Industry
Vietnam investment: Familiar faces
Regional private equity firms are refocusing on Vietnam, widening the exit options for local GPs that specialize in bringing companies to scale. But sizeable deals are scarce and valuations are rising
Korea's KIC boosts alternatives exposure to $15.1b
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) hiked its alternatives allocation from 12.4% to 13.7% - reaching $15.1 billion - over the course of 2016 as the overall portfolio posted a positive return following an investment loss in 2015.
Highland closes Asia, US healthcare fund at $147m
Highland Capital Management has raised approximately $147 million for an Asia and North America-focused healthcare fund, having received an anchor LP commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS).
SoftBank marks down India's Ola, Snapdeal by $1.4b
SoftBank has marked down the value of part of its investment portfolio, including holdings in India-based online marketplace Snapdeal and ride-hailing app Ola, bringing its total losses in the companies so far to JPY160 billion ($1.4 billion).
IFC set to back Stellaris' debut India VC fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a $10 million commitment to the debut fund of Stellaris Venture Partners, a spin-out from Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners.
VIDEO: Barry Lau, Adamas Asset Management
Barry Lau, managing partner and CIO at Adamas Asset Management, discusses private debt opportunities in China
Q&A: Armstrong Asset Management's Andrew Affleck
Andrew Affleck, managing partner of Singapore’s Armstrong Asset Management, explains the role private equity investors can play in developing renewable energy assets in Southeast Asia
Japan fundraising: Middle market momentum
Japan’s buyout space has been thrust into the spotlight following a flurry of fundraising activity by domestic private equity firms. Can the middle market retain its sweet spot status?
CLSA closes third Japan fund at $400m hard cap
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has become the seventh private equity firm to close a Japanese mid-market fund since the start of the year, hitting the hard cap of $400 million for its third vehicle.
Iron Pillar reaches $20m first close on debut fund
Indian venture capital firm Iron Pillar Capital Management has reached a first close of INR1.3 billion ($20 million) on its debut India fund.
CMIG to create $15b One Belt One Road fund
China Minsheng Investment Group (CMIG), the largest privately-held investment group in China, has initiated a new fund that could raise up to $15 billion for investment in overseas projects under the government-backed "One Belt One Road" initiative.
Morrison & Foerster adds fund formation partner in Hong Kong
Morrison & Foerster has hired Serena Tan, formerly an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton specializing in fund formation and fund management, as a partner in its Hong Kong office.
China's Ping An to launch $1b global fintech, healthcare fund
China’s Ping An Insurance is launching a $1 billion fund that will make financial technology and healthcare investments globally as the company looks to establish a footprint beyond its home market.
Polaris closes fourth Japan fund on $665m
Polaris Capital Group has hit the hard cap of JPY75 billion ($665 million) for its fourth Japan fund, becoming the third Japanese mid-market GP to announce a final close in the space of a week, and the sixth since the start of the year.
Singapore's NRF to invest $107m in AI
Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) has agreed to invest S$150 million ($107 million) over five years in a new multi-agency initiative aimed at fostering an artificial intelligence (AI) development ecosystem.
CVC appoints Sumitomo Mitsui executive as Japan president
CVC Capital partners has named Nobuaki Kurumatani, a former executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, as the president of its Japan operations.
Fund focus: Makara goes global in IP search
Makara Capital has a $716 million fund and a remit to invest in intellectual property-rich assets globally in order to bring greater industrial and technological value to Singapore
LP interview: New Zealand Superannuation Fund
New Zealand Superannuation Fund believes it has turned its far flung location into an advantage, making decisions away from the mainstream investor community and plotting a differentiated course in alternatives
Advantage closes fifth Japan fund at $535m
Advantage Partners has reached a final close on its fifth Japan-focused mid-market buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY60 billion ($535 million).
AVCJ daily bulletin returns May 4
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on May 3 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong.
J-Star raises $291m for third Japan fund
J-Star has closed its third Japan-focused buyout fund at the hard cap of JPY32.5 billion ($291 million), having launched the vehicle last summer with a target of JPY30 billion.
New York State Common backs KKR's third Asian fund
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), the third-largest pension fund in the US, has committed $275 million to KKR’s third Asian fund, which has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion.
LPs play the long game on Indonesia - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors are keen to increase their exposure to Indonesia but the relative immaturity of the local market continues to be a deterrent, LPs told the AVCJ Indonesia Forum.
Private to public: Indonesia taps PE talent for government
Saratoga Capital's Sandiaga Uno is the latest Indonesian PE professional to enter public service following his election as deputy governor of Jakarta. This trend is a function of a relatively shallow talent pool

