Funds
Ex-Quadrant executive launches consumer-tech PE firm
Justin Ryan, who previously led Quadrant Private Equity’s growth capital strategy, has established a private equity firm that will back e-commerce platforms and consumer brands in Australia and New Zealand.
Australia PE: Brave new world
As Australia contemplates opening its tightly controlled borders and finding a way to live with COVID-19, private equity probes an opportunity set in transition yet surprisingly stable
LP interview: Japan Investment Corporation
Japan Investment Corporation aims to help a sparse venture capital market catch up with a slightly more mature buyout space. Balancing private and public interests remains the key challenge
Fund focus: Lever leverages spiking food tech appetite
The debut fund from Hong Kong’s Lever VC has tapped an infection point in global demand for food innovation. A mix of motivators for entering this space makes the hype feel less like a bubble
Singapore plans pre-IPO fund to attract listings
Singapore’s EDB Investments (EDBI) will establish a pre-IPO fund – with an initial commitment of S$500 million ($370 million) – that is intended to encourage high-growth companies to list in the city-state.
8F reaches $61m first close on SE Asia aquaculture fund
8F Asset Management, a Singapore-based GP dedicated to developing a sustainable salmon business, has hit a first close of $61 million on its second fund, which will build out Southeast Asian operations.
Korean LPs adapt to the new normal – AVCJ Forum
South Korean institutional investors are keen to deploy capital in alternatives, their sentiment towards the asset class boosted by a relatively robust recovery from the pandemic and the stabilization of returns, the AVCJ Korea Forum heard.
IFC plans re-up for A91's second India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed a commitment of up to $25 million in the sophomore fund of India’s A91 Partners, which has a target of $500-550 million.
500 Startups closes $140m global fund, rebrands
500 Startups has closed its largest-ever global fund at $140 million, while simultaneously rebranding as 500 Global and expanding its strategy to include later-stage deals.
Hong Kong's Lever VC closes food fund at $80m
Hong Kong-based food tech investor Lever VC has reached a final close of $80 million on its debut fund, which launched in August last year with a target of $50 million.
Fund focus: AGIC sticks to cross-border growth thesis
Having found its sweet spot bridging the middle markets of Asia and Europe, AGIC Capital plans to stay there – although Fund II will move earlier to capture technology hardware post-commercialization
Jungle hits $225m first close on fourth SE Asia VC fund
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has reached a first close of $225 million for its fourth Southeast Asia fund after four months in the market. The target is $350 million.
China's Future Capital closes debut growth fund
Chinese early-stage tech investor Future Capital has broadened its scope with the closing of its first growth fund at $108 million.
Baring Asia tilts towards growth
Baring Private Equity Asia expects 10% of its eighth pan-regional fund to be deployed in growth-stage investments, underlining how Asia’s traditional large-cap buyout funds are increasing their focus on minority deals in high-growth sectors like technology....
CLSA raises $500m for second Asia private debt fund
CLSA Capital Partners has closed its second Asia-focused private debt fund – and a parallel co-investment vehicle – with $500 million in commitments.
Intudo raises $115m for third Indonesia fund
Intudo Ventures has closed its third VC fund focused exclusively on Indonesia at $115 million after less than three months in the market.
CDC spinout seeks $500m for India secondaries fund
Stratford House Advisors, an India-focused secondaries investor established by two former executives from CDC Group, is looking to raise $500 million for a dedicated country fund.
China's Baidu Ventures closes $400m fund
Baidu Ventures (BV), a venture capital firm established by Chinese internet giant Baidu, has raised $400 million for its third US dollar-denominated fund.
Japan's Coral Capital raises $127m for latest VC fund
Japan’s Coral Capital has confirmed a first and final close of JPY14 billion ($127.4 million) for its third venture capital fund. The vehicle is more than twice the size of its predecessor.
China promises clampdown on illegal PE fundraising
China’s securities regulator has pledged to crack down on illegal domestic private equity fundraising, specifically products that managers claim are aimed at qualified investors but they in fact distribute to the retail market.
Elliott backs Olympus Capital Asia continuation fund
Elliott Management is supporting a $450 million restructuring of Olympus Capital Asia’s third fund, which involves taking out a profit participation loan held by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) as well as buying standard positions from other...
AGIC raises $1.2b for second Europe-Asia fund
AGIC Capital, a private equity firm that focuses on cross-border investments along the China-Europe axis, has closed its second fund with $1.2 billion in commitments.
Secondaries: Straight outta Asia
The growing secondaries opportunity in Asia is attracting more global capital, but managers with strategies dedicated to the region are few. This is changing, albeit gradually
Australia's Quadrant raises $390m for second growth fund
Quadrant Private Equity has closed its second Australia and New Zealand-focused growth capital fund with A$530 million ($390 million) in commitments.