Fundraising
IFC proposes $40m commitment to Kedaara's second India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $40 million to the second India-focused fund of Kedaara Capital.
Frontline BioVentures merges with WuXi Ventures
Chinese healthcare specialists Frontline BioVentures and WuXi Healthcare Ventures have merged, forming a new investment firm called 6 Dimensions Capital.
SoftBank achieves $93b first close on global tech fund
SoftBank Group Corp. has reached a first close of more than $93 billion on its global technology investment fund. A final close of $100 billion is expected within six months.
CPPIB's Asia PE portfolio grows 24% to reach $9.9b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) increased its exposure to Asian private equity by almost one quarter over the 12 months ended March 2017. The portfolio reached C$13.4 billion ($9.9 billion) as the pension plan made five direct investments...
Lightspeed China closes debut renminbi fund at $87m
Lightspeed China Partners has closed its first renminbi-denominated venture fund at RMB600 million ($87 million).
Arbor targets $220m for second VC fund, IFC set to invest
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of $15 million in Hong Kong-based Arbor Ventures’ second VC fund, which has an initial target of $220 million.
China aerospace player launches $22b tech fund
China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) has launched a RMB150 billion ($22 billion) fund with a group of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to invest in new technologies.
Shaw Kwei seeks $800m for Asia fund
Shaw Kwei & Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that primarily focuses on the industrial, manufacturing and services sectors in Asia, is targeting $800 million for its fourth fund.
CDIB hires senior team from SMC Capital
Three of the senior management team at SMC Capital China - a GP launched by Hong Kong-based Simon Murray & Company (SMC) - have left to join CDIB Capital, the PE arm of Taiwan’s China Development Financial.
Highland closes Asia, US healthcare fund at $147m
Highland Capital Management has raised approximately $147 million for an Asia and North America-focused healthcare fund, having received an anchor LP commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS).
IFC set to back Stellaris' debut India VC fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a $10 million commitment to the debut fund of Stellaris Venture Partners, a spin-out from Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners.
Japan fundraising: Middle market momentum
Japan’s buyout space has been thrust into the spotlight following a flurry of fundraising activity by domestic private equity firms. Can the middle market retain its sweet spot status?
CLSA closes third Japan fund at $400m hard cap
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has become the seventh private equity firm to close a Japanese mid-market fund since the start of the year, hitting the hard cap of $400 million for its third vehicle.
Iron Pillar reaches $20m first close on debut fund
Indian venture capital firm Iron Pillar Capital Management has reached a first close of INR1.3 billion ($20 million) on its debut India fund.
CMIG to create $15b One Belt One Road fund
China Minsheng Investment Group (CMIG), the largest privately-held investment group in China, has initiated a new fund that could raise up to $15 billion for investment in overseas projects under the government-backed "One Belt One Road" initiative.
Morrison & Foerster adds fund formation partner in Hong Kong
Morrison & Foerster has hired Serena Tan, formerly an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton specializing in fund formation and fund management, as a partner in its Hong Kong office.
China's Ping An to launch $1b global fintech, healthcare fund
China’s Ping An Insurance is launching a $1 billion fund that will make financial technology and healthcare investments globally as the company looks to establish a footprint beyond its home market.
Polaris closes fourth Japan fund on $665m
Polaris Capital Group has hit the hard cap of JPY75 billion ($665 million) for its fourth Japan fund, becoming the third Japanese mid-market GP to announce a final close in the space of a week, and the sixth since the start of the year.
Singapore's NRF to invest $107m in AI
Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) has agreed to invest S$150 million ($107 million) over five years in a new multi-agency initiative aimed at fostering an artificial intelligence (AI) development ecosystem.
Fund focus: Makara goes global in IP search
Makara Capital has a $716 million fund and a remit to invest in intellectual property-rich assets globally in order to bring greater industrial and technological value to Singapore
LP interview: New Zealand Superannuation Fund
New Zealand Superannuation Fund believes it has turned its far flung location into an advantage, making decisions away from the mainstream investor community and plotting a differentiated course in alternatives
Advantage closes fifth Japan fund at $535m
Advantage Partners has reached a final close on its fifth Japan-focused mid-market buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY60 billion ($535 million).
J-Star raises $291m for third Japan fund
J-Star has closed its third Japan-focused buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY32.5 billion ($291 million), having launched the vehicle last summer with a target of JPY30 billion.
New York State Common backs KKR's third Asian fund
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), the third-largest pension fund in the US, has committed $275 million to KKR’s third Asian fund, which has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion.