Fundraising
Virtual AGMs & IR: Up in the air
Private equity firms are still finding their feet with annual meetings that no longer take place on the ground. Like it or not, virtual engagement is set to become a larger part of investor relations from now on
ADIA, OTTP invest $1.2b in renewables-focused Equis
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTTP) have confirmed a $1.2 billion investment in Asia-focused renewable energy owner-operator Equis Development.
China's Yingke raises $1.5b technology, healthcare fund
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has raised RMB10 billion ($1.5 billion) for a fund that will focus on core technology and biomedical science assets in China.
Ascent closes debut Myanmar fund at $88m
Ascent Capital has closed its debut Myanmar growth fund with $88 million in commitments. It is said to be the largest private equity fund dedicated to the country.
China distressed asset manager DCL raises $455m
DCL Investments, one of China’s first private equity firms to focus on distressed assets, has raised RMB3 billion ($455 million) for its latest renminbi-denominated vehicle.
Hony closes debut China VC fund at $130m
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has closed its first venture capital fund at $130 million after approximately four months in the market.
Polaris hits hard cap on fifth Japan fund, prepares for final close
Polaris Capital Group has reached the hard cap of JPY150 billion ($1.4 billion) for its fifth Japan buyout fund and expects to announce a final close later this month, according to CEO Yuji Kimura.
SSIAM, Daiwa hit first close on Vietnam fund
Hanoi-based SSI Asset Management (SSIAM) and Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group have reached a first close of undisclosed size on their third joint Vietnam private equity fund. The target is $100 million.
China's Bits x Bites hits first close on second food tech fund
Chinese food and agriculture technology investor Bits x Bites has reached a first close of $30 million on its second VC fund. The target is $70 million.
Lombard targets $250m for fifth Asia fund
Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm Lombard Investments has launched its fifth flagship growth capital fund with a target of $250 million.
Hong Kong's MindWorks seeks $150m for Fund IV
Hong Kong-headquartered VC firm MindWorks Capital expects to launch its fourth fund in the first half of next year with a target of $150 million.
Japan fundraising: Middle-market machine
Buoyed by strong macro fundamentals and robust returns, Japan’s buyout managers continue to attract capital while most other strategies across Asia struggle. Will this popularity be sustained?
TCDRS backs trio of Hillhouse funds
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) has put $200 million towards Hillhouse Capital’s latest Asia fundraising effort, committing to three separate funds.
Legend Star raises $119m for fourth renminbi fund
Legend Star, the early-stage investment arm of China’s Legend Holdings, has raised RMB800 million ($119 million) for its fourth renminbi-denominated fund.
Japan's Genesia Ventures closes second fund at $75m
Japanese early-stage investor Genesia Ventures has reached a final close of $75 million for its second fund, doubling the size of the previous vintage.
India's Taxmantra launches Singapore VC unit, $100m fund
Indian tax and legal services firm Taxmantra Global has launched a Singapore-based VC unit called ProfitBoard Ventures and established a debut fund with $100 million in commitments.
Asian GPs favor Singapore after Cayman as fund domicile - survey
Singapore would be the jurisdiction of choice for Asia-based private equity managers if they could no longer domicile their funds in the Cayman Islands, according to a survey by law firm Walkers.
Fund focus: 9 Basil targets Thai distress
9 Basil's predictions of distress in Southeast Asia have been realized faster than anticipated due to COVID-19. The Thai manager is now gauging the likely impact of social unrest
LP interview: Hermes GPE
Hermes GPE is leaning into Asia as the region proves relatively successful in deflecting COVID-19. This entails a greater focus on growth capital, country funds, and defensive sector targeting
Sinovation seeks $1b for China AI fund
Sinovation Ventures is looking to raise $1 billion for a growth-stage private equity fund that will focus on introducing artificial intelligence technologies (AI) to traditional industries.
SAIF India closes $400m VC fund, rebrands as Elevation Capital
SAIF Partners India has closed its fourth fund at $400 million within a few weeks of launch and rebranded as Elevation Capital.
Legend closes eighth China VC fund on $500m
Legend Capital has closed its eighth US dollar-denominated venture capital fund at the hard cap of $500 million, continuing the rich vein of China VC fundraising.
China guidance funds: Money monsters
Government guidance funds are the policy-driven big beasts in China’s renminbi-fundraising landscape. While GPs may have little choice but to engage, they can do so judiciously
FountainVest poised for first close on latest China fund
FountainVest Partners has set a target of $2.8 billion for its fourth China-focused fund, with a first close of more than $1 billion expected as soon as this week.