Industry
ADB pledges to double annual climate financing to $6b
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will double its investment in countering climate change in developing countries to $6 billion by 2020, up from the current $3 billion.
Qualcomm launches $150m India venture fund
Qualcomm Ventures, the VC arm of US semiconductor producer Qualcomm, has formed a $150 million fund to invest in Indian mobile and internet start-ups.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns September 29
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on Monday September 28 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Fosun, Zhejiang government launch RMB fund-of-funds
Fosun Group and the Zhejiang provincial government will launch a RMB10 billion ($1.6 billion) renminbi-denominated fund-of-funds (FoF), with a view to restructuring and transforming different industries.
Fund focus: Super funds flock to Blackbird
First State Super and HOSTPLUS join the LP roster for Blackbird Ventures' latest tech fund
Fund focus: LPs renew Carlyle's Japan mandate
Carlyle closes Japan fund at just under $1 billion, eyes corporate carve-outs, succession planning deals
ESG in infrastructure: Laying the groundwork
Environmental regulations in Asia are not keeping track with the needs of local markets. PE professionals say investors can take the lead in developing and enforcing necessary standards
The long game: Merchant banking-style PE
Ascendent Capital Partners’ China strategy involves advising companies first and raising the prospect of investment second, perhaps with a sizeable gap in between. Does this signal change in the middle market?
AVCJ: Under new ownership
I am proud to announce that AVCJ is now part of the Mergermarket Group. This brings to an end to Incisive Media’s nine-year tenure as owner of the AVCJ brand.
Singapore's NRF commits $28m to VC funds
Singapore's National Research Foundation (NRF) will commit S$40 million ($28 million) to local venture capital funds through the third installment of its Early Stage Venture Fund (ESVF).
Mergermarket Group acquires AVCJ
Asian Venture Capital Journal has been acquired by Mergermarket Group, a BC Partners portfolio company. It brings to an end Incisive Media’s nine-year tenure as owner of the brand.
Hony targets $2b for flagship China fund
Hony Capital is looking to raise $2 billion for its latest Greater China-focused fund. A first close of $1 billion is expected in mid-October.
Secondaries specialist NewQuest to seek $500m for Fund III
NewQuest Capital Partners, which targets secondary direct transactions across Asia, wants to raise $500 million for its third pan-regional fund.
India's Trifecta reaches $30m first close on venture debt fund
Trifecta Capital, the venture debt firm set up by former Canaan Partners Managing Director Rahul Khanna, has reached a first close of INR2 billion ($30 million) on its debut fund.
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi commits $30m to Asia climate fund
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) has committed $30 million to Asia Climate Partners, a fund set up by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan’s Orix Corp, and Robeco Institutional Asset Management.
ADV in $545m final close on debut Asia fund
ADV Partners has reached a final close of $545 million on its debut pan-regional fund, exceeding the $500 million target. Approximately 30% of the corpus has already been deployed.
Australia's PEP closes Fund V at A$2.1b
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has closed its fifth Australia and New Zealand-focused fund at the hard cap of A$2.1 billion ($1.5 billion). The vehicle came in oversubscribed as LP interest grew following a string of exits by the GP over the past 18 months....
Asian GPs improving on ESG awareness - AVCJ Forum
The impetus for environment, social and governance (ESG) issues achieving greater prominence in PE comes from Europe, but Asian GPs are not necessarily so far behind their counterparts in developed markets.
Hony still focused on China reform, despite market volatility
Hony Capital will continue to help Chinese companies – both private and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – with business transformation, despite weak global investor sentiment due to the country’s slowing economy.
Super funds support Blackbird's $143m Australia VC vehicle
Australia-based venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures has raised A$200 million ($143 million) for its second fund, winning support from local superannuation funds First State Super and HOSTPLUS.
Carlyle closes third Japan fund at $1b
The Carlyle Group has closed its third Japan-focused fund at JPY119.5 billion ($1 billion), exceeding the target of JPY100 billion.
Q&A: PRI's Fiona Reynolds
The UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) initiative has extended its coverage into private equity in recent years. Managing Director Fiona Reynolds offers a snapshot of her findings
Going green: PE's environmental value-add
The private equity industry's approach to environmental value-add is evolving. The Environmental Defense Fund, KKR and The Carlyle Group discuss the various partnerships that underpin these efforts
Social and governance: A good neighbor
Social and governance issues may not command the same level of attention as environmental factors, but GPs are nevertheless highly aware of their importance - before and after making an investment