GPs
ADB launches venture arm
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a VC arm focused on climate change-related technologies and women’s empowerment in the region.
Blackstone to launch second Asia fund in 2020
The Blackstone Group expects to return to market in 2020 with its second dedicated Asia private equity fund, less than two years after closing the debut vehicle.
MBK wins US pension support for Asia fund
MBK Partners has picked up commitments from New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), and Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) for its fifth North Asia fund.
AVCJ Awards 2019: Firm of the Year - Mid Cap: Centurium Capital
China-focused Centurium Capital has enjoyed a productive 12 months, closing its debut US dollar fund, deploying most of the capital, and securing an early liquidity event
AVCJ Awards 2019: Fundraising of the Year - Venture Capital: A91 Partners
A91 Partners’ spinout from Sequoia Capital showcases the deepening networks of the Indian VC space and hints that more ecosystem growth is yet to come
Profile: Joy Capital's Erhai Liu
First at Legend Capital and now at Joy Capital, Erhai Liu has demonstrated a knack for spotting emerging technology trends in China and helping founders navigate the challenges of entrepreneurialism
Vietnam's Mekong appoints new partner
Vietnam-based Mekong Capital has named Nguyen Thi Minh Giang (pictured, third right) as a partner with responsibility for talent and culture. It brings the number of partners at the firm to four.
Ares takes controlling stake in Asia's SSG
Ares Management has agreed to buy a controlling stake in SSG Capital, an Asia-focused credit and special situations fund manager with approximately $6.2 billion in assets under management, including $3.9 billion in dry powder.
Baring Asia closes Fund VII at $6.5b
Baring Private Equity Asia has closed its seventh fund with commitments of $6.5 billion. It is the fourth-largest pan-Asian private equity vehicle ever raised.
Affinity loses Australia head
Brett Sutton, who leads Affinity Equity Partners’ operations in Australia, has resigned from the firm after more than 15 years of service.
LPs want to see how GPs learn from mistakes in Asia
GPs should be open and transparent with LPs about their previous difficulties in order to demonstrate an ability to learn from past mistakes, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia Forum heard.
Fund focus: Korea's midcap buyout space comes into focus
VIG Partners believes its recent $810 million fundraise validates the firm's middle-market strategy and spur the emergence of new domestic GPs in this area
Hong Kong seeks to address carried interest concerns
The Hong Kong government has pledged to resolve uncertainty within the private equity industry on the taxation of carried interest as part of efforts to make the territory more attractive to fund managers.
India buyout market set to grow in 2020s
Indian investors at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia Forum forecast rising opportunities for control deals in the early 2020s.
AVCJ Awards 2019: Firm of the Year - Large Cap: PAG
China’s private consumption story continues to be a driving force for PAG Asia Capital. The GP also won prizes for Deal of the Year - Large Cap and Fundraising of the Year - Large Cap
Discipline, operations key to PE success in China - DCP's Liu
Private equity investors in China should prioritize discipline on valuations and operational capabilities rather than spend their time worrying about macroeconomic risks, according to David Liu, chairman and founder of DCP Capital.
Q&A: AI Fund's Andrew Ng
After establishing artificial intelligence units for Google and Baidu, Andrew Ng famously declared AI “the new electricity” and launched AI Fund, an incubator with a $175 million war chest
China PE: Tipping point?
Uncertainty continued to weigh on China private equity deal flow last year, leaving plenty of capital sitting on the sidelines waiting to reengage. GPs see diversification as an antidote to competition
China's Qiming names Grace Lee as COO
Grace Lee (pictured), has been appointed COO at Qiming Venture Partners, in addition to her existing roles as a partner and CFO – one of several people moves within the Chinese venture capital firm.
Ascendent surpasses $1b for latest China fund
Ascendent Capital Partners has closed its third China fund with more than $1 billion in commitments, having increased the hard cap.
TA promotes India-based Sharma to principal
Aditya Sharma, who makes investments in India for TA Associates, has been promoted from senior vice president to principal.
VIG reaches $810m final close on fourth Korean fund
VIG Partners has closed its fourth Korea-focused fund at $810 million, with approximately half the commitments coming from international investors. This compares to 30% for Fund III, which closed at $600 million in 2017.
To pastures new: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2019
Talking points: 2019 in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on co-investment, technology opportunities in Vietnam, what LPs want to hear from GPs, Indian buyouts, long-dated funds, and late-stage deals in China deployment during times of uncertainty, responding...