Industry
IFC set to re-up as LeapFrog seeks $800m for Fund III
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed an investment of up to $25 million in LeapFrog Investments’ emerging markets-focused third fund, which is targeting as much as $800 million.
Dragon Capital sets up microfinance business in Myanmar
Vietnam-based private equity firm Dragon Capital has made its first investment in Myanmar, teaming up with a local strategic partner to seed a Yangon-based microfinance services business.
Banyan raises $725m across US dollar, renminbi funds
Banyan Capital has raised more than RMB5 billion ($725) million across two China-focused venture capital funds – one US dollar-denominated and the other in renminbi.
The devil you know: PE and Southeast Asian entrepreneurs
Due to a shortage of companies in Southeast Asia that have proved themselves capable of working private equity, when GPs identify a group they like it is not uncommon for them to work together more than once
Pay rises level off in Asian private equity - survey
The increases in private equity compensation seen at all levels in recent years appear to be abating, with only about one third of industry professionals reporting a jump in base salary in 2016 over the previous year.
Japan's Tokio Marine closes Fund V at $466m
Tokio Marine Capital has reached a final close of JPY51.7 billion ($466 million) on its fifth Japan mid-market fund on the back of strong support from domestic LPs, notably regional banks.
China outbound M&A: The smarter money
Despite regulatory curbs on Chinese outbound investment, companies are still interested in M&A opportunities – and they are pursuing less high-profile assets with greater sophistication
Asia fundraising: Retail channels
Private equity firms keen to diversify their LP bases are looking to establish relations with Asia’s high net worth segment, and the private banks and wealth managers who facilitate access to this community
KKR secures $5.8b first close on third Asian fund
KKR has reached a first close of just under $5.8 billion on its third pan-Asian fund. The vehicle has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion, with a further $700 million in commitments from the firm’s balance sheet and management team.
China distress investor DCL launches debut US dollar fund
DCL Investments, a China-focused distressed debt and special situations manager set up by former executives at CDH Investments and Shoreline Capital, is targeting around $300 million for its first US dollar-denominated fund.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns April 5
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on April 4 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Ching Ming Festival.
Park life: Chinese investors target theme parks
From Wanda Group to Walt Disney, China is filling up with theme parks. Investors see it as an opportunity to marry real estate development with the evolving consumption patterns
Japan's IMJ Investment rebrands as Spiral
Japanese GP IMJ Investment Partners has spun out from its corporate parent and changed its name to Spiral Ventures.
Morningside closes debut renminbi VC fund at $143m
Morningside Venture Capital, a China-focused early-stage VC firm that used to manage only US dollar-denominated funds, has closed its first renminbi vehicle at RMB1 billion ($143 million).
LP interview: Adveq
Active in Asia for about two decades, fund-of-funds Adveq has a preference for China and India, and a relatively strong bias towards VC. Jun Qian, head of China investment, explains what he wants in a GP
HighLight seeks $250m for second China healthcare fund
Chinese healthcare-focused GP HighLight Capital, which was set up by Steven Wang, formerly of CDH Investments, is targeting $250 million for its second US dollar-denominated fund.
India's Intex launches VC fund, backs local mobile player
Indian electronics manufacturer Intex Technologies has launched a technology-focused venture capital fund and made its first investment in online media platform Rooter.
Fund focus: Square Peg goes formal with $180 fund
In response to rising LP demand, Square Peg Capital left its deal-by-deal days behind and raised a formal VC fund. The firm is targeting start-ups in Australia, Southeast Asia and Israel
Secondaries: A cautionary tale
Cracks have appeared in the secondary transactions through which Standard Chartered Private Equity had sought to secure its future, underlining the challenges for investors of bank-led deals
Australia's Vantage achieves first close on fund-of-funds
Vantage Asset Management has reached a first close of A$20 million ($15.2 million) on its third Australia-focused fund-of-funds. The vehicle, which launched in February 2016, has an overall target of A$100 million.
India's Kaizen reaches $44m first close on second fund
Indian education-focused GP Kaizen Private Equity has reached a first close of $44 million on its second fund.
LPs going direct: In the shadows
While appetite for co-investment among LPs continues unabated, the notion of going solo on deals is more talked about than acted on in Asia. But shadow capital still poses a threat to managers
FTV Capital leads $56m round for Indian researcher
US venture investor FTV Capital has taken a minority stake in India-based industry research and consulting company MarketsandMarkets after leading a $56 million funding round.
Fund focus: Pioneer sees PE come of age in New Zealand
Pioneer Capital sees the closing of its third fund at the hard cap of $180 million as confirmation that private equity in New Zealand has become more mainstream