Funds
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...
CanBank Venture invests $4.6m in India's Ashapura Garments
Canbank Venture Capital Fund (CVCF), the private equity unit of Canara Bank, has picked up an undisclosed stake in Gujarat-based Ashapura Garments for INR250 million ($4.56 million).
Continuity Capital to boost Asia credit exposure
Continuity Capital, the Australian private markets asset manager, will expand its Asia credit business from its new office in Hong Kong, with demand for debt-based products in the region expected to remain robust.
CIC, ADM support buyout of Australian lithium producer
Chengdu Tianqi Industry Group, a Chinese lithium products manufacturer, has completed the acquisition of Australian miner Talison Lithium, with support from China Investment Corporation (CIC) and Hong Kong-based special situations group ADM Capital. The...
Carlyle buys Shanghai office tower from Singapore’s Forterra
The Carlyle Group has paid $267 million for Central Plaza, a Shanghai office building owned by Singapore real estate fund Forterra Trust. The deal is further confirmation of private equity firms’ appetite for commercial real estate in China, coming...
Carlyle hires UBS banker to open Indonesia office – report
The Carlyle Group plans to become the first global buyout firm to open an Indonesia office and has hired a banker from UBS to lead its efforts in a country that has so proved difficult to navigate for many larger PE players. Carlyle completed its first...
Advent International opens China office
Advent International has opened its first China office in Shanghai. Advent China will work on local investments the PE firm's core sectors of chemicals, healthcare, retail, consumer and leisure.
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
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
KKR appoints turnaround specialist as Japan CEO
KKR has hired Hirofumi Hirano, who led the AlixPartners team that advised on the turnaround of Japan Airlines, as managing director and CEO for its Japan operations. Current CEO Shusaku Minoda has been promoted to chairman.
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...
Capital Dynamics forms alliance with RMB fund-of-funds Diligence Capital
Capital Dynamics has partnered with China-focused fund-of-funds manager Diligence Capital in a bid to expand its geographic footprint in the world’s second-largest economy
Carlyle passes $1b mark on fourth Asia buyout fund
The Carlyle Group has raised more than $1 billion for its fourth Asia buyout fund, having reached a first close of $700 million last December, according to sources familiar with the situation. The private equity firm is targeting a final close of $3.5...
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.
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...
Australia’s Anchorage closes Fund II at $260m hard cap
Australia-based special situations and turnaround specialist Anchorage Capital Partners has reached a first and final close on its second fund at the hard cap of A$250 million ($260 million). The vehicle, which came in oversubscribed, spent less than...
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.
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.