Industry
US infrastructure: Mind the gap
The fact that the US needs to improve much of its public infrastructure is undisputed. But the fragmented nature of the market and politicization of deals still leave private investors frustrated
US LPs and Asian GPs: Survival of the fittest
With US LPs refocusing their Asia exposure – reducing the number of commitments if not the aggregate size – smaller funds may be feeling the pinch. But this could benefit the long-term health of the market
US-listed Chinese companies: Compliance costs
Chinese mobile game publisher iDreamSky Technology went public on NASDAQ in August 2014 after raising $116 million in its IPO. This windfall came with a price tag: the company paid $4.65 million in costs, most of it in accounting and legal expenses. A...
AVCJ daily bulletin returns July 2
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on Wednesday July 1 due to a public holiday marking the establishment of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Formation 8 to raise Asia VC fund
US venture capital firm Formation 8 is looking to raise a $400 million Asia fund to connect start-ups in the region with Silicon Valley.
Japan pension funds have out-dated view on PE risk - AVCJ Forum
Japan's pension fund industry needs to reevaluate its perception of private equity as a risky alternative asset, domestic LPs told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
Allegro closes Australia distress fund at $139m
Australian turnaround specialist Allegro Funds has closed its second vehicle at A$180 million ($139 million) and expects to see plenty of deal flow from domestic banks seeking alternative solutions to pushing distressed companies into insolvency.
Former Matrix China director launches RMB VC fund
Roger Hu, a director at Matrix Partners China, has teamed up with Yi Zheng, formerly vice president at Chinese dating app Momo, to launch a renminbi-denominated early-stage fund.
India to create trading platform for technology start-ups
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has provided details on plans for a trading platform for technology start-ups as it seeks to make it easier for companies to go public domestically. The regulator has also decided on measures to streamline...
PE-backed Focus Media's backdoor listing encounters hurdles
Private equity-backed Focus Media’s planned $7 billion reverse merger with Shenzhen-listed Hongda New Material has encountered another setback following the resignation of Hongda's chairman in response to a probe by authorities.
Hamilton Lane raises $1.5b for global co-investment fund
Hamilton Lane has reached a final close of $1.5 billion for its third co-investment fund, exceeding the $1 billion target.
Fund focus: InnoSpring builds cross-border bridges
San Francisco's Artisan State faced the classic start-up dilemma: a great idea with no way to make it happen. The firm knew there was demand for professional-quality photo books at affordable prices, but it didn’t have the facilities to produce them....
Fund focus: Shoreline rides the China credit cycle
Ben Fanger, co-founder and managing director at China distress specialist Shoreline Capital, divides credit cycles into four phases: a credit boom or misallocated lending; decelerating growth or credit tightening; the recognition that someone has to take...
Onshore IPOs and China VIEs: Replacement capital?
With Chinese entrepreneurs considering domestic IPOs, foreign VCs face the prospect of having to sell off investments in restricted industries. But the trend can only be sustained as long as valuations remain high
A team sport: PE and personalities
Private equity is a people business - this is an oft-repeated phrase at AVCJ events and certainly one that continues to be relevant.
Blue Sky reaches $11.5m first close on Australia VC fund
Australia-based alternatives investor Blue Sky has reached a first close of A$15 million ($11.5 million) on its second venture capital fund. The vehicle has a full target of A$30 million.
KKR commits $70m to China education player Tarena
KKR has invested $70 million in Tarena International, a provider of professional education and training in China, forming a new partnership with a PE backer as existing investors trim their holdings.
Arizona PSPRS commits $90m to StepStone Asia fund
Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (Arizona PSPRS) has agreed to commit up to $90 million to a StepStone AZ China and Asia Opportunity Fund.
India's Aavishkaar reaches $45m first close on $75m fund
India-based impact investor Aavishkaar has reached a $45 million first close on its South and Southeast Asia-focused fund, which has a full target of $75 million.
FTIL cancels IEX sale, agrees new terms
Financial Technologies India (FTIL) has agreed to sell a 16.6% stake in India Energy Exchange (IEX) to a consortium of investors for INR3.57 billion, cancelling an earlier arrangement to sell its entire stake in a deal led by TVS Capital Funds.
China regulator allows 100% foreign ownership in e-commerce
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has permitted foreign investors to fully own and operate e-commerce companies operating within the country.
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy UBS' alternative fund services unit
MUFG Investor Services, the asset servicing group of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, will buy UBS Global Asset Management's Alternative Fund Services (AFS) business.
VIDEO: Guernsey Finance's Dominic Wheatley
Investors are increasingly looking to run their activities through high quality rather than mass-market jurisdictions in response to stricter regulatory scrutiny, according to Dominic Wheatley, CEO of Guernsey Finance
Japan to lead boom in Asia restructuring activity - survey
Corporate restructuring activity in Japan should lead to a broader rise in the number of distress opportunities in Asia, as a result of both regulatory change and added pressure from investors.