Funds
From buyouts to asset managers
Emerging Asia is a key consideration as the global buyout firms diversify their product offerings to meet the needs of a changing market
Q&A: First Reserve Corp's Jamie Paton
Energy-focused private equity firm First Reserve Corporation set up its first office in Asia earlier this year. Jamie Paton, managing director of the company’s Asia operations, assesses the investment landscape
HDFC courts sovereign funds for fourth property vehicle
HDFC Realty, the private equity arm of India’s Housing and Development Finance Corporation, is in talks with Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC), Temasek Holdings, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA)...
VC-backed Lashou targets $100m in US listing
Venture capital-backed Chinese group-buying website Lashou is looking to raise up to $100 million through an IPO on NASDAQ, with the proceeds to be used to expand its operating capacity and marketing.
Asia property funds not suffering from European bank pullback
Most large Asian real estate funds are not suffering from a pullback in lending as a result of the euro zone difficulties because their exposure to European banks is minimal, according to a survey by the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association.
Morgan Stanley's India real estate head to spin out own funds
The head of Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing in India, Naresh Naik, is spinning out of the investment bank to launch independent real estate funds in the country.
VC-backed 6waves buys Chinese game developer Smartron5
Venture-backed social media and gaming developer 6waves Lolapps has expanded its Asian operations via the acquisition of Beijing-based gaming firm Smartron5.
Carlyle poaches Affinity MD to head up Korea operations
The Carlyle Group has appointed Sanghyun Lee as managing director with responsibility for the private equity firm’s South Korean investment activities. Lee joints from Affinity Equity Partners, where he also served as Korea-focused managing director....
PE-backed SkyLand starts production on China-focused movie
SkyLand, the $100 million China-focused film venture backed by Hollywood entertainment firm Relativity Media, SAIF Partners and IDG China Media, has begun production on the film "21 and Over." It is the company's first movie since announcing its partnership...
VIDEO: Globis Capital Partners' Yoshito Hori
Yoshito Hori, managing partner of VC investor Globis Capital Partners, says that Japan is a prime market for venture investing given its talent and landscape for innovation. He stresses that - despite arguments to the contrary - Japan’s venture space...
Blackstone sees opportunities in China's 'economic dislocations'
China’s slowing GDP growth should create “economic dislocations” that translate into acquisition opportunities for foreign investors, according to Stephen Schwarzman, chairman and CEO of The Blackstone Group.
Lone Star sells distressed Japanese golf course asset PGM
Lone Star will divest its 64% stake in distressed Japanese golf course operator PGM Holdings to pachinko pinball machine maker Heiwa Corp. for JPY39.5 billion ($521 million).
Skylark exit helps consign buyout boom to history
With Skylark sold and Yayoi likely to follow it, Japan’s megadeals of 2006-2008 are finally being dismantled and the – relatively meager – profits returned to investors
India's Kiran Energy gets $50m from PE consortium
Argonaut Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and New Silk Route Partners have invested $50 million in Kiran Energy Solar Power, a solar power project developer in India.
KKR seeks $6b for second Asia buyout fund
KKR is targeting $6 billion for its second Asia buyout fund, coming as a host of global private equity firms prepare new regional vehicles.
Korea Post unit looks to invest in global secondary funds
Savings Bureau of Korea Post, one of South Korea’s largest state-controlled institutional investors, is looking to invest at least $30 million in a global secondary fund. It represents one of the savings bureau’s first forays into alternative investments...
Yunfeng Capital creates cloud computing fund with Alibaba
Yunfeng Capital, the venture capital firm set up by Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma, is to create a RMB1 billion ($157 million) fund with Alibaba Cloud Computing. It will invest in cloud computing businesses and developers building applications for Aliyun...
KKR to boost focus on special sits in China
KKR is set to bolster its special-situations capabilities in Hong Kong in anticipation of a downturn in China.
Eaton Vance targets US loans through Australian fund
Eaton Vance Corp. aims to raise $1 billion in the next two to three years for an Australian fund targeting US leveraged loans. It will primarily look to secure capital commitments from Australian pension funds.
Blackstone targets $3b global energy fund
The Blackstone Group aims to raise up to $3 billion for its first energy fund, according to people familiar with the situation. Tony James, the private equity firm’s president, said in an earnings call that initial commitments stand at $1 billion.
Delhi overshawdows Bangalore as startup hub
Delhi has overtaken Bangalore as India’s hub for technology startups, with at least 220 companies launched in Delhi over the past three years compared to 159 in Bangalore, new research finds.
Blackstone announces 3Q loss on drop in valuations
The Blackstone Group posted a loss of $341.9 million in the third quarter compared with a $339.3 million profit a year earlier. The disappointing results came as the private equity firm saw an 11% drop in the value of its buyout holdings amid ongoing...
CDC invests $50 million in Pragati India Fund
CDC Group, the UK development finance institution, has committed $50 million to Narayanan Shadagopan's Pragati India Fund.
VCs monetize energy efficiency
Chinese government incentives to firms operating in the energy-efficient vehicles industry have been generous. Is there a catch?