Fundraising
Canary in the coal mine: GP economics under stress
Still dealing with the fallout from a fundraising boom, mid-market PE firms in Asia face the prospect of smaller vehicles in coming vintages, and team volatility comes as part of the package
Tata fund leverages parent’s brand
The Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF) was launched in 2011 with a mandate to invest into Tata Group companies as well as outside Indian firms. The manager, Tata Capital, announced a final fund close at $600 million last week, making it the largest India-focused...
Carlyle launches Japan fund with $2b target - report
Carlyle is said to have launched its latest Japan-focused buyout fund with a target of $2 billion.
Creador sets $250m target for Fund II
Creador has launched its second fund, targeting $250 million, barely four months after closing its debut vehicle. The private equity firm, which focuses on India and Southeast Asia,expects to reach a first close in August.
Hopu’s Fang Fenglei to raise comeback fund
Fang Fenglei, a former Goldman Sachs banker and co-founder of China Hopu Investment Management, is looking to raise at least $2 billion for his new fund - three years after winding down the previous vehicle.
India’s NSL Renewable raises $30m from ADB
Renewable energy developer NSL Renewable Power Private (NRPPL) has raised $30 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in another round of financing to fund the construction of two hydro-power and wind energy projects in India.
Korea's Kakao, government to launch start-up fund
South Korean mobile app developer Kakao has teamed up with the South Korean government to launch a KRW30 billion ($27 million) fund aimed at supporting start-ups. The Small & Medium Business Administration (SMBA) will back the Kakao Young Entrepreneur...
Something special
It wasn't long ago that Chinese GPs would turn their noses up at any suggestion of specialization. Buoyed by a flood of capital into private equity, the growth capital space morphed into a giant deal shop, with private equity firms pursuing several times...
Armstrong expands team ahead of SE Asia cleantech fund close
Armstrong Asset Management, a Singapore-based investment firm, has appointed Yasushi Ujioka as investment director ahead of a final close on its Southeast Asian cleantech fund.
NYSTRS commits $85m to KKR’s second Asia fund
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has committed $85 million to KKR’s second Asia fund. The vehicle had received $4.8 billion from investors as of mid-April and is expected to announce a final close of $6 billion within the next two...
Japanese corporate pension funds boost alternatives exposure – J.P. Morgan
Japanese corporate pension funds are looking to increase their exposure to alternative assets - including private equity - according an annual survey by J.P. Morgan.
India's Kaizen to raise Asia education fund
Indian education-focused GP Kaizen is eyeing its first Asia-focused education fund, a source familiar with the situation told AVCJ.
IIFL Wealth raises $115m for maiden alternatives fund
IIFL Wealth Management, a division of financial company India Infoline, has received commitments of INR6.2 billion ($115 million) for its IIFL Income Opportunities Fund.
Haves and have nots
It probably comes as no surprise to most readers that Asia Pacific fundraising in the first quarter of 2013 was much slower than in the past. When I covered the tough fundraising conditions in the March 18 viewpoint, I observed that the market is divided...
JAIC spin-out seeks VC secondaries
Private equity secondary exits have seen a resurgence in Japan in the last two years, with more than $5.3 billion transacted. In only one year previously - 2007 - has deal value surpassed $1.3 billion. For two groups of industry participants, the prospects...
China PE and mutual funds: Never the twain shall meet
China’s securities regulator has invited domestic PE firms to raise mutual funds, prompting a rival agency to forbid such a move. Regardless, industry participants are uninspired by this opportunity
Silver Lake closes Fund IV at a record $10.3b
Tech-focused private equity firm Silver Lake has closed its latest global buyout technology fund at $10.3 billion. LPs made capital commitments of $10 billion, while $300 million was committed to the fund by Silver Lake fund managers and affiliated entities....
Caspian launches its first debt fund
Caspian Advisors is targeting $40 million for the first pure debt fund in India's social impact segment. The Caspian Impact Investments (CII) fund already has $10 million in commitments from FMO, Triodos Doen and Hivos-Triodos Fund and Gray Ghost Microfinance...
IFC considers $25m commitment to Motilal Oswal PE fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an equity investment of up to $25 million in Motilal Oswal’s India Business Excellence Fund IIA, which offers growth equity capital to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India.
India's Essel launches $184m real estate fund
The private equity unit of India's Essel Financial Services is targeting INR5billion ($92 million) for its first real estate fund. It will invest in residential projects in large cities across the country.
Ex-JAIC boss to launch Japan secondaries fund
Former JAIC CEO Moriyoshi Matsumoto, who was responsible for the group’s secondaries business, has spun out to create an independent secondary investment platform. WM Partners is targeting up to JPY10 billion ($102 million) for its debut fund, with...
CalSTRS commits to FountainVest, Bain Asia funds
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) committed $120 million to Asia-focused GPs during the final three quarters of 2012, according to a recent disclosure. The pension system also revealed that its private equity portfolio delivered...
Capital Dynamics goes inside-out in China
After a decade spent exploring the possibilities, Capital Dynamic concluded that best way for a global fund-of-funds manager to properly penetrate the Chinese market was "inside-out" - work with people in Beijing who come from Beijing. This is the rational...
1Q analysis: Hard times
Mixed fortunes for Asia buyout funds on the road; large-cap deals weaken, but venture capital activity is on the rise; exits one of few bright spots thanks to spurt in trade sales