Fundraising
Unigestion raises $291m for direct opportunities fund
Wealth management firm and PE fund-of-funds Unigestion has closed a direct opportunities fund at EUR255 million ($291 million).
Cathay raises $320m for China-US-Europe VC fund
Middle-market private equity firm Cathay Capital Private Equity has closed its first venture capital fund at $320 million with a mandate spanning China, Europe, and North America.
China, Russia plan $10.5b in OBOR investments
China and Russia have agreed to invest about $10.5 billion in two cross-border development funds as part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
US pension funds & PE: Public service remit
US public pension funds are active investors in private equity, but their asset allocation policies are influenced by stakeholders’ input and limited internal resources, as well as the desire for returns
Helion co-founder launches India VC fund
Sanjeev Aggarwal (pictured), a co-founder of Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners, has joined Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to launch a new VC fund focused on technology start-ups.
Tsing Capital targets $300m for China environment fund
Tsing Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm focused on environmental technologies, has launched its fifth flagship fund with a target of $300 million.
CMC closes China media fund at $600m hard cap
CMC Capital Partners, a PE firm set up by Ruigang Li, formerly president of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at the hard cap of $600 million. The vehicle is already one-third invested.
Japanese LPs: Building consensus
Japanese institutional investors are taking their time with decisions about launching alternative investment programs. Strong support from internal stakeholders is a key consideration
Baird Capital raises $310m for global mid-market fund
Baird Capital, the private investment arm of Robert W. Baird & Co, has closed its latest global mid-market fund at $310 million.
Eastspring invests $500m in IFC infrastructure program
Eastspring Investments, an Asia-focused asset management business of Prudential, will invest $500 million in an emerging markets infrastructure development program managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Beenext VC fund
Gordian Capital, a Singapore-based asset manager, has confirmed Beenext Capital Management as its second venture capital spin-out this week.
LP interview: Verlinvest
Verlinvest has built strong consumer sector presence in Asia through PE fund commitments and direct deals. Nicholas Cator, an executive director at the family office, says the latter are more important than the former
KVIC, US tech player launch Korea VC fund
Government-back fund-of-funds Korea Venture Investment Corporation (KVIC) and Applied Ventures, the VC arm of US-listed technology developer Applied Materials, have jointly launched a fund focused on Korea start-ups.
Japanese LPs' PE programs slowed by internal resistance - AVCJ Forum
Japanese institutional investors are increasingly interested in private equity, but investment programs are often slow to get off the ground due to an innate aversion to risk among internal stakeholders.
CITIC Capital raises $1.57b for US dollar tranche of China fund
CITIC Capital Partners has closed the US dollar-denominated portion of its latest China fund at the hard cap of $1.57 billion after about one year in the market. The renminbi tranche is still being raised, with a target of RMB3 billion ($439 million)....
Fund focus: Thailand gets serious about fintech
Expara Thailand and Premier Advisory Group have been appointed to manage two funds with a combined corpus of $44 million that are intended to push forward the country's financial technology agenda
IFC set to back Morgan Stanley's $300m Thailand fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of up to $25 million in a Thailand-focused fund launched by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
Fund focus: Intudo targets SE Asia's sea turtles
Intudo has raised $10 million for a venture capital fund that will bring fast-growing start-ups from Silicon Valley and China to Southeast Asia
Tata targets $600m for second opportunities fund
Tata Capital is looking to raise $600 million for the second Tata Opportunities Fund, a private equity vehicle that invests in Tata group entities as well as other independent Indian businesses.
Japan private equity: Heating up
Private equity is seeing more succession planning and corporate carve-out opportunities in Japan, but there is a risk that exuberance might turn irrational
Government-backed Cool Japan invests in 500 Startups fund
Cool Japan Fund, a government-backed venture program for promoting cultural exports, has agreed to invest up to $10 million in a recently launched Japan-focused vehicle managed by 500 Startups.
Thailand sets up $44m in VC funds
Thailand’s Government Savings Bank and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) have jointly established two venture capital funds worth a combined THB1.5 billion ($44 million).
Japanese LPs: The end of the beginning
Japan’s GPIF has finally signaled its readiness to invest in alternative assets. Though contributions will likely be slow to come and limited at first, the barest hint of its intentions has wide-ranging ramifications
Intudo closes debut Indonesia-focused VC fund
Intudo Ventures, a newly-formed Indonesia-focused VC firm, has raised $10 million for its debut fund that will co-found and invest in early-stage companies.