Funds
Japan's Olympus launches VC unit, $50m fund
Japan’s Olympus Corporation has launched a medical technology-focused venture capital unit, Olympus Innovation Ventures, with an initial commitment of $50 million for its debut fund.
India's A91 reaches $550m final close on Fund II
A91 Partners has closed its second India-focused fund with $550 million in commitments, nearly two-and-a-half years after raising $351 million for its debut vehicle.
Indonesia’s Alpha JWC closes Fund III at $433m
Indonesia’s Alpha JWC Ventures has closed its third fund at $433 million, beating a target of $250 million. It is said to be the largest early-stage VC fund targeting Southeast Asia.
VentureTech, SBI launch $18m Malaysia fund
Malaysian government investor VentureTech has teamed up with SBI Ventures Malaysia to launch a MYR75 million ($18 million) technology co-investment fund.
Australia's Rampersand targets $29m for fourth VC fund
Rampersand, an Australia-based VC investor, is looking to raise A$40 million ($29.6 million) for its fourth fund, which will address what the firm describes as a “chronic funding gap in early-stage seed funding.”
Singapore's Quest Ventures launches maritime tech fund
Singapore’s Quest Ventures and ShipsFocus, a specialized start-up services studio, have achieved a first close of S$10 million ($7.5 million) on a maritime technology fund.
Australia's Glow seeks $222m for debut fund
Glow Capital Partners, an Australian private equity firm established by Justin Ryan, formerly of Quadrant Private Equity, and Kate Morris, founder of beauty e-commerce platform Adore Beauty, is targeting A$300 million ($222 million) for its debut fund.
Mizuho spinout targets $263m for Japan buyout fund
MCP Capital (MCPC), a Japanese lower mid-market buyout firm that spun out from Mizuho Bank earlier this year, is looking to raise up to JPY30 billion ($263.2 million) for its sixth fund.
Cross-currency restructuring underpins Ameba's VC fund
China-focused VC firm Ameba Capital has closed its debut US dollar-denominated fund at $265 million, supported by a renminbi-to-US dollar secondary restructuring and a primary staple.
Capital, talent flock to Japanese start-ups - AVCJ Forum
Japan’s early-stage investment environment has improved dramatically over the past several years with the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, industry participants told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
Fund focus: Genesis reinforces Australia’s specialist thesis
Having raised $142 million for its debut fund, Genesis Capital joins a select group of Australian mid-market GPs with blind pools. The firm believes a singular focus on healthcare was a key selling point
3H Healthcare closes second US dollar fund at $330m
3H Healthcare Investment, which specializes in early-stage China biotech and medical devices deals, has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at the hard cap of $330 million.
Apollo bulks up credit team as part of Asia expansion
Apollo Global Management has recruited three professionals from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to join its Asia Pacific credit business.
Baring Asia makes second close on Fund VIII, reaches $8.5b target
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) has completed two closes on its eighth pan-regional fund, receiving commitments of around $8.5 billion – the initial target for the entire vehicle.
Wavemaker launches Southeast Asia climate tech fund
Singapore-based Wavemaker Partners has launched what it calls a first-of-its-kind tech venture builder for Southeast Asia, including a fund targeting $25 million.
Affirma achieves $473m final close on fifth Korea fund
Affirma Capital has closed its fifth Korea-focused fund with KRW543 billion ($473 million) in commitments, marking its first successful fundraise since spinning out from Standard Chartered.
Japan's Keystone targets $440m for Fund V
Tokyo-based Keystone Partners is looking to raise around JPY50 billion ($440 million) for its fifth Japan-focused fund, which will make a combination of growth and turnaround investments.
India's Axis Bank seeks $468m for distress buyout fund
India’s Axis Bank has launched a distress buyout fund targeting INR35 billion ($468 million) via its asset management business.
Japan's WM, AIC launch secondary fund targeting LP stakes
WM Partners and Alternative Investment Capital (AIC) are looking to raise a JPY10 billion ($88 million) secondary fund that will primarily target LP positions in Japan-focused private equity funds.
Q&A: 500 Global’s Christine Tsai
Christine Tsai, co-founder of 500 Global, formerly 500 Startups, reflects on how a planetary approach to seed-stage VC has changed the asset class, the developing world, and the firm itself
China investors see primary, secondary valuation mismatch - AVCJ Forum
Investors told the AVCJ China Forum they believe low valuations in the country’s secondary markets will begin to appear in the primary market. But they are positive on the long-term.
Australia's Allegro seeks $449m for Fund IV
Australia-based turnaround specialist Allegro Funds is targeting A$600 million ($449 million) for its fourth fund, more than twice what it raised in the previous vintage.
Fund focus: Vitalbridge plays it safe
The China-based venture capital firm declined to increase its Fund II hard cap as regulatory uncertainty mounted. It now has $275 million in dry powder earmarked for services digitalization
China's Vitalbridge closes Fund II at $275m
Vitalbridge Capital, a China-based venture capital firm that spun out from Trustbridge Partners, has raised $275 million for its second US dollar-denominated fund.