Funds
Beikai Capital launches $79m RMB fund
Private equity firm Beikai Capital, formerly a unit of Balloch Group, has established a RMB500 million ($78.7 million) fund in collaboration with a Nanjing-based venture capital firm.
Judge rules on VisionChina case
Venture investors in Shanghai-based subway mobile television advertiser Digital Media Group (DGM) have begun taking steps to attach $30 million of assets belonging to out-of-home digital advertising network VisionChina Media following a ruling by the...
Blackstone, Carlyle near Reliance tower acquisition - report
A consortium comprised of The Blackstone Group and The Carlyle Group may purchase Reliance Group’s cellular towers by December, in a deal that will finally see the Indian communications major divest its ailing tower assets.
Ex-Och-Ziff exec sets up Clifton Real Estate
A former employee of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group has established a new Singapore-based firm which will invest in small and medium-sized properties.
RMB fund vs. USD fund issue losing importance - AVCJ Forum
The internationalization of the renminbi is rendering the US dollar fund versus renminbi fund debate increasingly irrelevant, according to panelists at the AVCJ Investment Summit on Thursday.
Investors eye openings in Asia special situations
Distressed opportunities are being flagged up as a key investment area in Asia as several economies in the region face slowing growth and tightening monetary conditions.
Pension funds still committed to pan-Asian, global funds
Institutional limited partners are becoming more nuanced in their appreciation of private equity opportunities in the region but this doesn’t necessarily signal a wholesale shift away from pan-Asian or global funds.
GPs highlight merits of differentiation – AVCJ Forum
General partners stressed the need for differentiation in devising strategies to capitalize on private equity growth in Asia Pacific.
Gresham seeks buyer for New Zealand's Noel Leeming Group
Australian PE firm Gresham has reportedly appointed Macquarie Group to advise on the sale of New Zealand appliance retailer Noel Leeming Group, an asset that it has owned for seven years.
Chinatrust Financial plans $300m maiden VC fund
Taiwan’s third-largest financial services firm Chinatrust Financial is raising a $300 million venture capital fund – its first - targeting Taiwanese companies operating in China.
Q&A: Headland Capital Partners' George Raffini
After 21 years as a captive, HSBC’s Asia private equity unit spun out last year as Headland Capital Partners. Managing Partner George Raffini looks back on 12 months of change.
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).
Asian infrastructure: Building blocks
There is no denying the potential for infrastructure investment in Asia. Although the policies and structures governing private equity involvement are improving, it remains difficult terrain.