Advisory
Alternative fund structures: Alternate universe
Irregular fund structures, including single-asset platforms, are often the most appropriate inroad for investors in developing Asia. But it has taken a pandemic to bring them to the fore
Ex-Unigestion Asia head joins Campbell Lutyens
Eric Marchand, who left his role as Unigestion’s head of Asia Pacific private equity earlier this year, has joined Campbell Lutyens as a senior advisor.
China due diligence: Nightmare scenarios
Luckin Coffee’s precipitous rise and fall is a reminder of longstanding issues around corporate fraud in China. Failing to spot problems before they emerge remains a key concern for PE investors
Hong Kong vs Singapore: Onshore overtures
Hong Kong and Singapore both position themselves as the headquarters of choice for private equity firms in Asia. But the competitive dynamics – from politics to structures – are not straightforward
Cayman fund regulation: Marginal gains
Private equity firms that use the Cayman Islands as a fund domicile are coming to terms with the realities of registration. Is the cumulative weight of increased regulation making them consider other jurisdictions?
Coronavirus & fundraising: Comfort levels
Personal contact with the manager remains a prerequisite for LPs when making fund commitments, but to what extent will recent travel restrictions change the parameters for on-site due diligence?
Coronavirus & due diligence: Split screen
Finding the right balance between offline and online communication for completing due diligence processes is a tricky endeavor for PE and VC investment professionals in Asia
Australia's mid-market: The middlemen
Pure proprietary deals are a rarity in Australia’s mid-market. Most opportunities pass through a fragmented network of advisors, which means private equity firms must get noticed to stay relevant
Coronavirus & capital calls: Time to draw?
With GPs and LPs placing a premium on liquidity, there is more scrutiny of capital call processes. Some managers are pushing for changes to documentation, but will investors relent?
Ashurst hires Danny Tan as Asia investment funds head
Ashurst has recruited Danny Tan from Allen & Gledhill to lead its investment funds practice in Asia Pacific. He will continue to be based in Singapore.
Ex-CPE Capital executive Shane Gong joins Evercore
Shane Gong, who previously led the Singapore office at Australia's CHAMP Private Equity, now CPE Capital, has been recruited by Evercore to head up its PE secondaries business in Asia.
Retail investment in PE: Common stock
Signs are converging that increased retail investor participation in private equity is inevitable. Myriad roadblocks around access, alignment, and infrastructure will inhibit the transition
Australia's Business Growth Fund: Policy props
The Australian government has accumulated $365 million for a fund that will support small businesses. Private equity investors are unsure why it’s necessary and how it will be managed
Hamilton Lane appoints Asia investment heads
Hamilton Lane has named Mingchen Xia (pictured) and Collwyn Tan as co-heads of the firm’s investment business in Asia. They already cover fund investments and co-investments, respectively, in the region.
India’s Sanaka Capital invests $44m in Edelweiss
Sanaka Capital, an Indian private equity firm established by Shankar Narayanan, formerly co-head of The Carlyle Group's Asia growth team, has agreed to invest $44 million in local financial conglomerate Edelweiss.
Due diligence & psychology: Internal audit
PE investors – whether they are putting money into companies or funds – must apply more psychologically informed tactics to remain competitive. It is the industry’s most intellectual frontier
Consumer hardware: Some assembly required
Consumer hardware is a cratered landscape in venture capital, and the risk-reward equation is not particularly well understood. New ways of looking at a traditional industry are needed
MoFo adds fund formation partner in Hong Kong
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has bolstered its Asia fund formation capabilities with the appointment of Nicholas Sheets as a partner based in its Hong Kong office.
Q&A: Natixis' Raghu Narain
Raghu Narain, head of investment banking for Asia Pacific at Natixis, discusses the macro backdrop for China’s M&A market and how shifting priorities will color deal flow to come
Operational due diligence: Query parameters
Institutional investors are taking a closer look at the back-office operations of fund managers in what appears to be a new normal for GP-LP relations. Service providers are circling
India guaranteed return clauses: No sure things
Guaranteed minimum return clauses, and their impact on entrepreneurs, have drawn renewed scrutiny in Indian private equity. Investors say a reassessment of their contribution to value-add is long overdue
Placement agents: Perfect partners?
Once a private equity firm selects a placement agent, they might be working hand in glove on a fundraise for the next two years. A strong mutual understanding increases the chances of a favorable outcome
Women in PE: Change on the agenda
As the private equity industry continues to formalize its approach to gender diversity, deep cultural changes will define the difference between best intentions and best practice
Women in VC: Crashing the gates
VC firms are increasingly serious about identifying and elevating prospective female talent, but the industry’s culture has a long way to go before women can feel truly valued and contribute their best work
