Exits
China's Cloopen, Adagene complete strong US IPOs
Cloud services provider Cloopen and biotech developer Adagene, both backed by Sequoia Capital China, have raised a combined $460 million in their US IPOs.
New Frontier to privatize US-listed China hospital business
The New Frontier Group-led consortium that acquired Chinese hospital operator United Family Healthcare (UFH) through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2019 is now looking to take the US-listed business private at a valuation of around $1.6...
Match buys VC-backed Korean social platform for $1.7b
Hyperconnect, a Korean social media platform backed by Altos Ventures and SoftBank Ventures Korea, has agreed to an acquisition by online dating giant Match Group for $1.73 billion in cash and stock.
Advent buys majority stake in India's ZCL, MSPEA exits
Advent International has agreed to acquire Indian pharmaceuticals supplier ZCL Chemicals, setting up a minority exit for Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
China robotics: Automation nation
China is a global leader in robot manufacturing, but only in areas characterized by high volumes and low technology value. Can more start-ups climb from medium-tech to hard-tech?
China's Kuaishou surges on debut after $5.4b Hong Kong IPO
Kuaishou, a Chinese video-sharing and social networking platform backed by Tencent Holdings, 5Y Capital and DST Global, started trading at nearly three times its IPO price following a Hong Kong IPO that valued the company at HK$1.1 trillion ($142 billion).
CDH exits Singapore equipment rental business
Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation has acquired Singapore-based construction equipment rental business Aver Asia, facilitating a full exit for CDH Investments.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Exit of the Year - Large Cap: Velocity Frequent Flyer
Building a core competence in data analytics and a broader array of loyalty options underpinned Affinity Equity Partners’ 3.6x return on Velocity Frequent Flyer
India's Moonfrog Labs acquired by Swedish gaming studio
Swedish free-to-play gaming studio Stillfront has agreed to acquire 100% of Indian mobile games developer Moonfrog Labs, setting up exits for Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital India.
Ravi Thakran's SPAC plans merger with aviation business
A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) launched by Ravi Thakran, formerly head of L Catterton’s Asia operation, plans to merge with Wheels Up – a US-based aviation business described as Uber for private jets – at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
US strategic to buy PE-backed Australia payroll business
Ceridian, a US-based human resources technology provider has agreed to acquire Australian payroll software specialist Ascender, setting up exits for Potentia Capital and Five V Capital.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Exit of the Year - IPO: SBI Card
The Carlyle Group helps SBI Card win its place in the ongoing rise of digital India before realizing a landmark domestic IPO. Coordination with State Bank of India has been crucial
CLSA partially exits Japan medical IT provider
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has partially exited its position in NHOSA Corporation, a Japanese IT provider for dental clinics and medical institutions.
Sideline SPACs: Competing priorities?
Ties between private equity firms and special purpose acquisition companies are not uniform – some are direct relationships, while others involve certain individuals. But proliferation is likely to attract more LP scrutiny
AVCJ Awards 2020: Exit of the Year - Mid Cap: EMC Holdings
Taking full ownership of EMC Holdings wasn’t on Affirma Capital’s agenda, but it performed a successful pivot when the business started moving in the wrong direction
Longreach sells Japanese jeweler to Integral
The Longreach Group has exited Primo Japan to Integral Corporation for an undisclosed sum. This makes Integral the jewelry retailer’s fourth consecutive private equity owner.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Operational Value Add: Nexus Day Hospitals
Having formed Australia-based Nexus Day Hospitals by merging two smaller operators, Mercury Capital led a wholesale expansion and professionalization of the business
PE-owned Aadhar Housing Finance files for India IPO
Aadhar Housing Finance, an Indian affordable housing lender acquired by The Blackstone Group in 2019, is looking to raise up to INR73 billion ($1 billion) through a domestic IPO.
Hopu founder backs China healthcare-focused SPAC
Fenglei Fang, founder and chairman of Chinese private equity firm Hopu Investments, is looking to raise $300 million for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will target healthcare companies with a China focus or expansion prospects in the...
AVCJ Awards 2020: Exit of the Year - Small Cap: China Feihe
The secret to Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia’s 148x return on dairy producer China Feihe was having faith both in the baby care industry and in a quality domestic brand
4Q analysis: Growth spurt
Technology-enabled businesses in China and India are the beneficiaries of a resurgence in growth capital deal flow; Japan is the sole stand-out in fundraising; IPOs continue to shine as overall exits struggle
Deal focus: Monetizing mice
ORI Capital’s 2.8x return on its investment in Kymab was in part based on helping the company make the transition from antibody-based discovery platform to drug development engine
Asia PE investment ends 2020 on a tear
A fourth-quarter surge in growth-stage deal-making took Asia private equity investment to $198.5 billion in 2020, comfortably surpassing the previous year’s total despite the strictures of COVID-19.
AVCJ Awards 2020: Operational Value Add: TEG
Affinity Equity Partners turned TEG from a ticketing business into a broad-based live events promoter, while simultaneously taking it from Australia-centric to global