Fundraising
China establishes $5b SME support fund
China has launched a government guidance fund intended to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with initial capital commitments of RMB35.75 billion ($5 billion).
Fund focus: Beenext targets a world beyond the mirrors
Beenext Capital Management has expanded its LP base while maintaining fund size discipline. This is born of a philosophy that capacity for cross-pollination is more important than capacity for deployment
KKR set for $10b first close on flagship Asia fund
KKR expects to complete a first close of $10 billion on its fourth pan-Asian fund at the end of June.
HQ raises its largest-ever fund-of-funds
HQ Capital has raised $750 million for its latest global private equity fund, which will pursue primary, secondary and co-investments in Asia, Europe, and the US.
Fund focus: Cathay taps strategic expertise in energy
Cathay Capital Private Equity is raising what it claims is China's first-ever smart energy fund, relying on contributions from LPs that offer strategic as well as financial support
ESR raises $1b Korea logistics fund
Pan-Asian logistics investor ESR has raised $1 billion for its second Korea fund with support from APG Asset Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
Coronavirus dislocation funds: Runway watchers
Southeast Asia has emerged as a hotspot for VC funds targeting COVID-19 dislocation. They are flirting with strategies requiring private equity and short-term value investing skills
Beenext raises $160m for emerging markets, Japan funds
Singapore-based VC firm Beenext Capital Management has raised $160 million across two funds that will invest in start-ups in Japan and emerging markets.
Australia's Square Peg raises $240m for third VC fund
Australian VC firm Square Peg Capital has received initial commitments of A$350 million ($240 million) for its third fund from investors including Hostplus and AustralianSuper.
US-Singapore food tech fund to target Asia
Big Idea Ventures, a US and Singapore-based food technology investor, has launched its debut fund with a target of $50 million. Asia is a core market.
Matrix China raises $750m for Fund VI
Matrix Partners China has raised $750 million for its sixth venture capital fund for deployment in early-stage opportunities across the internet and mobile internet, financial services, healthcare, and enterprises services spaces.
Singapore venture debt provider wins US strategic support
Singapore-based venture debt provider Genesis Alternative Ventures has secured an investment of undisclosed size for its debut fund from US-based Capria Ventures.
Singapore's Vulpes launches COVID-19 opportunities fund
Singapore-based Vulpes Investment Management has launched a special opportunities fund of undisclosed size targeting VC-backed companies struggling with the effects of COVID-19.
Cathay Capital raises $120m for China smart energy fund
Cathay Capital Private Equity has raised RMB820 million ($120 million) for its debut China smart energy fund, securing commitments from ALIAD, the venture capital arm of French industrial gases producer Air Liquide Group, among other investors.
Fund focus: Ardian goes large
With $19 billion in dry powder, Ardian is targeting big-ticket transactions in the secondaries space. Asia is becoming an increasingly significant part
Coronavirus & fundraising: Comfort levels
Personal contact with the manager remains a prerequisite for LPs when making fund commitments, but to what extent will recent travel restrictions change the parameters for on-site due diligence?
India's Unitary Helion rebrands as Arkam, reaches first close
Unitary Helion Ventures, an Indian VC firm founded by Rahul Chandra, has relaunched as Arkam Ventures and achieved a first close on its debut fund of INR3.25 billion ($43 million).
Singapore VCs commit $204m in COVID-19 support
Singapore government-connected VC investors Seeds Capital and EDBI have committed S$285 million ($204 million) to support local start-ups facing challenges related to COVID-19.
Korea GPs back $281m Malaysia VC fund
Korea’s SK Group, Hanwha Asset Management, and KB Investment have contributed to a MRY1.2 billion ($281 million) VC fund launched by the Malaysian government.
Kejora, SBI team up on early-stage Indonesia fund
Kejora Capital and Japan’s SBI Holdings have launched an early stage technology fund for Indonesia with a target of $30 millon.
India's Info Edge targets $100m for debut fund
Info Edge India, the holding company for Indian jobs portal Naukri, is looking to raise INR7.5 billion ($100 million) for a debut venture capital fund.
India's Iron Pillar sells GP stake to US investor
Indian venture capital player Iron Pillar Capital Management has brought in US-headquartered real estate investment firm Nitya Capital as a strategic investor.
Ardian raises $19b for global secondaries fund
Ardian has closed its eighth global secondaries fund with $19 billion in commitments, representing the largest-ever vehicle raised for the strategy. The total includes $5 billion for co-investment.
Singapore's Antler launches India operation, targets $50m fund
Singapore-based start-up incubator Antler will launch operations in India later in the year and plans to raise upto $50 million to invest in start-ups in the country.