Industry
Korean political crises present PE opportunities
A turbulent 2017 for South Korea in both domestic and international politics has complicated private equity agendas across a number of sectors, but GPs are tracking some positive aftereffects.
Asian credit remains attractive for investors
While global investors often express wariness about investments in Asian credit and special situations, industry veterans remain optimistic about the future of the strategy.
Overseas LPs find entering Asia challenging
Overseas institutional LPs – in particular those willing to write larger checks – have found it difficult to access Asia's private equity market, industry participants told the HKVCA Asia Private Equity Forum.
Australia agriculture: Fruitful endeavors
Despite their strong growth potential, Australian food crops have attracted little activity from the private equity community. Investors’ interest is restrained by the high hurdles to managing these assets
ADB commits $50m to True North's India fund
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest up to $50 million in the sixth fund of Indian private equity firm True North, formerly known as India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA).
Lazard appoints head of Asia secondaries practice
Dominik Woessner, formerly head of Greenhill Cogent’s secondary advisory business in Asia, has joined Lazard to lead the origination and execution of secondaries transactions in the region.
India's Pi Ventures reaches $25m second close on AI fund
Indian early-stage investor Pi Ventures has announced a second close of $25 million on its debut artificial intelligence (AI)-focused fund.
StepStone wins GPIF infrastructure mandate
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) – the world’s largest pool of retirement savings – has awarded a global infrastructure fund-of-funds mandate to StepStone Group.
Buyouts: Courage of conviction
Buyout firms are responding to higher valuations by doing more to ensure they can bring about transformation in portfolio companies. They are also being more careful in terms of sector selection and leverage
India removes limits on foreign investment in retail
India has broadened its regulations on foreign direct investment (FDI), permitting unconditional 100% FDI in sectors including single-brand retail trading (SBRT).
Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault set up $1b auto VC fund
Automotive giants Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors have launched a venture capital fund that will invest $1 billion in advanced car technologies with a strong presence in Asia.
Pantheon promotes Alex Wilmerding to partner
Pantheon has promoted Alex Wilmerding, who is responsible for client relationships across Asia Pacific and also sits on the regional investment team, to partner.
4Q analysis: Riding the wave
Chinese companies return in strength to US bourses as investors leverage public market highs; Australia a bright spot as Asia fundraising slows; 2017 sets new record for PE investment on back of big buyouts, tech deals
Hony launches $300m Belt and Road fund, invests in Kazakhstan
Hony Capital has partnered with its portfolio company China Glass Holdings (CGH) to launch a $300 million fund that will invest in glass production projects in countries covered by the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
Baidu, Singapore's AMI launch $200m auto tech fund
Chinese internet giant Baidu has launched a $200 million fund with Singapore technology conglomerate Asia Mobility Industries (AMI) that will focus on autonomous driving and intelligent transportation.
China's Hony Capital to set up mutual fund unit
Hony Capital is poised to become the latest Chinese private equity firm to enter the mutual fund business.
Chinese insurers barred from using PE to spur government borrowing
Chinese insurers have been banned from using their private equity units to lend capital to projects backed by local governments for fear that this will inflate already sizeable debt burdens and raise financing costs in the real economy.
China's Ant Financial abandons MoneyGram acquisition
Alibaba Group’s Ant Financial has abandoned its $1.2 billion acquisition of private equity-backed MoneyGram after failing to receive clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).
AVCJ Awards 2017: AVCJ Special Achievement: Victor Fung
Victor Fung played a key role in the development of venture capital and private equity in Asia, and of AVCJ itself. He looks back at how the various pieces fell into place
Affinity closes fifth Asia fund at $6b
Affinity Equity Partners has completed a first and final close on its fifth pan-Asian fund at the hard cap of $6 billion after approximately five months in the market.
Orchid raises $1.3b for Fund VII – update
Orchid Asia has closed its seventh fund at $1.3 billion. The vehicle had initially targeted a final close of $900 million by November 2017.
AVCJ Awards 2017: PE Professional of the Year: Yichen Zhang
Yichen Zhang, CEO of CITIC Capital, discusses fundraising, working on outbound deals, the appeal of China divestments by foreign companies, and leading a multi-strategy firm
MBK promotes COO to partner
MBK Partners has promoted Bryan Byungsuk Min, currently the firm’s COO, to partner.
Co-founder steps back from Australia's Pacific Equity Partners
Paul McCullagh has become the first of the four founders of Australia-based buyout firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) to step back, swapping his managing director position for a senior advisor role.