Industry
Vivo raises $100m for Sino-US healthcare VC fund
Healthcare specialist Vivo Capital has closed its latest Sino-US venture capital fund with around $100 million in commitments. The vehicle will focus on early-stage investments.
China micro VC: The micro wave
Micro VC firms are a relatively new segment in China’s venture capital ecosystem, the product of angel investors going institutional. They focus on early stage deals, but as demand grows, will they stay there?
Ares to buy American Capital in $3.4b deal
American Capital, which has a presence in Asia through its energy and infrastructure investment business, will be acquired by Ares Capital Corporation (ACC) in a deal worth $3.43 billion.
Corporate VC: A fine balance
Corporations in Asia increasingly see the merits of captive VC units, but they must be clear in their financial and strategic objectives in order to give teams the right combination of autonomy and guidance
Fund focus: Geodesic helps US start-ups go big in Japan
The former US ambassador to Japan and the ex-head of Andreessen Horowitz's growth investment practice have joined forces to help US start-ups gain traction in Japan
Fund focus: Mekong looks to crack Vietnam's consumer code
Mekong Capital hopes to continue its success in Vietnam's consumer sector with the $112 million Mekong Enterprise Fund III, relying on a value creation model that is now tried and tested
India's Nalanda raises additional $620m for evergreen fund
India-focused GP Nalanda Capital has raised $620 million in a fresh tranche of funding for its evergreen vehicle Nalanda India Equity Fund.
Facebook co-founder's VC firm in first close on US-Asia fund - update
B Capital Group, a VC firm launched by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Raj Ganguly, formerly of Velos Partners and Bain Capital, has reached a first close on a US and Asia-focused fund, which has a full target of $250 million.
CPPIB names Asia, international head Mark Machin as CEO
Mark Machin, head of international and Asia president at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), will become the pension fund’s next global president and CEO. The appointment comes as CPPIB’s annual report indicates a continued ramp up in its Asia...
India's IDFC completes part-exit via Parag Milk Foods IPO
IDFC Alternatives has concluded its partial exit from Indian dairy firm Parag Milk Foods via the company's IPO, realizing INR1.8 billion ($26.7 million) from the offering.
Singapore's NRF seeds four corporate VC funds
Corporate VC funds operated by real estate developer CapitaLand, cloud services provider DeClout, agriculture company Wilmar International and logistics provider YCH Group will share S$40 million ($29 million) in seed funding from Singapore’s National...
Warburg Pincus to open Singapore office
Warburg Pincus will open an office in Singapore to improve its ability to identify and evaluate investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.
WI Harper raises $175m Asia fund
WI Harper Group has closed its eighth venture capital fund, which targets early-stage investments in Asia-focused companies, at $175 million.
Mekong closes Vietnam fund at $112m
Mekong Capital has reached a final close of $112 million on its fourth Vietnam-focused fund. The original target for the vehicle was $150 million.
Geodesic closes $335m VC fund to bridge US, Asia
Geodesic Capital, a US-based venture capital firm focused on helping start-ups drive Japanese expansion, has closed its first fund at $335 million.
China fund administration: In or out?
Whether they are US dollar managers upgrading their LP bases or renminbi GPs tapping offshore investors for the first time, China PE firms increasingly see the reputational value of independent administration
Taxing developments: India and Mauritius
Recent changes to India’s double taxation agreement with Mauritius have brought welcome clarity to the country’s private equity investors, but are also likely to require changes to their business practices
Fund focus: UC Capital looks to play matchmaker
UC Capital's Lions Growth Fund will give European manufacturers access to the connections and the capital in Asia they cannot get on their own.
Japan's AbbaLab launches $14m start-up fund
AbbaLab, a Japanese start-up incubator focused on hardware prototyping in the internet-of-things (IoT) space, has launched a JPY1.5 billion ($14 million) fund.
Meridian Capital seeks $307m for China VC fund
Meridian Capital, a Chinese technology-focused venture capital firm, is looking to raise RMB2 billion ($307 million) for its latest renminbi-denominated fund.
IFC, ADM Capital launch Asia lending platform
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has teamed up with Hong Kong-based ADM Capital to launch a lending platform to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia.
Aura launches Australia-focused VC fund
Aura Group, an Australia and Singapore-based fund management and investment business, is raising an Australia-focused venture capital fund with a target corpus of A$30 million ($21.8 million).
IFC to invest in Southeast Asia frontier markets fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, will invest up to $7.5 million in a PE fund managed by Singapore's Emerging Markets Investment Advisers (EMIA).
Japanese pharma group launches global VC arm
Japanese oncology specialist Taiho Pharmaceutical has launched a VC arm that will invest an initial pool of $50 million in global start-ups focused on cancer therapies.