM-backed consortium pays $2.1b for stake in Korea's Woori Bank
IMM Private Equity is one of seven investors that have acquired a combined 29.7% stake in Woori Bank, a Korean lender that has been under government control since 2001, for KRW2.4 trillion ($2.1 billion).
Asian private equity: The state we're in
Based on current progress, Asia is unlikely to match the last year's fundraising, investment and exit totals in 2016. But the fundamentals that underpin most PE opportunities in the region are still there
Ex-Shoreline executives reform as ShoreVest, target China NPLs
ShoreVest Capital Partners is bidding on its first Chinese non-performing loan (NPL) portfolios since the core team members departed Shoreline Capital.
Singapore to ease regulations on start-ups as part of fintech push
Singapore is promising to provide venture capital firms with streamlined approval processes and tailored incentives as part of efforts to develop the fundraising landscape for local start-ups.
Hony invests $121m in Australian oil player Santos
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has re-upped in Australia-listed oil and gas supplier Santos for A$159.2 million ($120.8 million).
Eight Roads backs India's IFMR Capital
Eight Roads Ventures India has invested $25 million in Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) IFMR Capital.
Blackstone pulls out of SE Asia energy platform
The Blackstone Group has terminated an $800 million commitment to develop oil and gas assets in Southeast Asia with Malaysia-based Tamarind Energy.