Industry
PE must define itself to take advantage of Asia buyout opportunities - AVCJ Forum
Asia continues to offer buyout opportunities, but funds looking to take advantage of them must define their benefits to company leaders, industry leaders told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
Vickers Venture Partners raises $63m
Singapore’s Vickers Venture Partners has reached an S$86 million ($63.3 million) first close for its fifth fund, which is targeting early and expansion stage Asian companies.
Singapore-listed Keppel targets $1.5b for two PE funds
Singapore conglomerate Keppel Corporation has raised $410 million for two private equity funds – to be operated by its asset management arm – that have a combined target of $1.5 billion.
Brookfield, State Bank of India plan $1b distress fund
Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management has signed a preliminary agreement with the State Bank of India (SBI) to invest about INR70 billion ($1 billion) in stressed assets in India.
KKR's Kravis sees Asia promise amid global macro volatility
Henry Kravis, co-founder of KKR, emphasized the importance of Asia’s rising middle class and the diversification of his firm’s investment approach as continued volatility globally is likely to deliver both uncertainty and opportunity.
Asia-based diligence provider Poseidon bought by Exiger
The Poseidon Group, a Hong Kong and Singapore-based due diligence and business intelligence provider, has been acquired by global regulatory risk and compliance player Exiger.
Volatility drives opportunities in Southeast Asia - AVCJ Forum
Southeast Asia is expected to maintain a strong level of private equity investment opportunities thanks to continued regional volatility, leading industry players told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
500 Startups raises $8.3m for enlarged Thai fund
US-based 500 Startups has received $8.3 million in LP commitments for its Thailand-focused early-stage fund 500 TukTuks after expanding its targeted scope on the back of increased investor interest.
IFC to support Unitus-backed emerging markets accelerator
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to support an accelerator fund launched by Capria Ventures – an impact investment firm sponsored by Unitus – that will focus on South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Chinese consortium agrees scaled back Opera deal
A PE-backed Chinese consortium has agreed a $600 million acquisition of the web browser business of Norway’s Opera Software after a full takeover bid worth $1.2 billion failed to attain government approval.
GPs must be prepared to listen when pitching family offices - AVCJ Forum
Private equity firms must take the time to understand their audience when pitching funds to family offices, leading industry practitioners told the AVCJ USA Forum.
Asia more attractive due to Western dysfunction - AVCJ Forum
The Asia opportunity for private equity has become all the more compelling for the political uncertainty blighting Western markets, investors told the AVCJ USA Forum.
Brookfield closes $14b global infrastructure fund
Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management has achieved a final close of $14 billion for a global infrastructure fund, exceeding the vehicle’s original target corpus of $10 billion.
2Q analysis: Flattering to deceive?
China shores up Asia investment activity, driven by tech-related deals; robust VC fundraising in China, Southeast Asia masks weak region-wide activity; volatility prolongs the exits downturn
Vietnam redux
Vietnam's private equity sector is coming into its own; future success will require GPs to maintain consistent performance levels
Fragmentation factor: Deal-by-deal draws interest in Southeast Asia
Deal-by-deal investment is gaining traction in Southeast Asia due to a reluctance to back blind pool funds in the region and highly localized deal-sourcing. It is unclear whether the dynamic could, or should, remain
IDG Capital Partners closes $1b China VC fund
IDG Capital Partners has closed its latest China-focused venture capital fund at $1 billion, in partnership with Silicon Valley-based Breyer Capital.
BOV Capital launches $14.9m Sri Lanka VC fund
Sri Lanka and Singapore-based venture firm BOV Capital has launched its maiden INR1 billion ($14.9 million) vehicle, with a mandate to invest in early-stage Sri Lankan technology companies.
Singapore's Temasek sees portfolio decline due to market volatility
Temasek Holdings saw the biggest single-year drop in the value of its investment portfolio since the aftermath of the global financial crisis, with S$242 billion ($179 million) in assets for the 12 months ended March 2016 compared to a record high of...
Gopher, Perfect World launch $300m China media M&A fund
Gopher Asset Management, the PE arm of Noah Holdings, has teamed up with Chinese movies-to-gaming company Perfect World to launch a media and culture M&A fund that has a target of RMB2 billion ($300 million).
Farallon raises $1.1b for Asia, Latin America special situations fund
Farallon Capital Management has closed its third special situations fund focused on Asia and Latin America at $1.1 billion.
India's Carlyle-backed PNB Housing Finance files for IPO
PNB Housing Finance, the mortgage lender subsidiary of India's state-run Punjap National Bank that is backed by The Carlyle Group, has filed for a INR25 billion ($370 million) IPO.
Partners Group to open office in Manila
Switzerland-based global private markets investment manager Partners Group will open an office in Manila as part of its Asia expansion.
Australia's Alchemy Ventures launches $150m fund
Australian venture capital firm Alchemy Ventures has launched a A$200 million ($150.3 million) fund that will focus largely on regional start-ups specializing in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

