Fundraising
Apis closes South Asia, Africa fintech fund at $287m
Emerging market financial technology investor Apis Partners has closed its debut fund at $287 million. It has already deployed about $130 million across five deals in South Asia and Africa.
Dual currency fundraising: Servant of two masters
A resurgence in renminbi fundraising has prompted GPs best known for US dollar funds to enter the local currency market. Addressing conflicts of interest in an increasingly complex industry will prove difficult
Japanese accelerator launches $17.5m hardware fund
Darma Tech Labs, operator of Japanese hardware-focused accelerator Makers Boot Camp, plans to launch a JPY2 billion ($17.5 million) venture capital fund, with Kyoto Bank serving as the anchor LP.
Australia's Uniseed secures $15m for VC fund
Uniseed, a venture fund manager associated with the Australian government’s CSIRO research unit and a number of domestic universities, has secured A$20 million ($15.2 million) in fresh commitments for a new follow-on fund.
KKR sets $8.5b hard cap for Asia fund, schedules first close
KKR has set an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion for its third pan-Asian fund, with the total expected to reach $9.2 billion including commitments from the firm’s balance sheet and management team. A substantial first close – of around half the hard...
China VC spin-outs: Daddy issues
Several managers in the latest generation of China VC spin-outs retain close ties to their former corporate parents. These relationships can deliver great deal flow, but also governance headaches
Australia's QIC closes global infrastructure fund at $1.8b
QIC, an investment manager controlled by the Queensland state government, has closed its global infrastructure fund at the hard cap of A$2.3 billion ($1.8 billion), beating the A$1.7 billion target.
India's Pi Ventures reaches $13m first close on AI fund
Indian early-stage VC investor Pi Ventures has reached a first close of $13 million on its debut artificial intelligence (AI)-focused fund.
Actis raises $2.75b for emerging markets energy fund
Actis Capital has closed its fourth emerging markets energy fund at the hard cap of $2.75 billion, after just seven months in the market. It will invest in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
IDG, Axilor launch India early-stage fund
IDG Ventures India has partnered with Axilor Ventures for a program that will discover and fund disruptive technology start-ups in the country.
Quona, Accion close $141m global fintech fund
Quona Capital and emerging markets microfinance group Accion International have closed a $141 million global venture fund dedicated to financial technology. It will focus in part on India and Southeast Asia.
Hosen closes $440m China food and agri fund
China-focused food and agriculture specialist Hosen Capital has closed its third private equity fund at $440 million after eight months in the market. The target was $400 million.
LP interview: Tsinghua University Education Foundation
Tsinghua University Education Foundation is the first Chinese endowment fund to invest in private equity. It has developed a preference for managers with niche strategies
Family offices want flexible solutions from PE - AVCJ Forum
Australian family offices and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) represent a huge potential source of capital for private equity, but GPs must be flexible in terms of the products they offer.
Fund focus: ChrysCapital banks on reputation with Fund VII
Having fully realized its first four funds and returned more than 100% of the fifth, ChrysCapital had a strong exits story to tell in raising $600 million for Fund VII
New GPs will not shake Australia PE market dynamic - AVCJ Forum
The Australian private equity market has seen the emergence of a number of new GPs – including several spin-outs – but incumbent managers told the AVCJ Australia & New Zealand Forum that they do not expect much change in the competitive landscape.
Fund focus: Into the white space
The arrival of Odyssey Private Equity – a collaborative effort by former executives from two of Australia’s best known GPs – once again draws attention to the hole in Australia’s lower middle market
Formation Group closes debut US-Asia fund at $357m
Formation Group, a Silicon Valley and Asia-focused venture capital firm established by Brian Koo (pictured), co-founder of Formation 8, has closed its debut fund at $357 million.
IL&FS, Lone Star form $550m India distress partnership
India’s Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) has launched a $550 million fund to invest in domestic distressed infrastructure assets with US-based GP Lone Star Funds.
Australia's Hostplus commits $65m to seed investor Artesian
Australian superannuation fund Hostplus has committed A$85 million ($65 million) to local seed investor Artesian, taking the venture capital firm’s funds under management to more than A$150 million.
IDG, Sequoia form tourism fund with China CYTS Tours
IDG Capital and Sequoia Capital have formed an investment fund with China CYTS Tours Holdings, a Shanghai-listed travel agency, to invest in consumer-related companies that help improve the traditional tourism industry.
Indonesia's Kejora reaches first close on second VC fund
Indonesian VC firm Kejora Ventures has reached a first close of nearly $25 million on its second fund and plans to expand into Thailand with the support of one of its LPs, the Chareon Pokphand family, which controls local conglomerate CP Group.
K2 Global raises $183m for US-Asia VC fund
K2 Global has raised $183 million for its debut venture fund, which aims to promote cross-border development in Asian and US technology start-ups.
Cost conundrum: Super funds, fees and private equity
Australian regulators want greater consistency in how superannuation funds report costs and fees to members. While sound in principle, the draft measure is problematic in practice, especially for private equity