Funds
NZVIF expands seed-stage mandate
The New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF), a government-sponsored fund-of-funds, has doubled the investment cap of its seed-stage vehicle to NZ$1.5 million ($1.1 million) per company.
IFC proposes $5m commitment to Wavemaker Southeast Asia fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $5 million to Wavemaker Partners’ Southeast Asia-focused venture capital fund.
Lilly Asia closes healthcare fund at $450m hard cap
China-focused Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) has closed its fourth healthcare-focused fund at the hard cap of $450 million.
Australia's LaunchVic terminates partnership with 500 Startups
LaunchVic, a start-up investment fund backed by the government of Victoria, has ended its planned partnership with 500 Startups in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal at the Silicon Valley-based accelerator.
KKR opens Shanghai office
KKR has opened an office in Shanghai, its third base in Greater China and eighth in Asia Pacific. The move comes two months after the firm closed its third pan-regional fund at $9.3 billion.
InnoVen co-founders launch India venture debt fund
Ajay Hattangdi (pictured) and Vinod Murali, co-founders of venture debt firm InnoVen Capital, have established their own India venture debt business and are looking to raise a $155 million fund, including a $30 million greenshoe option.
Alibaba's Tmall leads $300m round for PE-backed Yiguo
Tmall, Alibaba Group’s B2C e-commerce unit, has led a $300 million Series D round for Yiguo.com, a PE-backed Chinese grocery shopping platform. This is the fourth time an Alibaba entity has invested in the company.
NYSTRS to invest $100m in ADV's second Asia fund
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has disclosed a commitment of $100 million to ADV Partners’ second Asian special situations fund. The PE firm closed its debut vehicle at $545 million in 2015.
Q&A: Permira's Alex Emery
Alex Emery, head of Asia at Permira, on global funds versus regional funds, escalations in dry powder and deal size, and how to lay the ground for when the current bull run inevitably comes to an end
Blue Lake reaches $120m first close on China VC fund
Blue Lake Capital, a China-focused VC firm led by two former GGV Capital and Sequoia Capital executives, has reached a first close of more than $120 million on its second early-stage fund. The full target is $200 million.
Jafco buys back $577m in shares from investors
Japanese venture capital firm Jafco has agreed to buy back JPY63.8 billion ($577.4 million) worth of shares from its major shareholders, including Nomura Holdings.
Singapore's Prestellar raises $100m VC fund
Prestellar Ventures, a Singapore-based GP backed by two Nepalese companies as well as Indian microfinance institution Satin Creditcare and India-focused investor Frontline Strategies, has raised a $100 million fund.
SAIF India raises $350m for third fund
SAIF India has raised $350 million for its third fund aimed at investments in both public and private companies at varying stages of development.
PennSERS commits $100m to Asia Alternatives
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has extended its long-standing relationship with Asia Alternatives, allocating $50 million to the firm’s latest fund-of-funds product and a further $50 million to a separate account.
PAG to raise $500m China growth fund
PAG Asia Capital is raising a $500 million China growth fund, which will enable the firm to target middle-market deals that fall below the minimum check size for its pan-Asian vehicle.
India's IIML raises infrastructure fund target to $1b
IL&FS Investment Managers (IIML), the private equity arm of India’s Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), has raised the target of its infrastructure fund to $1 billion.
Partners Group raises $7b for direct PE deals
Partners Group has achieved a close of EUR6 billion ($7 billion) on its latest direct private equity fund. It is the firm's largest fundraise to date.
Singapore tech group launches $150m VC fund, incubator
Singapore-based industrial technology company ST Engineering has launched a $150 million venture capital unit and associated start-up incubator.
China project funds: Cut to fit
Project funds have become popular in China on the back of increased demand for PE exposure from corporates and high net worth individuals. It remains to be seen if they have true staying power
Australia's Westpac in talks to sell Hastings fund business
Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp. has entered exclusive negotiations to sell Hastings Fund Management to Australia-listed property developer Charter Hall Group.
Carlyle targets $5b for Asia buyout fund
The Carlyle Group is looking to raise $5 billion for its fifth Asia buyout fund. The private equity firm closed its previous pan-regional vehicle at $3.9 billion in 2014 after more than two years of fundraising.
Corporate VC offers unique benefits in Southeast Asia – AVCJ Forum
Corporate venture capital investment can fill an important niche in supporting Southeast Asia’s start-up ecosystem, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
PE increases share of $4t global alternatives pool - survey
Assets held by the world’s 100 largest managers increased 10% to $4.01 trillion in 2016 as growth in commitments to private equity, real estate, and credit more than offset a decline in hedge funds. Approximately 8% of these assets are invested in Asia...
Bank sell-downs drive Asia credit opportunities – AVCJ Forum
As banks look to reduce their exposure to Asian non-performing loans (NPLs), private lenders that can offer more flexibility on terms are seeing increased opportunities for investment, industry professionals told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.