Fundraising
LaSalle Investment to raise $700m Asia property fund
LaSalle Investment Management, a unit of Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle, is seeking to raise $700 million for an Asia Pacific property fund.
Renminbi funds face a new reality
“Do you know a company called [name redacted]?” the colleague asked on the phone. “Yes,” I replied. I had been familiar with the firm and its business model for several years. It is a relatively small outfit based in Shanghai, not widely known...
China to expand insurers' investment scope
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) is likely to announce a new set of rules allowing insurers to expand their investment scope in order to diversify portfolios. As part of the move, the ceiling for domestic private equity investments will...
Renminbi funds face a new reality
“Do you know a company called [name redacted]?” the colleague asked on the phone. “Yes,” I replied. I had been familiar with the firm and its business model for several years. It is a relatively small outfit based in Shanghai, not widely known...
San Diego pension fund commits $50m to FountainVest
The San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA) has committed $50 million to FountainVest China Growth Capital Fund II. FountainVest Partners, set up by former Temasek Holdings executives in 2007, raised $950 million for its first vehicle...
TPG secures pact with Korea’s Vogo
Comparisons between TPG’s tie-ups with Northstar and Vogo are flawed – one is fully formalized, the other is loose. But the private equity firm does appear ready to re-engage with South Korea after a long absence
Maui Capital closes fund at $190m hard-cap
Maui Capital has closed its Aqua fund at its hard-cap of NZ$250 million ($190 million). The New Zealand-based private equity firm had to turn away some larger investors.
SBI, FMO launch $80m financial services fund
Japan's SBI Holdings and Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) have jointly rolled out a new fund that will invest in financial services across emerging Asia. The SBI-FMO Emerging Asian Financial Services Fund is targeting up to $80 million in...
Art and wine funds: The Passion Portfolio
The increase in wealth creation in China has created a generation of HNW individuals intent on investing in art. But can the momentum behind this so-called emotional asset class be sustained?
Q&A: Fosun Group's Xinjun Liang
Xinjun Liang, vice-chairman and CEO of Fosun Group, discusses the rationale for launching private equity funds, and the edge the company has over its competitors.
GSR closes $133m later-stage fund
VC firm GSR Ventures has closed its GSR Opportunities IV fund on $133 million. The vehicle will give existing LPs in GSR’s first four funds the chance to invest in follow-on rounds with top-performing investee companies.
KKR receives $225m from Oregon Investment Council
KKR has won a $225 million commitment from the Oregon Investment Council for its second Asia buyout fund. The buyout firm is currently raising around $6 billion for its KKR Asian Fund II, which will invest across the region.
SBI, FMO to launch $80m emerging Asia financial fund
Japan’s SBI Holdings and Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) will jointly roll out a new fund to invest in financial services across emerging Asia. The fund will have a target size of up to $80 million and is seeking a first close of $60 million....
Bain to target $6b for global fund
Bain Capital has set a target of $6 billion for its new global buyout vehicle, for which it plans to offer three fee options in a bid to attract a more diverse range of LPs.
Indian family offices add to GPs’ options
An increasing number of Indian PE firms are tapping local family offices for capital. Will this new wave of investors stick with the asset class in the long term?
Sequoia Capital raising $1b for funds – report
Sequoia Capital has reportedly hit the fundraising trail again, and plans to raise at least $1 billion for a series of funds, including a China-focused vehicle.
Regional funds and global LPs
One week out of every month, a certain Asia-based fund manager embarks on a trip that takes in three board meetings in three different countries. At each hotel, a packet of documents awaits, which must be reviewed before each meeting. Once he returns...
Apollo, ICICI Venture near $350m first close on distressed fund
Apollo Global Management and ICICI Venture are close to raising $350 million to invest in Indian distressed assets. The size of vehicle is expected to reach $750 million eventually.
Malaysia launches MyCreative Venture Capital
The Malaysian government will launch a MYR200 million ($63 million) fund to support businesses operating in the country’s creative content sector.
China Life injects $315m into CITIC PE's RMB fund
China Life Insurance has injected RMB2 billion ($315 million) into CITIC Private Equity's renminbi-denominated fund. It comes after the insurance giant invested RMB1.5 billion in Hony Capital's most recent vehicle, a source close to the fundraising activity...
Crest Capital acquires 51% of Australia’s Questus
Singapore-based Crest Capital Asia has agreed to recapitalize Western Australia’s Questus in exchange for a 51% stake in the investment company.
Franklin Templeton raises $319m global real estate fund
Franklin Templeton has closed its latest real estate fund at $319.2 million, exceeding the initial target of $300 million.
Ambit Pragma pases halfway point in fundraising for second vehicle
Indian venture capital firm Ambit Pragma has raised $77 million for its second fund. Ambit Pragma Fund II has a final target of $150 million and is expected to close by March 2013.
KKR raises one-third of $6b Asia fund – report
KKR has reportedly attracted commitments of $2 billion in the first round of capital raising for its new Asia fund, which has a final target of as much as $6 billion. The news comes after The Carlyle Group made initial approaches to investors regarding...