Industry
Thailand VC: Tough nut to crack
As Thailand’s government signals its intention to embrace venture capital, the harder but less visible work of transforming a traditionally risk-averse culture grinds on
LPs and emerging markets: Expectations game
Institutional investors rank Southeast Asia and India as the most attractive emerging markets for GP investment, but there is also an awareness of the risks
BlackRock eyes Asia with $630m global buyout fund
BlackRock has raised more than $630 million for a direct co-investment buyout fund aimed in part at investments in emerging Asian markets.
Mayfield raises $525m across two global funds
US-based venture capital firm Mayfield has raised $525 million in capital across two global investment funds.
LPs slow new commitments to emerging markets PE - survey
Investor sentiment on emerging markets private equity appears to be weakening, with 40% of respondents in EMPEA’s global limited partners survey planning to increase commitments to fund managers in 2016, down from 46% last year.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority doubles alternatives commitments in 2015
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) made new or approved private equity and real estate commitments of $9.7 billion in 2015, double the previous year’s allocation.
Tsinghua Unigroup withdraws offer to acquire Taiwan’s SPIL
Chinese state-backed Tsinghua Unigroup has withdrawn its NT$56.8 billion ($1.7 billion) offer to acquire a stake in Silicon Precision Industries (SPIL), a Taiwanese semiconductor testing and packaging company.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns May 3
AVCJ's daily bulletin will not be published on Monday May 2 due to the Labor Day public holiday in Hong Kong.
StarVC co-founder launches new China VC fund
Xiaoming Huang, a Chinese actor who co-founded celebrity fund StarVC, has launched a new venture capital firm called Ming Capital.
Rocket Internet cuts valuation on fashion portal, raises $339m
Start-up incubator Rocket Internet and Sweden's Investment AB Kinnevik have committed EUR300 million ($339 million) to their emerging markets-focused online fashion portal Global Fashion Group (GFG), at a valuation of EUR1 billion.
Temasek makes organizational changes, promotions
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has combined its sector and market investment teams under a single investment group – promoting to president the two executives who will run this division – and created a new portfolio strategy and risk group in response...
HTC launches $100m VR accelerator in China, Taiwan, US
Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC has launched a global accelerator program with $100 million to support start-ups working on virtual reality (VR) applications.
Aarin Capital anchors $18.8m India venture fund
Aarin Capital has anchored the launch of Ideaspring Capital, a venture fund seeking to raise INR1.2 billion ($18.8 million) for investments in Indian technology start-ups.
Korea VC fundraising: Unbalanced boom
The forces behind a bumper year for South Korean venture fundraising serve as a reminder that local players must do more to build much-needed international relationships
Australia renewables: Clear skies
Having spent the last couple of years in a politics-driven limbo, Australia’s renewable energy sector is seeing renewed investor interest. Nevertheless, the market still presents various challenges
New kids on the block: Accessing Asia's emerging LPs
Patience is a virtue when looking for allocations from Asian institutions that are either new to private equity or planning to increase commitments to the asset class
Thailand to launch $568m venture fund
The Thailand government has announced the launch of a THB20 billion ($568 million) venture fund as part of an economic modernization agenda.
Innovation Works co-founder launches China seed fund
Zhaohui Wang, co-founder and formerly operating partner at Innovation Works, has launched a China-focused seed fund to invest in culture, media and sport-related assets.
Apollo, IFC form $1b emerging markets distress partnership
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has formed a $1 billion partnership with Apollo Global Management to invest in distressed assets in emerging markets.
FountainVest, Focus Media launch $400m China sport fund
FountainVest Partners and its portfolio company Focus Media - a Chinese outdoor advertising business that went public via a backdoor listing last year - will launch a $400 million sport industry-focused fund.
Asian LPs eye more alternatives – UBS
Large institutional Asian LPs are looking to boost allocations to alternative assets, including private equity, as they seek to diversify portfolios in response to economic volatility, according to UBS Asset Management.
Japan Post targets higher-yield assets
The new CEO of Japan Post Holdings has underlined his commitment to targeting riskier asset classes, including private equity and direct M&A opportunities. This comes as several local insurers are branching out into higher-return investments overseas...
Matrix co-founder leaves to start new firm
Rishi Navani, co-founder of Matrix Partners India, has left the GP to start a new investment practice, Epiq Capital.
Singapore's GIC appoints CIO for private equity
Singapore’s GIC Private has named Yong-Cheen Choo as chief investment officer for private equity, one of five new roles created to enhance the sovereign wealth fund’s investment capabilities.