Industry
Japan's Gumi raises $30m for blockchain VC fund
Gumi, a Japanese mobile game publisher backed by a number of VCs, has secured $30 million for a venture capital fund that will invest in blockchain and cryptocurrency start-ups.
Korea Post Insurance to allocate $200m to global buyout funds
Korea Post Insurance plans to allocate $200 million to as many as three managers focusing on global buyouts, predominantly in North America and Europe.
Fund focus: AlphaX tracks evolving China VC story
Having raised $270 million for his debut fund at AlphaX Partners, former Highland Capital Partners executive Chuan Thor is keen to tap emerging trends in consumer internet and enterprise services
SoftBank's Japanese AI incubator targets $55m fund
Deepcore, a Japanese incubator focused on artificial intelligence (AI) that was set up last year by Softbank Corp, has launched a fund targeting JPY6 billion ($55 million) for seed to early-stage companies.
China's Genesis targets $600m for second fund
Genesis Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm established by Richard Peng, formerly head of M&A at Tencent Holdings, is targeting $600 million for its second fund.
Australia's Anacacia closes third fund at $225m
Australian private equity firm Anacacia Capital has closed its third middle-market fund at the hard cap of A$300 million ($225 million), following an oversubscribed fundraising process.
VIDEO: Shoreline Capital's Tony Liu
Tony Liu, COO of Shoreline Capital, discusses investment opportunities in China's non-performing loan (NPL) space.
China's Sinovation launches AI-focused fund
Sinovation Ventures has formed a RMB2.5 billion ($395 million) venture capital fund that will focus on artificial intelligence (AI). It is a cooperative effort with the Guangzhou government to drive technology development.
Pivotal raises $150m for China life sciences fund
Pivotal Bioventure Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has raised $150 million for a fund that will incubate Chinese life science start-ups.
China VC player Banyan changes name to Gaorong
Chinese venture capital firm Banyan Capital has changed its English name to Gaorong Capital. The aim is to achieve more consistent brand recognition because Gaorong is how the group’s Chinese name is pronounced.
Primavera reaches $1.5b first close on China fund
Primavera Capital Group has completed a first close of approximately $1.5 billion on its third China fund. The overall target is $2.8 billion.
Temasek unit targets $500m PE fund-backed bond issue
Retail investors in Singapore will be able to get exposure to the Temasek Holdings private equity portfolio through a $500 million bond issuance backed by 36 funds, including vehicles managed by The Blackstone Group, KKR, Silver Lake Partners, and TPG...
Fund focus: Tapping the Alibaba talent seam
Vision Plus Capital looks to tap the entrepreneurial talent developing in Alibaba Group's ecosystem for its second US dollar and renminbi-denominated funds
US pension funds: Going direct
California Public Employees’ Retirement System's (CalPERS) decision to launch a private equity direct investment strategy sets it apart from its counterparts, but the plan will need conviction and focus to succeed
Fund focus: Advantage set for Asia ex-Japan push
Advantage Partners aims to build on the firm's experience connecting Asian entrepreneurs with opportunities in Japan in its first Asia-focused fund
Hong Kong technology IPOs: Size matters
Hong Kong has altered its IPO regime to attract tech companies with unorthodox shareholding structures and biotech start-ups with no revenue. But only certain businesses are welcome to apply
Carlyle hires two Southeast Asia dealmakers
The Carlyle Group has hired Robby Winarta as a managing director for Indonesia and Long Hoang as a director for Vietnam.
China's AlphaX raises $270m venture capital fund
AlphaX Partners, a Chinese venture capital firm established by Chuan Thor (pictured), formerly of Highland Capital China, has closed its first US dollar and renminbi-denominated fund with around $270m in commitments.
Legend hits $156m first close on renminbi healthcare fund
Legend Capital has reached a first close of RMB1 billion ($156 million) on its second dedicated healthcare fund. A US dollar-denominated vehicle – also the VC firm’s second for the sector – is scheduled for launch in the third quarter.
San Francisco pension fund backs China's SBCVC - update
San Francisco City & County Employees’ Retirement System has committed $25 million to SBCVC’s sixth China fund, which has a target of $500 million. The GP closed its previous VC vehicle at $459 million in 2016.
CalPERS to launch direct private equity investment unit
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the US, plans to deploy up to $13 billion a year in direct private equity deals through two newly formed funds.
Japan Post Bank targets $76.5b alternatives portfolio
Japan Post Bank plans to increase the size of its alternatives portfolio more than fivefold in the next three years to JPY8.5 trillion ($76.5 billion). More than JPY2 trillion of this will be allocated to private equity.
CPPIB's Asia private equity exposure tops $13b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) continues to ramp up its exposure to Asian private equity, with called and uncalled commitments rising 27% to C$17.1 billion ($13.3 billion) for the 12 months ended March 2018.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns May 23
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on May 22 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong.

