Industry
Australian government launches $191m biomedical VC fund
The Australian government has seeded $250 million ($191 million) from its Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to a biomedical technology-focused venture investment vehicle. It will match private sector commitments, bringing the total available for deployment...
Discovery buys stake in CMC-backed VS Media
US media company Discovery Communications has acquired a minority stake in VS Media Group, a Hong Kong-based multi-channel network (MCN) that counts China’s CMC Holdings among its investors.
LP interview: PERA New Mexico
The Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico has seen its private equity portfolio outperform in recent years, but the program is still being revised. CIO Jonathan Grabel explains why
Fund T&C: Carrot and stick
Fee discounts and co-investment often dominate GP-LP discourse, but longer-term issues surrounding economics and governance are increasingly important to negotiations over some Asian GPs’ fund terms
China's AMAC clamps down on domestic private funds
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) – an industry body set up by the securities regulator – has cancelled the registrations of more than 10,000 domestic private fund firms in the past six months as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal...
HTC VR accelerator adds 8 VC funds, backs 33 companies
Vive X, the accelerator program for virtual reality (VR) start-ups backed by Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC, has added eight VC funds to its backers, and announced the first 33 companies to receive its support.
New Zealand's Powerhouse Ventures files for $15m IPO
New Zealand-based start-up incubator and investor Powerhouse Ventures has filed to raise as much as A$20 million ($15.2 million) through an Australian IPO.
India's Mandala reaches $140m first close on Fund II
Mandala Capital, a South Asia-focused PE firm that invests in the agricultural sector, has reportedly reached a first close of about $140 million on its second fund.
Apollo, ICICI to form India distressed asset JV
Apollo Global Management and ICICI Bank have agreed to launch a joint venture for investments in distressed assets in India.
Chinese regulator to ban domestic VC firms from investing in A-shares
The Chinese government is considering new policies that could ban VC firms from investing in A-share listed companies, a senior official from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) told an industry conference.
IFC commits $200m to emerging markets fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has committed $200 million to its IFC Emerging Asia Fund (EAF).
MPM Capital forms VC fund with Japan's Astellas Pharma
MPM Capital, a US venture firm focused on early-stage life science companies, has launched a new investment vehicle in partnership with Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma.
Singapore's GIC expects weak returns in coming decade
Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Private saw its returns slow over the past year and warned the combination of high asset valuations, low interest rates and uncertain growth is likely to weigh on performance over at least the next decade.
Green House, WiL partner on $52m India fund
India's Green House Ventures (GHV) Accelerator will partner with Japan and US-based early-stage investor World Innovation Labs (WiL) to launch a INR3.5 billion ($52 million) fund for investments in Indian start-ups.
O3 targets $150m for India hospitality fund
Indian boutique investment bank O3 Capital has launched a fund targeting $120-150 million that will focus on domestic, early-stage hospitality sector investments.
China's Focus Media commits $150m to four investment funds
Focus Media, the Chinese outdoor advertising business taken private by a PE consortium and re-listed in Shenzhen last year through a reverse merger, is supporting four investment funds seeking to raise a combined RMB2 billion ($300 million).
China media: Lights, camera, regulation
From movie financing deals to production house acquisitions, Chinese capital is flooding into Hollywood with a view to potential windfalls back home. Should investors believe the hype or wait for the reviews?
Rocket Internet: The human wave
Rocket Internet has played a major role in developing Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector, but industry players say the firm’s most lasting effect will likely be the large talent pool that it is creating in the region
Hamilton Lane closes global fund-of-funds at $516m
Hamilton Lane has closed its latest global fund-of-funds at $516 million, exceeding a target of $400 million on the back of strong international investor interest.
China venture capital: Contrarian view
While capital is widely available in China's VC scene, investors continue to worry worry that the market is not developing as it should
Permira reaches $6.9b first close on latest global fund
Permira has achieved a first close for its sixth global buyout fund, with about EUR6.3 billion ($6.9 billion) in commitments.
QIC, Future Fund support AGL's Australia renewables fund
The QIC Global Infrastructure Fund and Future Fund have committed A$800 million ($598 million) to the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF), a vehicle launched by domestic electricity provider AGL Energy to bankroll large-scale renewable energy projects....
Alibaba Pictures launches $300m TV, movie fund
Alibaba Pictures, the Chinese internet giant’s Hong Kong-listed film and entertainment unit, has launched a RMB2 billion ($300 million) fund that will make movie and TV-related investments.
China's CIC posts negative return on overseas investments for 2015
China Investment Corporation (CIC) posted a 2.96% loss on its international portfolio in 2015 – the first annual negative return in four years and the third since its inception in 2008.