Investments
Q&A: Vogo Investment's Jason Shin
Jason Shin, managing partner of Vogo Investment, explains why South Korean company owners’ preference for local partners goes well beyond foreign private equity’s well publicized scrapes
A multi-faceted market
Of readers who have been following Asia’s private equity markets for some years, few would contest South Korea’s place as one of the more important locations for international investors. After all, apart from maybe Australia, it has been the region’s...
Korea buyouts: Young pretender?
South Korea was the only significant PE market in Asia to see an uptick in deal flow last year. Investors have high expectations; uncertainty among local conglomerates – and local GPs – could make or break them
Chaebol cross-shareholding: David and Goliath
Removing cross-shareholding structures that hold Korea’s conglomerates together, and arguably suffocate competition, is key to economic democratization. But will it happen and what would it mean for PE?
Strained relations: Foreign PE and financial services
Global buyout firms have seen less deal flow in South Korea in recent years, with financial services sector activity a shadow of its former self. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are unwelcome
Unitas sees 3x return on Australia auto parts turnaround
Unitas Capital has secured a 3.3x return on its investment in Australian car parts supplier Exego, after selling the business to US-based Genuine Parts in two tranches worth a combined $950 million, including debt. The private equity firm was unable to...
CBC provides Series C round for China's Miaozhen
China Broadband Capital (CBC) has led a Series C round of funding worth $10 million for Chinese big data specialist Miaozhen Systems.
3SBio shareholder opposes CITIC PE-backed take-private
One of the largest shareholders of Chinese biotechnology firm 3SBio plans to oppose a take-private bid tabled by CEO Jing Lou and CITIC Private Equity that values the company at $340 million.
CDIB Capital backs duty-free operator Flemingo International
CDIB Capital has invested $19.9 million in Dubai-based travel retail operator Flemingo International.
India's Satin Creditcare raises new VC funding, Lok Capital exits
Satin Creditcare Network, a New Delhi-based microfinance institution (MFI) has raised INR410 million ($7.49 million) from three venture capital firms’ three funds. The transaction facilitates the exit of Lok Capital, an early investor in the company....
Indix raises $4.5m from Nexus, Avalon
Nexus Venture Partners and Avalon Ventures have jointly committed $4.5 million to Indian data and analytics start-up Indix.
MGPA buys two Tokyo office buildings
MGPA has acquired two office buildings in Tokyo – South Shin Otsuka building in Otsuka and Shinjuku TX building in Shinjuku - through its Asia–focused German fund MGPA Asien Speziafonds.
Indiareit makes two investments, plans new fund
Indiareit Fund Advisors, the real estate PE arm backed by Indian entrepreneur Ajay Piramal, has invested INR2 billion ($37 million) in real estate projects and is reportedly set to launch a $300 million offshore fund next month.
Hassad backs India's Bush Foods, Standard Chartered exits
Hassad Food, a unit of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has acquired a majority interest in India-based basmati rice producer Bush Foods Overseas. The transaction facilitates the exit of Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE), which invested INR1.1...
Cerberus boosts Seibu tender offer, intensifies row with management
Cerberus Capital Management wants to increase its stake in Seibu Holdings by as much as 12% to 44.7% and nominate nine members of the Japanese rail and hotel operator’s 18-strong board. The move has escalated a row between the private equity firm and...
India's Just Dial wins IPO approval
Indian search engine Just Dial has won approval for its IPO, putting VC backers Sequoia Capital, SAIF Partners and Tiger Global on course for a partial exit.
PAG special sits fund invests $125m in China property developer
PAG will invest in real estate developer China South City Holdings through the purchase of HK$975 million ($125.6 million) in convertible notes. The proceeds will be used to support properties under development and refinance a portion of existing debt....
Polaris acquires Japanese salon operator
Polaris Capital has acquired a majority stake in Japanese salon and sports club operator Socie World for a reported JPY3 billion ($32 million). The capital came from the private equity firm’s third vehicle, which has so far raised JPY36 billion, just...
NVP pumps another $8m into Pepperfry
Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) has led a second round of funding for Mumbai-based online lifestyle store Pepperfry.com, putting in $8 million.
India's Zephyr Peacock buys 25% of pre-fab buildings maker
Zephyr Peacock India has bought a 25% stake in Pennar Engineered Building Systems (PEBS) for INR500 million ($9.19 million).
eBay leads $50m round in India's Snapdeal - report
Online e-commerce giant eBay has led a Series C round of funding worth a reported $50 million for New Dehi-based online marketplace Snapdeal.
Phoenix Capital exits Japan's TEAC to Gibson Guitar
Phoenix Capital has agreed to sell its entire holding in Japanese-listed audio equipment manufacturer TEAC to Gibson Guitar for 4.88 billion yen ($51.9 million).
Billabong halts trading, PE firms said to cut buyout offer
Billabong International halted trading Tuesday amid reports that the two private equity consortiums bidding for the embattled Australian surfwear company would lower their bids.
CITIC PE agrees carve-out of TNT's China road business
CITIC Private Equity has agreed to buy TNT Express’ China road operations for an undisclosed sum. It is one of several divestments expected from the Netherlands-based logistics provider, which is seeking to cut costs and refocus on its core European market...