Funds
Caspian makes debt breakthrough
After two funds and $120 million invested in equity stakes in small- and medium-sized Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs), Caspian Advisors has decided to change direction. It is launching the country's first pure debt multi-sector fund aimed at the...
Motilal Oswal's Ghosh moves on to start own fund
Somak Ghosh, co-chief executive with Motilal Oswal Private Equity Advisors (MOPE), has left the company to set up Contrarian Capital India Partners and establish a new early stage impact investment fund targeting $50 million.
Vickers Venture exits Singapore's Asian Food Channel
Singaporean venture firm Vickers Venture Capital has exited its investment in the Asian Food Channel after it was acquired by USA’s Scripps Networks Interactive. The details of the transaction were not disclosed.
China's CIC tops overseas investment deals – study
China’s sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation (CIC), was the most active investor for overseas direct investment (ODI) in 2012, according to an index published A Capital, a private equity firm focused on cross-border transactions involving...
Fenox, IMJ to invest in SE Asian, Japanese start-ups
Silicon Valley's Fenox Venture Capital and Japanese mobile solution provider IMJ Corporation have jointly established IMJ Fenox Pte with a view to investing in mobile, Internet and software technologies in Southeast Asia, Japan and the US.
SingTel Innov8 leads $5m Series A round in China's Yodo1
SingTel Innov8, the VC unit of Singapore's SingTel Group, has led a $5 million round of Series A funding in Chinese smartphone game publisher Yodo1. Original investor Chang You Fund also took part in this latest round.
China's VC-backed Light in the Box files for $86m IPO
VC-backed Chinese online retailer Light in the Box could raise up to $86.3 million through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Lunar Capital acquires majority stake in China's Guizhou Yonghong
Lunar Capital Management has acquired a majority stake in Chinese snack food company Guizhou Yonghong, for an undisclosed sum. The company produces and distributes processed beef products under the brand of Niutou, which means Bullhead.
India's Essel launches $184m real estate fund
The private equity unit of India's Essel Financial Services is targeting INR5billion ($92 million) for its first real estate fund. It will invest in residential projects in large cities across the country.
Chongqing launches RQFLP program for offshore RMB funds
The Chongqing government has rolled out a trial Renminbi Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (RQFLP) program, easing the path for offshore renminbi-denominated funds to invest in private equity.
Ex-JAIC boss to launch Japan secondaries fund
Former JAIC CEO Moriyoshi Matsumoto, who was responsible for the group’s secondaries business, has spun out to create an independent secondary investment platform. WM Partners is targeting up to JPY10 billion ($102 million) for its debut fund, with a...
NEA names managing director for Asia
VC firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA) has appointed Carmen Chang as Asia partner and managing director. She is charged with enhancing the firm’s deal flow and brand in China and other Asian markets.
CalSTRS commits to FountainVest, Bain Asia funds
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) committed $120 million to Asia-focused GPs during the final three quarters of 2012, according to a recent disclosure. The pension system also revealed that its private equity portfolio delivered...
Capital Dynamics goes inside-out in China
After a decade spent exploring the possibilities, Capital Dynamic concluded that best way for a global fund-of-funds manager to properly penetrate the Chinese market was "inside-out" - work with people in Beijing who come from Beijing. This is the rational...
Blackstone targets $4b for Asian real estate fund - report
The Blackstone Group is said to be targeting $4 billion for its Asian real estate fund, making it the largest real-estate fund ever devoted to the region.
Bessemer Ventures leads $1m round in Singapore's Nitrous.IO
Bessemer Venture Partners has led a $1 million round of seed investment in Singapore tech start-up Nitrous.IO.
Omnivore Partners buys stake in India's Arohan Foods
Venture capital firm Omnivore partners has bought a significant minority stake in pork integrator Arohan Foods for an undisclosed sum. Assam-based Arohan works with pig farmers across Northeast India and retails pork products across the country.
StepStone reaches $450m close on secondaries fund
StepStone has held a final close of $450 million on its global secondaries fund. The vehicle, StepStone Secondary Opportunities Fund II, exceeded the original target of $350 million with commitments coming from public and corporate pension funds, insurance...
China's SOEs asked to transfer capital gains to NSSF
China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) should transfer their capital gains and ownership shares to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), according to the fund's Communist Party representative.
Capital Dynamics to launch $154m Japan-focused fund-of-funds
Switzerland-headquartered asset manager Capital Dynamics plans to launch a JPY15 billion ($154 million) Japan-focused fund-of-funds. A source familiar with the matter said Japanese corporate pension funds will be among the investors in the new vehicle,...
China travel site Qunar raises new round – report
Chinese online travel bookings portal Qunar has reportedly received $57 million from majority owner Baidu, new investor Hillhouse Capital and existing backer GGV Capital.
Forum Partners appoints Gregory Wells as Asia head
Forum Partners has appointed Gregory Wells as managing director and head of Asia.
Noah's Gopher in $80m first close on China secondaries fund
Gopher Asset Management, the private equity arm of NASDAQ-listed Noah holdings, has reached a first close of RMB500 million ($80 million) on its debut China secondaries fund.
Formation 8 raises $448m, eyes US-Asia VC opportunities
Formation 8, a start-up venture capital firm that targets US businesses with the potential to expand into Asia, has raised $448 million for its debut fund. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, the firm has eight operating professionals based out of offices...