Industry
LeapFrog reaches $400m close on second microfinance fund
LeapFrog Investments - the specialist microfinance investor backed by George Soros and JP Morgan Chase - has reached a $400 million close on its second fund targeting financial services investments in emerging Asia and Africa.
Unison holds $428m first close on Fund IV, eyes $714m
Unison Capital has reached a first close on its latest Japan buyout vehicle - Unison Capital Partners IV(F) - of JPY45 billion ($428 million), with the fund expecting a final close of JPY75 billion.
Carlyle closes fourth Asia buyout fund at $3.9b
The Carlyle Group has reached a final close on its fourth Asian fund - Carlyle Asia Partners IV (CAP IV) - at $3.9 billion.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns September 10
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on September 9 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.
UOB, Orix launch $200m SE Asia-focused mezz fund
Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and Japan's ORIX Corp. (ORIX) have launched a mezzanine fund providing expansion capital to mid-sized companies in Southeast Asia.
Asian media giants form China-focused film and TV fund
Taiwan’s Fubon Group, Hong Kong's Media Asia and South Korean music giant SM Entertainment have established a media-focused fund to jointly invest in Chinese film and TV production.
Korean LPs: A targeted market
From the National Pension Service downwards, Korean institutions are increasingly courted by international GPs on the fundraising trail. Building ties with these groups, formally or informally, can be difficult
China stem cell storage firm launches $813m M&A fund
Zhongyuan Union Stem Cell Bio-engineering, a Chinese stem cell storage service operator, has partnered with China Yinhong Capital to launch an industry M&A fund with a target of RMB5 billion ($813 million).
China caliper maker Guilin Guanglu raises $115m from PE
Guilin Guanglu Measuring Instrument, a Chinese electronic digital caliper maker, plans to raise RMB710 million ($115 million) from four domestic private equity firms.
A new, improved AVCJ Awards
As Asia’s private equity market deepens and becomes more diversified in terms of asset class, deal size and structure, and geography, the way we asses performance must evolve. The AVCJ Awards are and must remain limited in number – it is vital to their...
Nominations for the 2014 AVCJ Awards have now closed
Nominations for the 14th AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards have now closed.
State Street names new Asia alternatives head
State Street Corporation has appointed Bob Keogh as head of alternative investment solutions for Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, he will assume responsibility for servicing private equity, hedge fund and real estate managers.
Australia's Future Fund promotes infrastructure head to CIO
Australia’s Future Fund has appointed Raphael Arndt as chief investment officer. He was previously head of infrastructure and timberlands with the sovereign wealth fund.
Taiwan's Acer to launch $34m VC fund
Taiwanese computer maker Acer has established a NT$1 billion ($33.5 million) venture capital fund to invest in start-ups, with a view to strengthening the group’s technology development as well as generating financial returns.
Real assets not overpriced, if you know where to look - AVCJ Forum
There is no shortage of high-quality real assets available to private markets investors despite rising prices in certain areas, industry participants told the AVCJ Real Assets Forum. The onus is on investors to look beyond the obvious.
CSRC issues Chinese domestic PE fundraising rule
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has issued rules governing the domestic private equity industry following a public consultation.
China regulation: Circular progress
China’s foreign exchange regulator has issued new rules simplifying the use of offshore special purpose vehicles for investment purposes. It’s good news for VCs but questions remain about implementation
Fundraising: First impressions
A successful introductory meeting doesn’t guarantee LP support but it is an important first step on the road to achieving it. GPs must be informed, engaging and polished – but not too polished
Taiwan exits: Tread carefully
AVCJ has devoted considerable space to the challenges tied to foreign private equity buyouts in Taiwan, highlighting industry concerns about an opaque approvals process and the subsequent calls for clearer guidance on where PE is capital is and isn’t...
Ex-China Minsheng Bank executive launches $8b fund
Wenbiao Dong, former head of China Minsheng Banking, has launched a RMB50 billion ($8 billion) private investment fund.
NZVIF, Taiwan NDF reach $75m first close on VC fund
The first VC fund to be supported by a co-investment partnership between New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) and Taiwan's National Development Fund (NDF) has reached a $75 million first close.
India's Kaizen opens US office ahead of Fund II launch
Indian education-focused GP Kaizen Private Equity has opened an office in Silicon Valley ahead of launching its first pan-Asian fund, which has a target of $120 million.
Internal strife returns to China's NVC Lighting
NVC Lighting, a Chinese lightning products manufacturer backed by SAIF Partners and Goldman Sachs, has once again run into corporate governance problems as its founder and CEO refused to accept a board resolution that he step down.
Creador beats expectations with $300m final close on Fund II
Creador has reached a final close on its second fund at the hard cap of $300 million. A rush of late commitments saw the Southeast Asia and India-focused GP exceed its projected $275 million total.