Funds
Ascendent sets $800m target for third China fund
Ascendent Capital Partners is seeking $800 million for its third China mid-market fund. The GP closed its previous vehicle at $600 million in 2015.
China distress: Second cycle
Investors are looking to capitalize on the China distress opportunity, and recent activity in around non-performing loans suggests there will be enough deal flow to sate their appetites
Fund focus: Redpoint China leverages its brand
Redpoint China Ventures secures $400 million for its traditional early-stage investments as well as for an expansion into growth round coverage
Invascent closes India healthcare fund at $250m hard cap - update
Invascent Capital, an Indian healthcare-focused GP, has closed its third vehicle at the hard cap of $250 million.
Investcorp acquires PE business of India's IDFC
Bahrain-listed asset management firm Investcorp has made its first direct investment in India, acquiring the private equity and real estate investment businesses of IDFC Alternatives, the alternative asset investment arm of IDFC Group.
ClearVue targets $600m for third China consumer fund
China consumer-focused private equity firm ClearVue Partners is seeking to raise $600 million for its third fund. It comes nearly two years after the GP closed Fund II at $362 million.
India's Quantum launches $1b ESG fund
Indian asset management and equity research firm Quantum Advisors has launched a $1 billion investment fund that will take a PE-style approach to driving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) improvements in listed companies.
Japan Airlines launches $70m VC fund
Japan Airlines (JAL) has provided $70 million for a venture capital fund focused on transportation technology start-ups. It will be managed by US-based TransLink Capital.
CITIC Capital targets China distress
CITIC Capital has established a team to make distressed investments in China, primarily in the real estate sector, and is considering raising a fund dedicated to this strategy.
Sequoia launches accelerator for India, Southeast Asia start-ups
Sequoia Capital has launched Surge, an accelerator program aimed at start-ups that are either based in or targeting India and Southeast Asia.
Värde promotes Asia credit head to partner
Värde Partners has promoted Haseeb Malik, a senior managing director based in its Singapore office and head of Asia corporate and traded credit, to partner. It is one of three senior promotions announced by the firm worldwide.
Profile: EmergeVest's Heath Zarin
Heath Zarin has taken EmergeVest out of the Asian private equity mainstream, leveraging a specialist strategy and operational expertise to create the UK’s largest private logistics business
Fund focus: Edelweiss scales up for India distress
Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors expands its India distress agenda with a new fund mandated for both direct debt buyouts and equity investments
China's sharing economy: Shared dilemma
With Ofo teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, bike-sharing and the broader concept of the sharing economy in China is being called into question. The survivors will be sustainable and suitably differentiated
Redpoint China raises $400m across two new funds
Redpoint China Ventures has closed a $300 million fund focusing on early-stage investments and a $100 million opportunity fund looking to invest in growth-stage companies.
Shanghai launches $7.35b biotech fund
The Shanghai government has launched a biotech sector-focused fund targeting a hard cap of RMB50 billion ($7.35 billion) in partnership with Guotai Junan Securities, China Pacific Insurance and Shanghai Zhangjiang Group.
HighLight reaches first close on third renminbi vehicle
Chinese healthcare-focused GP HighLight Capital, which was set up by Steven Wang, formerly of CDH Investments, has reached the first close for its third renminbi vehicle at around 70% of the hard cap.
Ascent Capital launches Myanmar PE fund
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm set up last year with a focus on Myanmar, has formally launched its debut fund with about $50 million in confirmed commitments.
Edelweiss closes India stressed asset fund at $1.3b
Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors, the alternative investment arm of India’s Edelweiss Group, has raised INR92 billion ($1.3 billion) for its second fund focused on investments in Indian stressed assets.
LP interview: PennSERS
Bryan Lewis, CIO of Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System, discusses accessing Asia, approaches to co-investment, and paring a bloated PE portfolio into a smaller set of strategic relationships
Fund focus: Sizing up selectively
ChrysCapital Partners has increased its fund size and its commitment to operations in response to a maturation of the Indian market characterized by bigger deals and more opportunities to drive change
Fund focus: Matrix doubles down on India
Matrix Partners India closed its third fund in speedy fashion despite ongoing woes about consistency in the country’s venture environment. Patience regarding comparisons with China has been critical
Carlyle makes six promotions in Asia
The Carlyle Group has promoted Ling Yang, a managing director in the firm’s Shanghai office, to partner. Yang is one of 60 senior promotions announced by Carlyle worldwide, including six in the Asia buyout team.
Japan's Mitsui backs $100m VC fund in Israel
Japan’s Mitsui & Co has invested in Israel-based Magenta Venture Partners’ debut fund, which is targeting $100 million and to date backed entirely by Japanese corporates.