Funds
Fund focus: A91 scouts overlooked VC opportunities
A91 Partners closes its debut fund at $351 million with a plan to explore the untapped depths of the Indian business sector. Consumer, financial services, healthcare, and technology are top of mind
Investors challenged by governance in SE Asia – AVCJ Forum
Implementing institutional-class governance practices at portfolio companies remains a significant hurdle for Southeast Asia-focused buyout firms, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
Fund focus: Genesis targets China's tech inflection points
With $850 million in dry powder to deploy from its second US dollar-denominate fund, China’s Genesis Capital is targeting Series C and D rounds for start-ups on the cusp of greatness
Asia-based Ilfryn Carstairs to become co-CEO of Värde
Ilfryn Carstairs (pictured), Singapore-based CIO of global alternative investor Värde Partners, has been named CEO. He will share the role with George Hicks, the incumbent and co-founder of the firm.
Plum Ventures raises $77m for China angel fund
Chinese early-stage investor Plum Ventures has closed its fifth angel fund with RMB532.5 million ($77.4 million) in commitments, taking its total assets under management to RMB3 billion.
Southeast Asia's Provident Capital seeks $250m for Fund II
Provident Capital, a Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm that is primarily active in Indonesia, is looking to raise $250 million for its second fund.
India's A91 closes debut fund at $351m
A91 Partners, an Indian venture capital firm founded by three former managing directors at Sequoia Capital, has closed its debut fund at $351 million.
TVS reaches $160m second close on India growth fund
TVS Capital Funds, a PE firm sponsored by the TVS Group and Shriram Group, has reached a second close of INR11 billion ($160 million) on its third India growth vehicle.
Southeast Asia VC: Waiting for the breakout
Fundraising has accelerated in Southeast Asia’s venture capital space in recent years, but the ecosystem remains fragile. Expansion will be difficult until GPs can prove the viability of the market to LPs
New Zealand opens $200m VC scheme to private managers
New Zealand has opened a NZ$300 million ($199 million) government-backed venture capital scheme to applications from domestic and international private fund managers.
LionRock teams up with Li Ning for China sports fund
LionRock Capital, an Asian PE firm that counts Italian football club Inter Milan among its previous investments, has launched a sports-focused fund with retailer Li Ning participating as an anchor LP.
China VC and US regulation: Defensive positions
Chinese venture capital firms and strategic investors have found their path to US tech start-ups barred by new regulations. It is possible to find a way around, but it requires compromise
Sony partners Japan's Daiwa for $186m VC fund
Sony has joined Daiwa Capital Holdings, a subsidiary of Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group, for a JPY20 billion ($186 million) VC fund targeting start-ups in high growth industries.
Centurium closes China fund at $2b
Centurium Capital, a private equity firm established by ex-Warburg Pincus China head David Li (pictured), has closed its debut US dollar-denominated fund at just over $2 billion after about 15 months in the market.
Golden Equator to launch $200m SE Asia mezz fund
Singapore’s Golden Equator has punctuated a spate of fundraising activity with confirmation it will launch a $200 million mezzanine and private debt fund for growth-stage companies in Southeast Asia.
Genesis nets $850m for second China tech growth fund
Genesis Capital, a Chinese GP established by Richard Peng, who previously led investments for Tencent Holdings, has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at the hard cap of $850 million.
Japan's TDK sets up VC arm, $50m fund
Japanese electronics giant TDK Corporation has established a venture capital unit with the launch of a $50 million fund that will focus on early-stage start-ups.
Sequoia launches India seed fund
Sequoia Capital is deepening its focus on early-stage start-ups in India with a new seed fund that will invest separately from its existing vehicles.
Q&A: Gaja Capital's Gopal Jain
Gopal Jain, co-founder and managing partner at Gaja Capital, discusses the growing appetite among US institutional investors for Indian private equity and the country’s attraction for US strategic players
Australia's CEFC to invest $70m in clean energy fund
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), a renewables-focused investor backed by the Australian government, has agreed to commit up to A$100 million ($70 million) to a new fund.
LP interview: Unigestion
Asia’s rising levels of private equity talent offer enticing growth prospects for Unigestion’s wealth management clients, but enforcing discipline among emerging markets managers remains a challenge
Paytm founder backs $29m debut fund from India's Roots
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Indian online payments platform Paytm, has joined the INR2 billion ($29 million) debut fund of Indian venture capital firm Roots Ventures as an anchor investor.
Warburg Pincus raises $4.25b for China, Southeast Asia fund
Warburg Pincus has closed its latest China companion fund – which officially includes Southeast Asia for this vintage – at the hard cap of $4.25 billion.
Australia’s Archer targets $208m for sixth fund
Australian GP Archer Capital has revived its plans to raise a sixth fund and set a target of A$300 million ($208 million), more than a year after halting the process amid the planned departure of Peter Wiggs, the firm’s founding partner and CEO.
