Funds
Japan's Gree Ventures closes second fund at $67m
Gree Ventures, which was set up by Japanese mobile gaming company Gree, has closed its second early-stage VC fund at $67 million.
Australia's CHAMP PE closes Fund IV at $547m
CHAMP Private Equity has reached a final close of A$735 million ($547 million) on its fourth Australia and New Zealand-focused fund.
Frontline BioVentures merges with WuXi Ventures
Chinese healthcare specialists Frontline BioVentures and WuXi Healthcare Ventures have merged, forming a new investment firm called 6 Dimensions Capital.
SoftBank achieves $93b first close on global tech fund
SoftBank Group Corp. has reached a first close of more than $93 billion on its global technology investment fund. A final close of $100 billion is expected within six months.
Lightspeed China closes debut renminbi fund at $87m
Lightspeed China Partners has closed its first renminbi-denominated venture fund at RMB600 million ($87 million).
Arbor targets $220m for second VC fund, IFC set to invest
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of $15 million in Hong Kong-based Arbor Ventures’ second VC fund, which has an initial target of $220 million.
China aerospace player launches $22b tech fund
China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) has launched a RMB150 billion ($22 billion) fund with a group of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to invest in new technologies.
Shaw Kwei seeks $800m for Asia fund
Shaw Kwei & Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that primarily focuses on the industrial, manufacturing and services sectors in Asia, is targeting $800 million for its fourth fund.
Highland closes Asia, US healthcare fund at $147m
Highland Capital Management has raised approximately $147 million for an Asia and North America-focused healthcare fund, having received an anchor LP commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS).
IFC set to back Stellaris' debut India VC fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a $10 million commitment to the debut fund of Stellaris Venture Partners, a spin-out from Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners.
Japan fundraising: Middle market momentum
Japan’s buyout space has been thrust into the spotlight following a flurry of fundraising activity by domestic private equity firms. Can the middle market retain its sweet spot status?
CLSA closes third Japan fund at $400m hard cap
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has become the seventh private equity firm to close a Japanese mid-market fund since the start of the year, hitting the hard cap of $400 million for its third vehicle.
Iron Pillar reaches $20m first close on debut fund
Indian venture capital firm Iron Pillar Capital Management has reached a first close of INR1.3 billion ($20 million) on its debut India fund.
China's Ping An to launch $1b global fintech, healthcare fund
China’s Ping An Insurance is launching a $1 billion fund that will make financial technology and healthcare investments globally as the company looks to establish a footprint beyond its home market.
Polaris closes fourth Japan fund on $665m
Polaris Capital Group has hit the hard cap of JPY75 billion ($665 million) for its fourth Japan fund, becoming the third Japanese mid-market GP to announce a final close in the space of a week, and the sixth since the start of the year.
Fund focus: SeedPlus focuses on LP selectivity
Jungle Ventures' SeedPlus took its time accumulating $18 million from a set of LPs that can offer particular value-add to complement an operationally experienced investment team
Fund focus: Makara goes global in IP search
Makara Capital has a $716 million fund and a remit to invest in intellectual property-rich assets globally in order to bring greater industrial and technological value to Singapore
Advantage closes fifth Japan fund at $535m
Advantage Partners has reached a final close on its fifth Japan-focused mid-market buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY60 billion ($535 million).
J-Star raises $291m for third Japan fund
J-Star has closed its third Japan-focused buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY32.5 billion ($291 million), having launched the vehicle last summer with a target of JPY30 billion.
New York State Common backs KKR's third Asian fund
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), the third-largest pension fund in the US, has committed $275 million to KKR’s third Asian fund, which has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion.
Fund focus: ClearVue brings consumer clarity
Having raised $362 million for its second fund, and diversifying its LP base in the process, Chinese GP ClearVue Partners has proved there is appetite for consumer sector specialists that have the right skill sets
Singapore government launches $716m PE fund
The Singapore government and domestic GP Makara Capital have launched a S$1 billion ($716 million) private equity fund that will focus on intellectual property (IP)-driven companies.
Fund focus: DSG wins with early-stage angle
Deepak Shahdadpuri's DSG Partners Asia has secured $40 million for its second fund, which targets early-stage consumer opportunities in India and Southeast Asia
SeedPlus Singapore closes debut fund at $18m
SeedPlus Singapore, a Southeast Asia-focused seed fund run by Jungle Ventures, has closed its debut fund at S$25 million ($18 million).