Funds
HarbourVest's Kelvin Yap promoted to managing director
HarbourVest Partners has promoted Hong Kong-based Kelvin Yap, who focuses on growth equity and buyout investments in Asia Pacific, to managing director.
Primavera closes second China fund at $1.9b
Primavera Capital Group has reached a final close on its second US dollar-denominated China-focused fund at $1.93 billion, exceeding the target of $1.5 billion.
New Zealand's Oriens Capital to close latest fund above $35m
New Zealand-based Oriens Capital has secured around NZ$50 million ($35 million) in commitments for its latest private equity vehicle and expects to surpass this mark upon final close at the end of the month.
JD.com spin-out launches $500m China VC fund
GenBridge Capital, a venture capital firm whose founders include two members of Chinese online retailer JD.com’s M&A team, is seeking to raise $500 million for its debut China fund.
Fairfax India to raise $500m through public, private offerings
Fairfax India Holdings will raise $150 million though a public share sale and an additional $350 million though a private placement.
Warburg Pincus closes China fund at $2b hard cap
Warburg Pincus has closed its dedicated China fund – which will invest alongside the firm’s $13.4 billion global flagship vehicle in China deals – at the hard cap of $2 billion after about six months in the market.
Q&A: Bain Capital's Steven Barnes
Steven Barnes, a US-based managing director in Bain Capital Private Equity, on how GPs can stay ahead in investment environment characterized by high valuations, low growth, and a degree of uncertainty
Q&A: Värde's George Hicks
George Hicks, CEO and CIO of global credit investor Värde, on looking beyond big default cycles, taking advantage of bank retrenchment opportunities, and the importance of building strong local teams
China Merchants unit commits $13m to AI fund
China Merchants China Direct Investments (CMCDI), a Hong Kong-listed investment entity managed by China Merchants Group and First Eastern Investment Group, has committed RMB90 million ($13 million) to a fund that will target internet and artificial intelligence...
Japan's Global Brain targets $174m for sixth fund
Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain has launched its sixth fund, targeting JPY20 billion ($174 million), which will be deployed in domestic technology companies.
Three GPs chosen to manage Australia biomedical fund
OneVentures, Brandon Capital and BioScience Managers have been selected to manage the Australian government’s A$500 million ($375 million) Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF).
MBK closes fourth North Asia fund at $4.1b
MBK Partners has reached a first and final close on its fourth North Asia-focused buyout fund at $4.1 billion, a significant step up from the $2.7 billion it raised for Fund III.
Fund focus: Jungle plans tech cross-pollinations
Jungle Ventures' latest fund aims to help start-ups in Southeast Asia reach their potential through cross-border collaboration
Fund focus: Faith in Indian modernization
Accel Partners plans to take advantage of India's increasingly affluent and sophisticated population
China VC: Early birds
With concerns that China's venture capital boom is heading for a bust, investors are increasingly targeting early-stage strategies. Renminbi funds are also coming more into the reckoning
China's Huiyin Group launches $20m blockchain fund
Chinese investment firm Huiyin Group has launched a $20 million fund to invest in blockchain technologies.
India's Amicus reaches $90m first close on debut fund
Amicus Capital Partners, an India-focused PE firm founded last year by former executives from the Carlyle Group and India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA), has reached a first close of $90 million on its debut fund.
Rui Ma leaves 500 Startups to launch US-focused fund-of-funds
Rui Ma, Greater China partner at Silicon Valley-based investor 500 Startups, has left the firm and set up her own early-stage fund-of-funds to invest in US GPs.
Sydney Angels launches $15 million VC fund
Sydney Angels, a syndicate of high-net-worth individuals that invests in Australian start-ups, has launched its second fund with a view to raising up to A$20 million ($15 million).
Jungle Ventures reaches $100m final close on SE Asia fund
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has reached a final close of $100 million on its second fund, which will target Southeast Asian technology start-ups.
Accel closes fifth India VC fund at $450m
Accel Partners has closed its fifth India-focused venture capital fund at $450 million, less than two years after raising $305 million for the fourth vehicle.
China Angel Plus raises $100m to back US start-ups
Angel Plus, a Chinese early-stage VC fund established by Michael Yu, co-founder of New Oriental Education, has launched a debut US dollar-denominated fund worth $100 million.
India fundraising: Bifurcation point
Only a handful of India-focused private equity firms have shown they are able to raise funds $500 million or more. With LPs still wavering on India, however, membership of this select group is not guaranteed
India VC: Growing pains
The growth potential of India’s technology sector is unquestioned, but there have been relatively few spin-outs to threaten the incumbents. A couple of track record-boosting IPOs would help matters