Industry
Fund-level due diligence: More than ticking boxes
Corrupt deals, agreements with the dishonest and lackluster returns can all be avoided by doing sufficient due diligence on a GP. But advisers say LPs in Asia sill aren’t doing enough
The revolving door: Chinese LPs and talent retention
Employing people in China, especially at junior level, is an illuminating experience. Job notices provoke a barrage of resumes crammed with work experience. After the customary 30-second scan, you are forced to blink and re-read, asking yourself, “How...
Terra Firma, CDB to launch infrastructure fund – report
UK-based private equity firm Terra Firma and China Development Bank (CDB) are reportedly planning to launch an energy infrastructure fund worth $3-5 billion at an investor meeting this week.
Japan's GPIF considers alternative investments
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the world’s biggest pool of retirement savings, is considering diversifying into alternative assets, including private equity. A GPIF executive told AVCJ that a consultation project began in September...
Carlyle, Unison-backed Covalent avoids bond default
Covalent, the Japanese semiconductor materials manufacturer owned by The Carlyle Group and Unison Capital, has averted a debt default by agreeing to buy back securities from its bondholders. Much like its counterpart Renesas Electronics, which is seeking...
MoFo adds Masahiro Shiga in Tokyo
Morrison & Foerster has appointed real estate finance lawyer Masahiro Shiga as a partner at Ito & Mitomi, the joint venture through which it provides legal services in Japan.
Loeb & Loeb launches Hong Kong office
Loeb & Loeb has launched its second Asia office in Hong Kong, having opened in Beijing three years ago. The law firm's Hong Kong operations will run in conjunction with local player Pang & Co. Benny Pang, managing partner at Pang & Co, will join Loeb...
Longreach reaches final close of $400m for fund II
The Longreach Group has reached a final close of $400 million for its second fund. The private equity firm will continue targeting control investments in Japan and North Asia, with a particular focus on the mature industrial and technology space, financial...
Nominations open for the 2012 AVCJ India Awards
The AVCJ Editorial Board is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2012 Awards are now open. We are inviting our entire reader base and many others in the industry to put forward candidates to be considered for the nomination shortlist.
Korea's outbound mandate
Despite numerous government initiatives promoting overseas M&A, Korean conglomerates outside the energy space are still relatively conservative. Can private equity help turn the tide?
Australian infrastructure: Changing tastes
Australia’s superannuation funds are active infrastructure investors, but the size and nature of commitments to the asset class are influenced by past experience, available resources and risk appetite
CHAMP makes first Southeast Asia forays
CHAMP Private Equity’s engagement with the wider Asian market began 15 years ago, before Australian Mezzanine Partners partnered with US-based Castle Harland to create the PE firm as it exists today.
MoFo hires ex-A&O PE specialist Jeremy Hunt
Morrison & Foerster has recruited Jeremy Hunt as a partner in its Hong Kong-based corporate practice. Hunt joins after 24 years at Allen & Overy, where he worked on numerous private equity transactions involving the likes of The Carlyle Group, Temasek...
Bonderman praises India finance minister
David Bonderman, founder of TPG Capital, has said that the change in the finance minister for India has enhanced sentiment about the country as a place to do business. His firm plans to put more effort into hunting down local investment opportunities...
IUVP rebrands as Kalaari Capital, closes $150m India VC fund
The founders of Indo US Venture Partners (IUVP) have established Kalaari Capital Advisors, a new fund manager that has raised a venture capital vehicle worth $150 million for the Indian market.
TPG hires Credit Suisse's Francis Woo for Southeast Asia – report
TPG Capital has reportedly hired Francis Woo as a principal for its Southeast Asia team. He was previously director and co-head of corporate finance for Southeast Asia at Credit Suisse.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns October 3
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on October 1-2 due to a public holiday in Hong Kong marking the Mid-Autumn Festival and China's National Day.
VIDEO: CHAMP Private Equity's John Haddock
The rise of Asian strategic buyers is creating a new exit channel for Australian private equity firms, according to John Haddock, managing director at CHAMP Private Equity. The GP has direct exposure to this trend, having exited Manassen Foods to China’s...
NewQuest-led group seeks removal of China Hydro directors
An investor group led by NewQuest Capital Partners is calling for the removal of five directors of China Hydroelectric Corporation, citing strategic and operational issues at the company and the apparent lack of credibility and accountability on the board....
Bankrupt Woongjin halts $1.1b Coway sale to MBK
MBK Partners’ KRW1.2 trillion ($1.1 billion) investment in water purifier business Woongjin Coway appears to be on shaky ground after parent company Woongjin Holdings filed for court receivership on Wednesday and put the deal on hold.
OPIC commits $135m to two Indian funds
Two Indian private equity funds - IndoSpace Logistics Parks II and BanyanTree Growth Capital II – have received an overall commitment of $135 million from Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
SJ Berwin appoints Hong Kong head
SJ Berwin has appointed George Pinkham as head of its Hong Kong office. Effective October 1, Pinkham will lead the law firm’s expansion plans across Asia Pacific, building on its existing practices in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Launching the 2012 AVCJ India Awards
India sees relatively few big-ticket private equity deals outside the infrastructure space. As such, Bain Capital’s $851 million investment in Hero Honda Motors last March, was an outlier – and by far the largest buyout of 2011.
Australian Super CEO hits out at PE fees
The chief executive of Australia’s largest industry superannuation fund has criticized the level of fees charged by private equity fund managers and argues that their compensation model needs to change.