Fundraising
Gobi reaches $256m target for Greater Bay Area fund
Gobi Partners has reached its HKD 2bn (USD 256m) target for AEF Greater Bay Area (GBA) Fund, the successor to Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, according to Chibo Tang, a managing partner with the firm.
Singapore commits $111.5m to fintech ecosystem
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has committed to invest up to SGD 150m (USD 111.5m) over three years in the local VC and financial technology start-up ecosystem.
Malaysia's Vynn achieves first close on second VC fund
Malaysia-based early-stage investor Vynn Capital has reached a first close of unspecified size on its second fund, with strong support from corporates and family offices in Southeast Asia.
BlackRock, New Zealand launch $1.2b climate fund
BlackRock will manage a climate fund launched alongside the New Zealand government with a target of NZD 2bn (USD 1.2bn). It will focus on renewable energy.
Australia's Side Stage hits first close on VC fund
Side Stage Ventures, an Australian early-stage investor set up last year, has reached a first close of AUD 15m (USD 9.8m) on its debut fund. The target is AUD 30m.
GLP closes $556m renminbi clean energy fund
GLP Capital Partners, an alternatives fund manager controlled by warehouse operator turned logistics and infrastructure investment manager GLP, has closed a CNY 4bn (USD 556m) China clean energy fund.
India's Elev8 hits $67m first close on maiden fund
India’s Elev8 Venture Partners has reached a first close of USD 67m on its debut growth-stage venture fund with Korea’s KB Investment as the anchor LP. The target is USD 200m.
Japan's Endeavour United closes Fund III on $370m
Japanese middle market private equity firm Endeavour United has closed its third fund with JPY 53bn (USD 370m) in commitments, a two-thirds increase in size on the previous vintage.
Longreach targets $800m for Japan, Greater China mandate
The Longreach Group is looking to raise USD 800m for its fourth fund, which will continue the firm’s existing strategy of mid-market control deals in North Asia with an emphasis on Japan.
India's Pi Ventures closes second fund with $85m
India’s Pi Ventures, an artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech specialist, has closed its second fund with INR 7bn (USD 85m) in commitments.
Japan's Miyako targets $140m for third VC fund
Japan’s Miyako Capital, an independent VC firm affiliated with Kyoto University, has launched its third deep tech fund with a target of JPY 20bn (USD 140.2m).
AVCJ Awards 2023 - nominations have closed
Nominations for the 2023 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards have now closed. Thanks to all who participated. Voting will open in about two weeks.
MBK launches sixth North Asia fund, targets $7b
North Asia-focused buyout firm MBK Partners has set a target of USD 7bn for its sixth flagship fund, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
5Y seeks $700m for latest China VC fund
China-focused 5Y Capital has set a target of USD 700m for its latest venture capital fund – in line with what the manager raised in the previous vintage.
Korea’s UCK Partners surpasses $770m on Fund III
UCK Partners, a South Korean private equity firm formerly known as Unison Capital Korea, has accumulated approximately KRW 1trn (USD 777m) across two incremental closes on its third fund.
Deal focus: Change at the margins for Proterra Asia
Proterra Asia has been investing in food and agriculture across the region for 13 years. This will continue, regardless of tweaks in management entity ownership and fund structure
India's Together seeks $150m for second VC fund
India’s Together Fund, an early-stage VC firm focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and software-as-a-service (SaaS), has reached a first close of undisclosed size on its second fund. The target is $150m.
Goodwater raises $1b across two funds
Goodwater Capital, a US-based VC firm with a presence in Korea and significant Asia exposure, has raised USD 1bn across two funds. It brings assets under management to USD 3.3bn.
Australia's Main Sequence hits $305m first close on Fund III
Australian deep tech VC firm Main Sequence has reached a AUD 450m (USD 305m) first close on its third fund, bringing overall funds under management to about AUD 1bn.
Fund focus: Eurazeo’s climate thesis resonates with LPs
Eurazeo shattered the target for its second smart city fund thanks to an agenda that dovetails with LP interest in decarbonisation. Nine Asian LPs backed the fund and 35% of the corpus will be deployed in the region
Mirae Asset PE arm seeks $200m for Fund II
Maps Capital, a private equity investment arm of Mirae Asset Financial Group, has launched its second US dollar-denominated fund with a target of USD 200m.
Japanese power producer Jera launches $300m VC unit
Japanese power producer and utility Jera has launched a USD 300m venture capital programme aimed at sustainability-themed technology start-ups and related funds.
Eurazeo draws on Asian support for $448m smart city fund
France-based GP Eurazeo won support from several Asian institutional investors for its latest smart city fund, which has closed on EUR 400m (USD 445m). The vehicle is also expected to deploy significantly in the region.
Asia fundraising frustrates in first half of 2023
Asia PE fundraising reached USD 60.3bn in the first half of 2023, down 7.6% year-on-year, but the total was still skewed upwards by activity in the renminbi-denominated space. Capital committed to US dollar funds alone was USD 21.8bn, down from USD 48.2bn.