GPs
Quona closes third financial inclusion fund on $332m
Quona Capital, which invests under a financial inclusion strategy across emerging markets, has closed its third fund on USD 332m, beating a target of USD 250m.
Hong Kong vs Singapore: No zero-sum game
Pandemic-related restrictions have dented confidence in Hong Kong as a private equity hub, while Singapore is on a roll. But gains for one don’t necessarily translate into losses for the other
Q&A: BlackRock’s Michael Dennis
Michael Dennis, managing director and head of alternatives strategy and capital markets for Asia Pacific at BlackRock, on co-investment, customisation, and what Asian investors want from alternatives
India's 8i Ventures hits first close on Fund II
8i Ventures, an India-based early-stage venture capital firm, has achieved a first close of approximately USD 25m on its second fund. The overall target is USD 50m.
L Catterton hits first close on debut renminbi fund
L Catterton, a global private equity firm dedicated to consumer-focused investments, has reached a first close on its debut renminbi-denominated fund. The overall target is CNY 2bn (USD 275m).
China's Inspiration Capital closes Fund II on $82m
Inspiration Capital, a spinout from Qiming Venture Partners, has raised CNY 600m (USD 82m) for its second renminbi-denominated fund focused on cleantech and advanced manufacturing investments in China.
Australia VC player Blackbird closes $647m fund
Blackbird Ventures has raised AUD 1bn (USD 647m) for its latest fund, which will invest in “generational” technology companies in Australia and New Zealand. It is the largest ever VC fund raised by an Australia-based manager.
Quadrant spins Australia car services business into continuation fund
Quadrant Private Equity has closed a AUD 255m (USD 165m) single asset continuation fund for MotorOne, an Australia-based automotive after-market services provider it has owned since 2016.
Q&A: China Creation Ventures’ Wei Zhou
Wei Zhou, founder of China Creation Ventures (CCV), on why local GPs are targeting Southeast Asia, working with Chinese entrepreneurs overseas, and the prospects for renminbi and US dollar funds
Fund focus: BPEA Credit spins out, closes Fund III on $475m
Baring Private Equity Asia's credit unit has entered a new phase as an independent manager with a fund more than three times larger than the previous vintage
India's Jashvik Capital reaches first close on debut PE fund
India’s Jashvik Capital, a private equity firm set up by Naresh Patawari, formerly a partner at TA Associates, has achieved a first close of undisclosed size on its debut fund. The target is USD 350m.
Australia’s Square Peg raises $550m across two VC funds
Australian venture capital firm Square Peg Capital has raised USD 550m across two vehicles, including its fourth flagship early-stage fund and a follow-on fund.
China’s Welkin Capital puts IPO on hold
China’s Welkin Capital has paused a planned USD 300m London IPO for an entity seeded with assets from its debut private equity fund, citing macro uncertainty and market volatility.
Taking PE in-house: Less limited partners
Institutional investors continue to pursue more active roles in private equity, even as a souring macro backdrop makes the game harder to play. Talent is always the key variable
Carlyle poaches Morrison's Australia, New Zealand co-head
The Carlyle Group has appointed Geoff Hutchinson, formerly of Morrison & Co. and Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) as a managing director and head of private equity for Australia and New Zealand.
Permira shuts down Japan office
Permira is closing its Japan office, 17 years after establishing its first Asian foothold in Tokyo.
Permira recruits India head from Warburg Pincus
Permira has established a presence in India and recruited Siddharth Narayan, who previously spent a decade at Warburg Pincus, as country head.
Baring Asia, EQT plan rollout of additional Asia strategies
Mid-cap buyout has been primed as the first of multiple strategies EQT pursues in Europe and North America that will be rolled out in Asia following the completion of the firm’s merger with Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA).
Fund focus: Local LPs lift Fireside to new heights
India’s Fireside Ventures has soaked up rising domestic investor appetite for start-ups with an outsized third vintage, claiming that its consumer brands thesis is beginning to bear fruit
China fundraising: Onshore vs offshore
Raising capital for China strategies is difficult right now, regardless of currency, but are geopolitical forces enabling the rise of renminbi-denominated funds at the expense of the US dollar?
Partners Group looks to grow Australia investment team
Martin Scott, head of Australia at Partners Group, is taking on an expanded, investment-focused role as the firm looks to put more capital to work in Australia and New Zealand.
Avataar hits first close on second India growth-stage tech fund
Avataar Venture Partners, an India-based investor in growth-stage B2B technology and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, has reached a first close of USD 130m on its second fund. The overall target is USD 350m.
Goldman hires ex-PEP dealmaker for Australia, New Zealand
Goldman Sachs has recruited David Grayce, formerly of Pacific Equity Partners, as part of efforts to expand its private investing business in Australia and New Zealand.
India's Fireside Ventures closes Fund III on $225m
Fireside Ventures, a consumer brands-focused Indian VC firm established by Kanwaljit Singh, co-founder of Helion Venture Partners, has closed its third fund on INR 18.3bn (USD 225m).