Fundraising
Ex-Goldman Japan strategist launches ESG VC fund
Kathy Matsui, formerly vice chair and chief Japan strategist at Goldman Sachs, has launched what is described as Japan’s first global venture capital fund focused on environment, social and governance (ESG).
China's Yingke closes renminbi, US dollar funds
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has raised RMB10 billion ($1.57 billion) for its latest renminbi-denominated fund as well as an undisclosed sum for a third US dollar vehicle.
LPs look for signs of maturity in Vietnam PE - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors are encouraged by the progress Vietnam has made in terms of macroeconomic stability and ease of doing business, but they are still waiting for the local private equity ecosystem to reach its next level of maturity.
Glory raises $120m for second China venture fund
China's Glory Ventures has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at $120 million, with VC-focused fund-of-funds Unicorn Capital Partners serving as the anchor LP.
Stride seeks $137m for second India venture debt fund
India venture debt provider Stride Ventures has launched its second fund with a target of INR10 billion ($137.5 million), with a greenshoe option that could see the corpus rise to INR18.7 billion.
Japan's CyberAgent raises $55m for latest VC fund
CyberAgent Capital, a unit of Japanese advertising agency CyberAgent also known as CyberAgent Ventures, has raised JPY6 billion ($55 million) for its third flagship VC fund.
China's Meridian raises $330m for renminbi fund
Chinese VC firm Meridian Capital has closed its sixth renminbi-denominated fund at RMB2.12 billion ($330 million) after four months in the market.
Japan's UTEC seeks $275m for Fund V
University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC) has secured a first close of undisclosed size on its fifth deep tech fund and expects to exceed a target corpus of JPY30 billion ($275 million) next month.
China's Panacea, Dell family office raise $200m SPAC
Panacea Venture, a China-focused early-stage healthcare investor, has teamed up with Michael Dell’s family office to raise $200 million for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
China distress specialist DCL targets $466m fundraise
DCL Investments, one of China’s first private equity firms to focus on distressed assets, is looking to raise RMB3 billion ($466 million) for its latest renminbi-denominated fund.
SoftBank increases commitment to second Vision Fund
SoftBank Group has increased its commitment to Vision Fund 2 from $10 billion to $30 billion after a revival in the fortunes of Vision Fund 1 meant the company returned to profit over the past 12 months.
James Murdoch launches Asia-focused SPAC
James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will pursue deals in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on India.
LG Chem to anchor IMM's Korea battery fund
IMM Private Equity’s recently established credit unit has launched a KRW400 billion ($353 million) Korea-focused fund that will invest in components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other environmentally friendly industrial materials.
DFIs help Nepal impact fund to $40m first close
Development finance institutions (DFIs) featured prominently in a $40 million first close for the second impact fund from Nepal-focused Dolma Fund Management. The target is $75 million.
CBC Group founder backs healthcare-focused SPAC
Wei Fu, the founder and CEO of Asia-focused healthcare investor CBC Group, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to pursue deals in the sector.
Fund focus: Main Sequence differentiates by going deep
Australia’s Main Sequence Ventures, a government-established VC, has raised 100% of its second fund with outside capital. It credits much of the success to the high barriers of hard science
Ince seeks $450 million for second China VC fund
Ince Capital is preparing to launch its second China venture capital fund with a target of $450 million, less than 18 months after closing its debut vehicle.
Buhuo Ventures completes renminbi fund restructuring
China’s Buhuo Ventures has closed its first US dollar-denominated fund at $100 million, following a GP-led cross-currency restructuring of a renminbi vehicle.
Japan's JGC, Global Brain launch $46m VC fund
Japanese engineering conglomerate JGC Group has teamed up with local VC Global Brain to establish a JPY5 billion ($46 million) fund targeting industrial sector technology start-ups.
Australia's Main Sequence closes Fund II at $194m
Main Sequence Ventures, a specialist deep tech investor established by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has closed its second fund with A$250 million ($194 million) in commitments.
Asia credit fundraising: Middle muddle
Various structural tailwinds are driving the development of Asia’s middle-market private credit space. This doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to raise funds for the strategy
Q&A: B Capital's Raj Ganguly
In the past few months, B Capital Group has closed a late-stage fund, entered China, and moved forward with a seed-stage vehicle. Co-founder Raj Ganguly explains the firm’s thinking
Blackstone in $3.1b first close on second Asia PE fund
The Blackstone Group has reached a first close of $3.1 billion on its second dedicated Asia private equity fund, which is already larger than Fund I.
Bain closes Japan fund at $1b
Bain Capital has closed its first dedicated Japan private equity fund with JPY110 billion ($1.01 billion) in commitments.