Advisory
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
India IPOs: Long-term horizons
Indian PE and VC investors expect domestic and overseas public markets to become increasingly attractive exit avenues for their portfolio companies as the global macroeconomic volatility dissipates
Legal tech segment to see consolidation
Rapid growth in the legal tech segment globally will create M&A opportunities as the market consolidates, according to Dan Jansen, CEO of US-based specialist investor Nextlaw Ventures.
Asia legal tech: Order in court
Legal tech investment is quietly booming from a small base, with the under-digitalized nature of law firms presenting both an opening and an inhibitor. First-mover ecosystems are self-organizing quickly
Portfolio company boards: Gurus wanted
Filling board seats for portfolio companies is more art than science in both private equity and venture capital. Investors must approach the challenge with flexible playbooks
AlixPartners hires managing director for Shanghai office
AlixPartners, an advisory firm specializing in turnaround deals, has expanded its Greater China practice with the appointment of Ford Motor Company's Stephen Dyer (pictured) as a managing director in Shanghai.
In scope: Asian fund managers and Cayman
Asian private equity firms may start moving their fund management entities away from the Cayman Islands due to new economic substance requirements. Is Hong Kong ready to accept them?
LPs ramp up emerging markets due diligence efforts - survey
Private equity investors in emerging markets are expanding the scope of their manager due diligence, driven by the weaknesses exposed in the demise of Abraaj Group as well as by increasing emphasis on environment, social, and governance (ESG) protocols.
Bain & Co appoints new SE Asia, Australia heads
Bain & Company has named new managing partners for its businesses in Southeast Asia and Australia. The appointments come a month after the consulting firm announced a new Asia Pacific head.
China's foreign investment law: A level playing field?
China’s new foreign investment law appears to make life easier for overseas investors in some areas, but uncertainty remains in others. Industry participants are waiting for more details to emerge in 2020
Acuris buys Asian investigations firm Blackpeak
Blackpeak, an Asia-based investigative research firm that counts a number of PE players among its clients, has been acquired by Acuris, the parent company of AVCJ.
Bain & Co names new Asia Pacific head
Bain & Company has appointed Satish Shankar as regional managing partner for Asia Pacific, replacing Dale Cottrell, who has held the position for the past six years.
Hong Kong promises better tax deals, fund structures for PE
Hong Kong will consider altering its tax regime to encourage private equity firms to operate in the territory as well as offering more choice on fund structure through the introduction of a new limited partnership regime.
Asia GP-led secondaries hit record high in 2018
An increase in GP-led transactions propelled Asia secondary market volume to $7.8 billion last year, and more of the same is expected in 2019 – once managers have adjusted their mark-to-market valuations following fourth-quarter volatility in the public...
Hong Kong tax: Playing catch-up
Hong Kong is introducing various initiatives intended to encourage private equity firms to bring more of their operations onshore. A failure to act may see Singapore emerge as Asia’s jurisdiction of choice
StepStone adds partner in Beijing
StepStone Group, a provider of private markets advisory and asset management services to institutional investors, has promoted Beijing-based Vincent Hsu to partner.
