Fundraising
B Capital closes Asia-US tech fund at $360m
B Capital Group, a venture capital firm established by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, has raised $360 million for a fund focused on start-ups that are ready to scale globally.
China's JD.com, Cosmo Lady launch $159m M&A fund
Chinese online retailer JD.com has formed an M&A fund with Hong Kong-listed clothing producer and retailer Cosmo Lady. The target size is RMB1 billion ($159 million).
Hopu secures $2b first close on China fund
Hopu Investments, the China-focused private equity firm led by former Goldman Sachs banker Fang Fenglei, has reached a first close of $2 billion on its third US dollar-denominated fund.
Monument hires ex-Bain IR executive in Japan
Placement agent Monument Group has appointed Kay Sano (pictured) as a representative director in its Tokyo office. She was previously a Japan-based vice president with Bain Capital Private Equity.
Global investors seek more technology exposure - survey
Growth-stage technology has become an attractive investment theme for international LPs and GPs, with both groups planning to increase allocations and devote more resources to the sector, according to a private markets survey conducted by Hamilton Lane....
Baring sets $5.5b target for latest pan-Asian fund
Baring Private Equity Asia has set a target of $5.5 billion for its seventh pan-regional fund. The firm closed its previous vehicle at $3.98 billion in early 2015.
Baidu Ventures makes $318m first close on AI fund
Baidu Ventures, an independent VC firm set up by Chinese internet player Baidu, has achieved a first close of more than RMB2 billion ($318 million) on its second renminbi-denominated fund that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI).
China's Legend Star closes $127m VC fund
Legend Star, the early-stage investment arm of China’s Legend Holdings, has closed its third VC fund at RMB800 million ($127 million).
Cooley hires fund formation partner in Beijing
Cooley has hired Xun Zeng as a resident partner in its newly opened Beijing office. Zeng joins from Ropes & Gray in Hong Kong, where she was a counsel in the private investment funds group.
India LPs: Patient capital
Despite favorable regulatory moves in recent years, Indian financial institutions remain reluctant to invest in private equity. Investors see room for optimism, but they know they are in for a long wait
Spiral raises $64m for debut Japan VC fund
Japan-focused Spiral Ventures – known as IMJ Investment Partners until spinning out from its corporate parent last year – has closed its debut fund at JPY7 billion ($64 million).
Chinese banks to launch debt-for-equity swap funds
Chinese banks will be allowed to raise capital from third-party investors to participate in debt-for-equity swap programs as regulators look for additional ways to alleviate the country’s corporate debt problem.
Australian superannuation reform: Efficiency drive
With proposed changes to Australia’s superannuation system emphasizing performance rather than just cost, more money could be directed into expensive yet high-performing asset classes like private equity
India's 3one4 closes second fund at $39m
Indian VC firm 3one4 Capital has closed its second early stage fund at INR2.5 billion ($39 million), exceeding its target of INR1.5 billion.
Japan's UTEC raises fourth early-stage fund
University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC) has raised JPY15.5 billion ($142 million) for its fourth fund intended to support the development of research conducted at the university into start-ups.
AlpInvest leads $450m stapled secondary for Southern Capital
A consortium led by AlpInvest Partners has made a secondary investment in Southern Capital Group’s second fund that includes a stapled commitment to the firm’s fourth Southeast Asia-focused vehicle.
BGH sets $2b hard cap for debut Australia fund
BGH Capital, the Australia and New Zealand-focused private equity firm set up by Ben Gray, formerly co-head of TPG Capital in Asia, has set a hard cap of A$2.5 billion ($2 billion) for its debut fund.
Creador targets $500m for Southeast Asia, India fund
Creador is targeting $500 million for its fourth Southeast Asia and India-focused fund. The private equity firm closed its previous vehicle at $415 million in late 2016.
Japan's SBI sets up $450m AI-blockchain fund
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan’s SBI Holdings, has launched a JPY50 billion ($450 million) fund that will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
Clearwater, IFC plan $150m distressed asset JV
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank,and Clearwater Capital Partners will together invest $150 million in distressed assets in Asia.
LP interview: CalSTRS
Christopher Ailman, CIO of California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) discusses fund sizes, the attractions and limitations of Asia, the problems of listed PE, and the need for fee reform
Overseas LPs find entering Asia challenging
Overseas institutional LPs – in particular those willing to write larger checks – have found it difficult to access Asia's private equity market, industry participants told the HKVCA Asia Private Equity Forum.
ADB commits $50m to True North's India fund
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest up to $50 million in the sixth fund of Indian private equity firm True North, formerly known as India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA).
India's Pi Ventures reaches $25m second close on AI fund
Indian early-stage investor Pi Ventures has announced a second close of $25 million on its debut artificial intelligence (AI)-focused fund.