Fundraising
SDG-focused platform to pump $500m into emerging markets
Several public sector organizations have committed $500 million to six funds managed by Bamboo Capital Partners under a new investment platform dedicated to achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Fund focus: Lexington targets growing Asia secondaries market
Having closed its ninth fund at $14 billion, Lexington Partners is hunting for assets in a secondary market that is becoming ever larger and diverse. Asia is on the agenda, whether it’s GP-led restructurings or LP portfolios
4Q analysis: On trend
The last three months of 2019 were consistent with the preceding nine as pan-regional fundraising remained weak and exits continued to disappoint. Only investment rebelled against the status quo
MassMutual establishes second VC fund for Southeast Asia
US-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has established a second venture capital fund for Southeast Asia with a corpus of $100 million.
Baring Asia closes Fund VII at $6.5b
Baring Private Equity Asia has closed its seventh fund with commitments of $6.5 billion. It is the fourth-largest pan-Asian private equity vehicle ever raised.
India's Wipro Ventures raises $150m for second global fund
Wipro Ventures, a venture capital investment arm of the eponymous Indian enterprise software provider, has raised $150 million for its second fund.
Ex-GE Capital executives target $300m for Asia credit fund
Sammasan Capital, a credit investment firm established by two former executives with GE Capital in Asia, is looking to raise up to $300 million for its debut fund.
Venture Highway raises $79m for second India seed fund
New Delhi-headquartered venture capital firm Venture Highway has raised $78.6 million for its second fund, which will focus on early-stage investments in technology start-ups.
Asia PE fundraising falls 28% in 2019
Capital committed to Asia-focused private equity managers fell 28% year-on-year to $104.4 billion in 2019, largely due to a drop-off in activity in the pan-regional buyout and venture capital segments. Investments and exits were also down on the previous...
Fund focus: Korea’s midcap buyout space comes into focus
VIG Partners believes its recent $810 million fundraise validates the firm's middle-market strategy and spur the emergence of new domestic GPs in this area
AVCJ Awards 2019: Firm of the Year - Large Cap: PAG
China’s private consumption story continues to be a driving force for PAG Asia Capital. The GP also won prizes for Deal of the Year - Large Cap and Fundraising of the Year - Large Cap
Australia's AMP Capital closes global infra fund at $3.4b
Australia’s AMP Capital has closed its latest global infrastructure fund with $3.4 billion in commitments. The target was $3 billion.
Fund focus: Unicorn prepares for turbulence in China's VC space
China-focused venture capital fund-of-funds Unicorn Capital Partners, which has raised $350 million for its latest vehicle, expects consolidation in the tech investment space as underperforming GPs flounder
Ascendent surpasses $1b for latest China fund
Ascendent Capital Partners has closed its third China fund with more than $1 billion in commitments, having increased the hard cap.
Ex-Baidu executive raises $29m China business services fund
Longzhong Xinyi, a venture capital firm established by Hailong Xiang (pictured), formerly a senior executive at Baidu, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) for its debut fund.
VIG reaches $810m final close on fourth Korean fund
VIG Partners has closed its fourth Korea-focused fund at $810 million, with approximately half the commitments coming from international investors. This compares to 30% for Fund III, which closed at $600 million in 2017.
Timeline: 2019 by numbers
A selection of the key fundraising, investment and exit events - presented in chronological order - from the past 12 months
CPPIB to invest $225m in Bain, Piramal India distress fund
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has committed $225 million to India Resurgence Fund (India RF), a distressed assets investment platform established by Bain Capital Credit and Piramal Enterprises.
Indonesia’s Alpha JWC Ventures closes second fund at $123m
Indonesia-based early-stage investor Alpha JWC Ventures has closed its second fund oversubscribed at $123 million.
AIIB backs two energy, infrastructure funds
China-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is set to anchor two private equity funds, including an energy-focused vehicle, with a total commitment of $125 million.
Fund focus: Azalea embraces equity with fund-of-funds offering
Temasek Holdings-owned Azalea Asset Management previously used debt structures to give high net worth investors PE exposure. Its $650 million fund-of-funds is the firm’s first direct equity offering
3one4 closes India venture, seed funds
India’s 3one4 Capital has closed its latest venture capital fund with INR4 billion ($57 million) in commitments and raised INR450 million for seed investment vehicle.
2019 in review: Falling short
Fundraising, investment and exits in Asia are unlikely to match last year as pan-regional funds take a back seat, large-cap buyouts remain in short supply, growth-stage tech loses its edge, and IPOs flounder
China-Australia biotech fund raises $31m
UniSA Ventures, a tech commercialization unit of the University of South Australia, has secured A$45 million ($31 million) from a group of Chinese investors for an Australia-focused biotechnology fund.
