Fundraising
India's Quantum launches $1b ESG fund
Indian asset management and equity research firm Quantum Advisors has launched a $1 billion investment fund that will take a PE-style approach to driving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) improvements in listed companies.
Japan Airlines launches $70m VC fund
Japan Airlines (JAL) has provided $70 million for a venture capital fund focused on transportation technology start-ups. It will be managed by US-based TransLink Capital.
CITIC Capital targets China distress
CITIC Capital has established a team to make distressed investments in China, primarily in the real estate sector, and is considering raising a fund dedicated to this strategy.
Japan's TEPCO backs $100m Southeast Asia cleantech fund
Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), Singapore’s WEnergy Global, and ICMG Partners, a start-up accelerator with bases across Asia and the US, have launched a $100 million fund focused on clean energy innovation in Southeast Asia.
Fund focus: Edelweiss scales up for India distress
Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors expands its India distress agenda with a new fund mandated for both direct debt buyouts and equity investments
Redpoint China raises $400m across two new funds
Redpoint China Ventures has closed a $300 million fund focusing on early-stage investments and a $100 million opportunity fund looking to invest in growth-stage companies.
HighLight reaches first close on third renminbi vehicle
Chinese healthcare-focused GP HighLight Capital, which was set up by Steven Wang, formerly of CDH Investments, has reached the first close for its third renminbi vehicle at around 70% of the hard cap.
Ascent Capital launches Myanmar PE fund
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm set up last year with a focus on Myanmar, has formally launched its debut fund with about $50 million in confirmed commitments.
Suning invests in Yunfeng co-invest vehicle for iKang take-private
Chinese consumer electronics retailer Suning has committed $50 million to a US dollar-denominated co-investment vehicle managed by Yunfeng Capital that will support the $1.4 billion privatization of iKang Healthcare Group.
Edelweiss closes India stressed asset fund at $1.3b
Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors, the alternative investment arm of India’s Edelweiss Group, has raised INR92 billion ($1.3 billion) for its second fund focused on investments in Indian stressed assets.
Fund focus: Sizing up selectively
ChrysCapital Partners has increased its fund size and its commitment to operations in response to a maturation of the Indian market characterized by bigger deals and more opportunities to drive change
Fund focus: Matrix doubles down on India
Matrix Partners India closed its third fund in speedy fashion despite ongoing woes about consistency in the country’s venture environment. Patience regarding comparisons with China has been critical
4Q analysis: Defined by uncertainty
Korea comes to the fore as investment in China slows; venture capital and pan-regional players remain preeminent in Asia fundraising; IPO weakness reflects investor wariness
Japan's Mitsui backs $100m VC fund in Israel
Japan’s Mitsui & Co has invested in Israel-based Magenta Venture Partners’ debut fund, which is targeting $100 million and to date backed entirely by Japanese corporates.
Fund focus: Lightspeed ends 2018 with a flourish
Lightspeed China Partners took just three months to raise $560 million for its fourth US dollar fund, which includes a $200 million sidecar for follow-on investments
Asia PE investment hits $183b in 2018
Private equity investment in Asia slowed to $183.3 billion in 2018 – from $207.3 billion the previous year – as a decline in large-scale buyout activity offset a surge in late-stage rounds for technology companies.
Baring Asia receives $25m LP commitment from LACERS
The Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) has committed $25 million to Baring Private Equity Asia’s seventh pan-regional fund, the same amount it committed to the GP’s previous vehicle.
TPG, CICC establish dual currency China investment platform
TPG Capital and CICC Capital, the private equity arm of China International Capital Corporation (CICC), have agreed to establish a joint platform that will make investments in US dollars and renminbi.
ChrysCapital raises $867m for eighth India fund
Indian private equity firm ChrysCapital has closed its eighth fund at $867 million. The vehicle was oversubscribed and the fundraising process took four months.
Venture capital: The battle to be different
VC fundraising has been on a roll in Asia as managers raise larger sums to address fast-growing investment opportunities. GPs must consider what – and how much – makes them stand out from the crowd
China Everbright closes global fund at $539m
China Everbright has reached a final close of $539 million on its cross-border investment fund, with the commitments coming from corporate investors, family offices, and fund-of-funds.
Investors turn to private markets amidst downturn fears - survey
Asian institutional investors are looking to increase allocations to private markets in order to mitigate the risks of a potential economic downturn, a new survey has found.
Shenzhen Capital hits first close on debut M&A fund
Shenzhen Capital Group has reached a first close of RMB1.8 billion ($263 million) on its debut M&A fund. The vehicle has an overall target of RMB3.6 billion.
Malaysia's Ekuinas launches fourth fund at $242m
Malaysian government-backed private equity firm Ekuinas has set up its fourth fund with MYR1 billion ($242 million) and an option to increase the corpus to MYR1.5 billion.