Fundraising
China-Australia biotech fund raises $31m
UniSA Ventures, a tech commercialization unit of the University of South Australia, has secured A$45 million ($31 million) from a group of Chinese investors for an Australia-focused biotechnology fund.
Singapore's Vertex receives $180m for global fund-of-funds
Vertex Ventures, a VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has received commitments of $180 million from Japanese investors for a fund-of-funds that will support its global portfolio of VC vehicles.
Centurium seeks $2.5b for second China fund
China-focused private equity firm Centurium Capital is back in the market looking to raise $2.5 billion for its second US dollar-denominated fund, barely six months after reaching a final close on its first.
Apis closes Fund II at revised hard cap of $563m
Apis Partners has closed its second emerging markets-focused financial services and technology fund at the revised hard cap of $563 million. The initial target was $400 million.
CPPIB commits $600m to state-backed Indian infrastructure fund
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has agreed to invest up to $600 million in NIIF Master Fund, a rupee-denominated infrastructure vehicle anchored by the Indian government.
Circulate hits first close on Asian ocean protection fund
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investor dedicated to stemming plastic waste pollution in South and Southeast Asia, has reached a first close of $106 million for an ocean protection fund.
Prologis launches $1.7b China logistics fund
US-based logistics and supply chain investor Prologis has established a $1.7 billion China fund as part of a broader country expansion.
AIIB, Clifford Capital launch $2b infrastructure platform
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Clifford Capital, a Singaporean infrastructure investor, have jointly launched an approximately $2 billion debt platform.
Accel closes sixth India VC fund at $550m
Accel Partners has closed its sixth early-stage India venture capital fund with $550 million in commitments.
GLP launches $2.1b China logistics fund
GLP, a private equity-owned warehouse operator based in Singapore, has set up a China logistics fund at RMB15 billion ($2.1 billion).
IFC to back Mekong's latest Vietnam fund
IFC has proposed to invest up to $30 million in the latest fund from Vietnam-based private equity firm Mekong Capital.
China's Loyal Valley closes second US dollar fund at $465m
China’s Loyal Valley Capital has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at $465 million. The target was $400 million with a hard cap of $440 million.
Vietnam's FEBE Ventures launches $25m fund
FEBE Ventures, a Vietnam-based early-stage investor set up earlier this year, has launched a $25 million for targeting local and cross-border technology start-ups.
Japan's J-Star closes fourth fund at $443m
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has closed its fourth middle-market fund at the hard cap of JPY48.5 billion ($433 million), up from JPY32.5 billion in the previous vintage.
Australia launches $365m fund to support SMEs
The Australian government has launched a A$540 million ($365 million) growth fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with commitments coming from the country's largest banks.
India middle market: Polarization point
Increased deal flow towards the top end of India’s private equity market is stretching the capacity of mid-tier local managers. What are the implications for co-investment and fund size?
MBK sets $6.5b hard cap for fifth North Asia fund
MBK Partners is looking to become the sixth pan-Asian private equity manager to cross the $6 billion threshold, having set the hard cap for its fifth fund at $6.5 billion.
China's MSA Capital, Bahrain bank launch $50m VC fund
Beijing-based MSA Capital and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain have set up a $50 million VC fund that will target cross-border opportunities between China and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
China targets $7b security industry fund
China Reform Holdings, a state-owned fund manager with RMB700 billion ($100 billion) in assets under management, has launched a RMB50 billion fund that will make investments in the security industry, with a particular focus on technology-enabled services....
Chinese guidance fund secures $21b in LP commitments
China’s Ministry of Finance has rallied state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and local governments to support a RMB147.2 billion ($20.9 billion) fund that will drive a transformation of the country's manufacturing sector.
Norwest raises $2b for latest global VC fund
Norwest Venture Partners, a US-headquartered investor with a strong presence in India, has closed its latest global VC fund at $2 billion. It is the firm’s largest vehicle to date.
KKR targets $12.5b for fourth pan-Asian fund
KKR is looking to raise $12.5 billion for its fourth pan-Asian fund. It is likely to be the largest-ever Asia-focused, US dollar-denominated fundraise, surpassing Hillhouse Capital’s $10.6 billion close last year.
NewQuest collects $1b for Asia secondaries fund
NewQuest Capital Partners has closed its fourth secondaries fund at the revised hard cap of $1 billion, comfortably exceeding the $540 million raised in the previous vintage.
Uncertain times: The outlook for Asia
Private equity activity is lagging in Asia across fundraising, investment and exits as a result of political and economic headwinds. But there is still appetite for new managers and strategies