Industry
AirTree leads Series B for Australia consulting marketplace
AirTree Ventures has led a A$13 million ($10.1 million) Series B round of funding for Expert360, an Australia-based online marketplace that connects small companies with independent consultants.
Texas County & District backs IDG's latest China VC fund
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) has committed $30 million to IDG Capital’s latest China venture capital fund – the first to be raised since the GP acquired the global investment business of International Data Group (IDG).
Financial institutions and fintech: Bouncing checks
Southeast Asia’s traditional banks have begun to take a strong interest in the financial technology environment, but their early-stage involvement in the ecosystem is still tentative
HarbourVest raises $1.75b for co-investment fund
HarbourVest Partners has closed its fourth global co-investment fund at $1.75 billion, having raised the hard cap from $1.5 billion.
US investors wary of Asia spin-outs - AVCJ Forum
Keeping up with the pace of change in Asian private equity – particularly in terms of people moves – is one of the biggest challenges for institutional investors based outside of the region.
2Q analysis: All about Japan
Japan’s middle-market in fundraising flurry; Toshiba fails to make the second-quarter cut, but Asia buyouts still boom; public markets, particularly in Japan, deliver strong exits as trade sales stutter
PE in Southeast Asia: Buyout blues
Private equity interest in Southeast Asia has yet to translate into a significant number of buyout deals. The region's sturdy economic fundamentals may prolong the stagnation
IFC proposes $20m investment in Abraaj credit fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $20 million in the Abraaj Group’s global credit fund.
Singapore university launches student venture fund
Singapore Management University (SMU) has partnered with Kairos ASEAN to launch a venture capital fund run by and for university students.
Temasek sees portfolio hit record high of $199b
Temasek Holdings saw its portfolio hit a record high of S$275 billion ($199 billion) for the 12 months ended March, but the Singapore government-controlled investment fund warned that the global economy is still plagued by uncertainties.
Frontier markets: Late to the boom
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are among the last frontier markets in Asia but well positioned to benefit from accelerating interest in the ASEAN region. Private equity success will require a nimble approach
Singapore accelerators: Searching for sustainability
The flood of new arrivals in Singapore’s accelerator space means there are often too many groups chasing relatively few high-quality start-ups. Diversification and specialization is the key to survival
Q&A: Singapore Exchange's Mohamed Nasser Ismail
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced several initiatives aimed at supporting technology start-ups. Mohamed Nasser Ismail, head of equity capital markets (SME), explains why a more active role is necessary
China's CIC ups alternatives exposure, posts positive return
China Investment Corporation (CIC) increased its alternatives exposure by a few percentage points to 37.24% for the year ended December 2016 as its international portfolio rebounded from a loss in 2015 to post an investment return of 6.22%.
GIC posts weakest return in eight years, warns of uncertainty ahead
GIC Private warned of years of uncertainty ahead as the Singapore sovereign wealth fund announced its weakest investment performance since the global financial crisis.
Unigestion raises $291m for direct opportunities fund
Wealth management firm and PE fund-of-funds Unigestion has closed a direct opportunities fund at EUR255 million ($291 million).
Cathay raises $320m for China-US-Europe VC fund
Middle-market private equity firm Cathay Capital Private Equity has closed its first venture capital fund at $320 million with a mandate spanning China, Europe, and North America.
US LPs & co-investment: Risk appetite
There are various practical reasons - concerning legal, oversight and human reasons - why US pension funds are not as aggressive as their Canadian peers in private equity. A change in mindset would also be helpful
China, Russia plan $10.5b in OBOR investments
China and Russia have agreed to invest about $10.5 billion in two cross-border development funds as part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
US pension funds & PE: Public service remit
US public pension funds are active investors in private equity, but their asset allocation policies are influenced by stakeholders’ input and limited internal resources, as well as the desire for returns
PE executives in government: Late to the party
With private equity executives playing an unprecedented role in the Trump administration, the advantages that PE can bring to government – and vice versa – has come into the spotlight
General Atlantic names ex-HKMA executive as special advisor
General Atlantic has appointed Yong Hak Huh, founder and CEO of First Bridge Strategies and formerly CIO of private markets and direct investment at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as a special advisor.
Q&A: BDA's Paul DiGiacomo
Paul DiGiacomo, a managing director with Asia-focused advisory firm BDA Partners, discusses the latest trends in M&A, from increasingly sophisticated Chinese buyers to more willing multinational sellers
Helion co-founder launches India VC fund
Sanjeev Aggarwal (pictured), a co-founder of Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners, has joined Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to launch a new VC fund focused on technology start-ups.