Fundraising
Hong Kong's Future Fund advised to target alternatives
Hong Kong’s Future Fund, a vehicle intended invest budget surpluses to cover future liabilities arising from an ageing population and slower economic growth, has been advised to target long-term, less liquid assets such as private equity.
Alibaba to launch $316m non-profit fund for Taiwan start-ups
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has earmarked NT$100 billion ($316 million) for a not-for-profit fund that will be used to boost entrepreneurship among young people in Taiwan.
China's N5 Capital launches $200m debut VC fund
N5 Capital, a Beijing-based venture capital firm, has launched its debut US dollar-denominated fund.
LACERA invests $75m in GGV's top-up fund
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) has committed up to $75 million to a new fund launched by Sino-US venture capital firm GGV Capital.
US-based 500 Startups unveils $15m South Korea fund
US-based accelerator 500 Startups has launched another $15 million Asian satellite fund in Korea - called 500 Kimchi - a little over a week after it announced a similar vehicle in Thailand.
Japan's Nippon Venture, ATR set up $42m specialist tech fund
Nippon Venture Capital (NVC) and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto have set-up a JPY5 billion ($42 million) fund for niche technology investments.
Baring PE Asia's Fund VI closes shy of $4b
Baring Private Equity Asia has a reached a final close on its sixth fund at a hard cap of $3.98 billion after less than a year on the market, making it the largest ever close reached by an Asia-based GP.
TRS Illinois backs RRJ, Carlyle Japan funds amid $900m strategy
US-based pension fund Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) of the State of Illinois is backing RRJ Capital's third flagship fund and The Carlyle Group's third Japanese buyout as part of $900 million worth of commitments planned across nine alternative investment...
Shunwei closes first RMB fund at $160m
Shunwei Capital Partners, a Chinese VC firm set up by Lei Jun, a founder of mobile phone maker Xiaomi, has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund at RMB1 billion ($160 million).
US accelerator 500 Startups launches $10m Thai fund
Silicon Valley-based accelerator and early stage investor 500 Startups is understood to be launching a new $10 million micro-fund for Thailand.
China's $40b Silk Road infrastructure fund goes to work
China has started operating its $40 billion Silk Road infrastructure fund targeting businesses in neighboring countries and regions.
Israeli Rainbow Medical raises $25m from Chinese investors
Rainbow Medical, an Israeli medical investment firm, has raised $25 million from a group of Chinese investors including Ping An Insurance and telecom giant ZTE Corporation,financial company Yongjin Group and undisclosed Chinese venture capital funds....
Japan's SBI, Thailand's Finansia form SE Asia PE venture
Japan's SBI Holdings and Thai financial group Finansia has together set up SBI Finansa Private Equity Partners to target investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Australia drafts new rules for VC investor visa scheme
The Australian government plans to change the current rules for its Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program as part of efforts to boost the availability of capital for local start-ups.
Australia's QIC raises an initial $528m for global infrastructure fund
QIC, an investment manager controlled by the Queensland government, has secured initial commitments of $528 million from four institutional investors for a global infrastructure fund.
Equis in $1.7b fundraising bonanza
Equis Funds Group's first foray into Japan’s solar energy sector was at least 18 months in the making. The energy and infrastructure-focused GP mapped the entire region in terms of solar power potential and regulatory factors then, working with Partners...
Singapore start-ups: Another option
The Singapore Exchange and Clearbridge Accelerator are launching a capital-raising platform for Asian start-ups. Does it represent a much-needed stepping stone between private and public markets?
Placement agent Monument hires Amundsson in Hong Kong
Monument Group has hired Niklas Amundsson, formerly of MVision, as a managing director in its Hong Kong office, which officially opened early last year.
Japan messaging app Line launches $42m investment fund
Japanese messaging app developer Line Corporation has launched a JPY5 billion ($42 million) investment fund to invest in start-ups.
VIDEO: MVision's Mounir Guen
There have been considerable improvement in Asian PE firms’ internal processes covering disclosure, governance and best practice, but the sheer LP demand for exposure to the region could push managers towards unsustainable fund sizes, says Mounir Guen,...
Equis raises $1.7b for Asia energy, infrastructure investments
Asia-focused energy and infrastructure GP Equis Funds Group has closed its second fund at $1 billion and also raised $300 million for a follow-on vehicle to Fund I and $400 million for two existing platform investments.
Laser tech firm, Guosen plan China robotics fund
Guosen H&S Investment, a PE investment arm of state-owned Guosen Securities, has teamed up with Shenzhen-based Han’s Laser Technology to form a RMB1 billion ($160 million) industry fund that will target robotic projects.
Hahn & Co gets $1.9b for two funds
Christmas holidays are a rarity at Hahn & Co. The Korean buyout firm’s acquisition of Posfine, a slag powder business owned by steelmaker Posco, closed on December 30. The 2013 seasonal period was dominated by negotiations over a majority stake in Hanjin’s...
Asian GPs and AIFMD: Shades of gray
Many Asian managers are coming to terms with how the EU’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers’ Directive might impact their fundraising plans. Unfortunately the legislation remains difficult to fathom