Industry
LP interview: Sweden's AP2
Swedish pension fund AP2 could be about to see a significant jump in its private equity allocation. Head of alternatives Anders Strömblad outlines what the organization looks for in prospective portfolio GPs
500 Startups closes Vietnam fund at $14m
500 Startups has closed its Vietnam-focused early-stage VC fund at $14 million, beating a target of $10 million.
PAG confirms $6b close on third Asia buyout fund
PAG Asia Capital has announced that its third pan-regional fund has closed at the hard cap of $6 billion – confirming an AVCJ report from last week.
China's ICBC sets up $200m India venture fund
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has launched a $200 million fund to invest in Indian start-ups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
SparkLabs launches $10m Taiwan fund, recruits NBA star
SparkLabs Group, a pan-Asian network of accelerators and global venture funds, has launched a $10 million fund in Taiwan and appointed NBA star Jeremy Lin (pictured) as an advisor.
LPs still keen on Asia despite slow distributions - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors remain committed to Asia even though distributions from funds targeting the region can be slower to come than those in the US and Western Europe, the AVCJ Forum heard.
India GPs focus on investee alignment – AVCJ Forum
Investment and exit opportunities in India’s private equity market continue to improve, thanks in part to growing confidence among GPs in their ability to partner with portfolio companies through crucial stages of development.
Investors seek new openings as China tech matures – AVCJ Forum
Investors in China’s technology space must learn to play contrarian angles as consumer-facing segments become increasingly difficult to penetrate.
Talent acquisition the biggest challenge for Asia PE – AVCJ Forum
Finding talented personnel to source and execute investments remains the biggest challenge facing Asia’s private equity industry, GPs told the AVCJ Forum.
GP stakes: Succession scenarios
Funds dedicated to acquiring stakes in alternatives managers represent a small but growing industry niche. They target GPs with strong records, stable fee streams and a need to address inter-generational change
Weathering cycles requires focus on fundamentals – AVCJ Forum
Private equity firms looking to maintain momentum across macro cycles must focus more on asset selection and value creation, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
LPs drive evolution in Asia back office practices – AVCJ Forum
Growing demand for information and reporting among a shifting LP base is leading Asian GPs to improve their back office structuring, investors told the AVCJ Forum.
GP stakes: A matter of ownership
Many private equity firms in Asia have been approached about selling a GP stake, whether it is to facilitate succession or in return for supporting a fundraise. Responses to such propositions are mixed
Digital tools essential for modern day due diligence - AVCJ Forum
PE and VC investors in Asia are becoming more sophisticated in their approach to due diligence, with digital tools an increasingly important part of the skill set, the AVCJ Forum heard.
Q&A: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation's Yup S. Kim
Yup S. Kim, a senior portfolio manager for private equity and special opportunities, at Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC) discusses co-investment, accessing Asia, and allocating to permanent capital structures
Mixed impact on exits as early-stage VC heats up – AVCJ Forum
VCs face new challenges and opportunities in exit markets across Asia as later-stage investors and strategic players participate more deeply in early-stage ecosystems.
Japan PE outlook: Slow and steady
GPs have built strong ties with corporate Japan by demonstrating value-add capabilities. These networks should serve them well as the market becomes more active
GP-LP communication key to effective ESG policy – AVCJ Forum
Continued uptake of meaningful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies in private equity will depend on fostering deeper dialogue on the subject between GPs and LPs, according to industry participants at the AVCJ ESG Forum.
PAG to make first and final close of $6b on third Asia fund
PAG Asia Capital is set to make a first and final close on its third pan-regional fund on November 15 at the hard cap of $6 billion. The vehicle has been in the market for approximately six months, having set an initial target of $4.5 billion.
Bain scores three wins at AVCJ Awards
Bain Capital completed a hattrick of wins at the 2018 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, securing the prizes for firm of the year, deal of the year, and exit of the year – each one in the large-cap category. Quadrant Private Equity was named...
Southeast Asia PE outlook: Debatable boom
PE and VC players remain focused on Southeast Asia’s long-term growth trajectory despite gathering macro storm clouds. Valuations remain a bone of contention
Malaysia to invest $478m in PE, VC matching scheme
The Malaysian government will allocate MYR2 billion ($478 million) to a co-investment scheme that will match investments made in the country by private equity and venture capital funds.
Q&A: Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Clara Chan
Clara Chan, CIO for private markets at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, discusses ever-larger pan-Asian funds, approaches to co-investment, addressing economic volatility, and the evolving GP-LP relationship
Operational value-add: Active duty
VCs are under pressure to improve operational capacity as competition heats up in Asia’s start-up ecosystems. Methodologies filtering over from the US are finding both disciples and skeptics