Funds
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.
Fund focus: Lightspeed ends 2018 with a flourish
Lightspeed China Partners took just three months to raise $560 million for its fourth US dollar fund, which includes a $200 million sidecar for follow-on investments
Baring Asia receives $25m LP commitment from LACERS
The Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) has committed $25 million to Baring Private Equity Asia’s seventh pan-regional fund, the same amount it committed to the GP’s previous vehicle.
TPG, CICC establish dual currency China investment platform
TPG Capital and CICC Capital, the private equity arm of China International Capital Corporation (CICC), have agreed to establish a joint platform that will make investments in US dollars and renminbi.
Macquarie's Luboff to head KKR Asia infrastructure business
KKR has named David Luboff, a former senior managing director of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), to head its Asia infrastructure investment operations.
Fund focus: From Standard Chartered to Affirma
Standard Chartered's private equity team - now known as Affirma Capital - has finally secured its independence through a spin-out backed Intermediate Capital Group
China's K2VC severs ties with spin-out over IP breach
Chinese early-stage investor China Renaissance K2 Ventures (K2VC) has publicly attacked Next Capital - a spin-out from the venture capital firm - for allegedly stealing confidential information.
ChrysCapital raises $867m for eighth India fund
Indian private equity firm ChrysCapital has closed its eighth fund at $867 million. The vehicle was oversubscribed and the fundraising process took four months.
Venture capital: The battle to be different
VC fundraising has been on a roll in Asia as managers raise larger sums to address fast-growing investment opportunities. GPs must consider what – and how much – makes them stand out from the crowd
China Everbright closes global fund at $539m
China Everbright has reached a final close of $539 million on its cross-border investment fund, with the commitments coming from corporate investors, family offices, and fund-of-funds.
Investors turn to private markets amidst downturn fears - survey
Asian institutional investors are looking to increase allocations to private markets in order to mitigate the risks of a potential economic downturn, a new survey has found.
Shenzhen Capital hits first close on debut M&A fund
Shenzhen Capital Group has reached a first close of RMB1.8 billion ($263 million) on its debut M&A fund. The vehicle has an overall target of RMB3.6 billion.
Malaysia's Ekuinas launches fourth fund at $242m
Malaysian government-backed private equity firm Ekuinas has set up its fourth fund with MYR1 billion ($242 million) and an option to increase the corpus to MYR1.5 billion.
Lightspeed China closes US dollar fund at $560m
Lightspeed China Partners has closed its latest US dollar-denominated fund at $560 million. It is the largest fund raised by the firm to date and brings assets under management to $1.5 billion.
Axiom Asia completes $1.6b fundraise
Axiom Asia has closed its fifth regional fund-of-funds at $1.39 billion - beating the target of $1.01 billion - and also raised $210 million for its first dedicated co-investment vehicle.
Adams Street raises $824m for global fund-of-funds
Adams Street Partners has closed its latest global fund-of-funds with $824 million in commitments. It exceeds a target raise of $800 million.