Fundraising
China launches $1.4b semiconductor fund
Suzhou High-tech Zone has launched a RMB10 billion ($1.4 billion) integrated circuit (IC) fund with support from local government guidance funds, corporates, and financial institutions.
SPACs: Flavor of the month
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) are gaining popularity among private equity investors in Asia. While these structures have various attractive qualities, they aren't for everyone
Australia's OneVentures closes credit fund at $57m
OneVentures has reached a final close of A$80 million ($57 million) on a venture debt fund said to be the first and largest vehicle of its kind in Australia.
Trustbridge spin-out Vitalbridge closes debut China fund
Vitalbridge Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm established by Jinjian Zhang, formerly of Trustbridge Partners, has raised $150 million for its debut fund.
India's True North closes sixth fund below target
Indian private equity firm True North closed its sixth fund last year at about $600 million, falling short of a revised target.
Canyon Bridge, K2 Venture founders join Asia SPAC wave
Two more groups featuring Asian private equity executives have listed special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) on US bourses as interest in these structures continues to rise globally.
Singapore's Her Capital targets $10m for debut fund
Singapore-headquartered venture capital firm Her Capital is seeking to raise a debut $10 million fund to invest in Southeast Asia with a gender lens-focused thesis.
DCP, Qiming support China medical devices fund
Ascendum Capital Partners, a healthcare investment firm established by DCP Capital, Qiming Venture Partners and Chinese medical devices manufacturer Venus Medtech, is looking to raise $200 million for its debut fund.
Asia VC: Vertex's evolving early-stage network
Vertex Holdings’ Chua Kee-Lock likens his network of VC funds seeded by the Temasek-owned entity as a distributed computer system. It will draw down more power as it grows
Wavemaker closes third Southeast Asia fund at $111m
Wavemaker Partners has closed its third Southeast Asia venture capital fund with $111 million in commitments. The target was $100 million.
2Q analysis: Numbers that deceive
Asia has seen remarkable revivals in private equity investment and fundraising – though not in exits – over the past three months. A handful of large-cap situations mask a weak environment
Hong Kong vs Singapore: Onshore overtures
Hong Kong and Singapore both position themselves as the headquarters of choice for private equity firms in Asia. But the competitive dynamics – from politics to structures – are not straightforward
Q&A: Navegar's Honorio Poblador
Honorio Poblador, co-founder at Philippines-based Navegar, explains how his firm is positioning its second fund – newly closed at $197 million – in the face of the COVID-19 downturn
China's Yingke PE raises $286m
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has closed its latest renminbi-denominated fund with commitments of RMB2 billion ($286 million), primarily from insurers and other financial institutions.
Google commits $10b for India digitization effort
Google will launch a INR750 billion ($10 billion) fund to make equity, operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments that seek to increase the pace of digitization in India.
Large-cap vehicles support PE fundraising revival in second quarter
Asia private equity fundraising rebounded from a seven-year low in the first quarter of the year to reach $24 billion for April through June, but commitments were concentrated on a handful of managers.
Lawmakers endorse Hong Kong's fund domicile ambitions
Hong Kong’s updated limited partnership legislation has passed into law, giving private equity and venture capital managers the option of domiciling their funds in the territory.
DCM raises $880m for early-stage funds
DCM Ventures has raised $880 million across two funds that will continue its early-stage technology strategy, with 70% of the capital earmarked for deployment in China.
Navegar closes second Philippines fund at $197m
Manila-based private equity firm Navegar has closed its second Philippines fund with $197 million in commitments. The initial target was $150 million.
Ashva raises $60m for India SME, start-up fund
Singapore-headquartered investment firm Blue Ashva Capital has secured a first close of INR4.5 billion ($60 million) for an India-domiciled fund that will invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
BP commits $70m to Everstone-managed India energy fund
Energy giant BP has agreed to invest $70 million in Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF), a PE vehicle co-managed by Everstone Group that invests in sustainable infrastructure projects in India.
Openspace completes first close on Southeast Asia VC fund
Openspace Ventures has achieved a first close of more than $90 million on its third Southeast Asia fund, which has an overall target of $200 million.
Fund focus: B Capital begins second innings
Growth capital investor B Capital expects enterprise services to feature prominently in its Fund II portfolio as technology ecosystems in Southeast Asia and India continue to develop
Sequoia raises $1.35b for India, Southeast Asia
Sequoia Capital closed its latest set of funds for deployment in India and Southeast Asia with $1.35 billion in commitments.