Industry
Lok Capital's second fund closes at $65m
Mumbai-based venture capital Lok Capital has closed its second fund at $65 million, a social venture capital vehicle targeting microfinance providers directly as well as companies that support the microfinance ecosystem.
Hony's Zhao: Foreign prejudice against Chinese investment is unfair
John Zhao, CEO of Hony Capital, told the gathering of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that foreign prejudice against Chinese investment is unfair, adding that the global community should recognize that many domestic firms are taking their first...
India Infoline raises a $100m real estate fund
India Infoline Venture Capital Fund, the venture capital arm of the India Infoline group(IIFL), has raised a INR5 billion ($100 million) real estate fund. It is the brokerage's first foray into the private equity business.
Tano's second India fund reaches final close at $111m
Tano Capital, an Asia focused alternative asset management firm, has reached a final close of $111.3 million for its second India private equity fund, having originally targeted $150 million.
IFC considers investment in Indian SME-focused fund
International Finance Corp. (IFC), the World Bank’s investment arm, may invest up to $20 million in Pragati India Fund, a vehicle targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India’s low income states. The fund is aiming to raise $75-100 million...
Japan's Unison Capital cuts fund due to limited deals - report
Japan’s Unison Capital has reportedly cut the size of its third fund by one quarter to JPY107 billion ($1.4 billion) due to limited deal flow.
John Tsang: Hong Kong as magnet for PE funds
Hong Kong has retained its status as a private equity hub, largely on the back of developments in mainland China, said Hong Kong's financial secretary John Tsang at an industry event.
TPG, GIC recues Li Ning with $119m convertible bonds
Hong Kong-listed Li Ning, the leading Chinese sportswear brand, announced on Thursday that it has sold RMB750 million ($119 million) in convertible bonds to TPG Capital and Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC). This follows the company's disappointing...
US increases disclosure requirements for foreign listings
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced rules that compel foreign companies seeking US listings to file their registration documents publicly. Previously, IPO documentation remained confidential until the issuers were ready to launch...
Intel backs Japanese tech firm G-cluster
Japanese technology company G-cluster Global has received support from Intel Capital and SFR Développement, the venture capital arm of French telecoms company SFR.
L Capital in talks with Indian ethnic wear chain
L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of luxury goods giant LVMH group, is in talks to acquire a minority stake in Fabindia, an Indian ethnic fashion retailer.
Norton Rose Australia PE head joins Sparke Helmore
Nick Humphrey, former head of private equity for Norton Rose Australia, has joined Sparke Helmore Lawyers as the legal firm’s national corporate practice group leader.
Goldman Sachs to launch first energy-focused fund
Goldman Sachs plans to raise $2-3.5 billion for its first energy-focused private equity fund. The global vehicle, known as Broad Street Energy Partners, will target the oil, gas and power industries.
Hony's bumper raise sparks concerns about China fund sizes
How much is too much? Hony Capital set the benchmark for the string of large China-focused funds expected to launch in the next year or so as it closed its fifth vehicle at $2.4 billion. Hony Capital Fund V took barely four months to complete its fundraising,...
China targets illicit PE fundraising
Horror stories of individual investors being talked into committing capital to suspect private equity funds have prompted regulatory intervention in China. But progress is slow and the road is long.
Private equity and Asia's new rich
On two occasions last week, fund managers told me they were looking to attract capital, but not from the standard institutional LP. Is this a coincidence or the start of a new trend? It’s not yet clear. But one contributing factor of which we can be certain...
Indian commodity exchange in talks with PE firms
India’s fourth largest exchange, the National Multi-Commodity Exchange of India (NMCE), is in talks with five private equity firms and banks to raise INR300-350 million ($5.9-6.9 million) to comply with minimum capital rules.
Cinemacraft receives funding from 500 Startups
Asian interactive media platform provider Cinemacraft has secured funding from US-based business incubator 500 Startups.
India to launch state-backed $1b innovation fund
India plans to roll out a $1 billion government-backed venture fund to support innovative companies that promise a better future to the poor.
Actis moves closer to full management buyout
The UK government is moving closer to the sale of its remaining stake Actis, with the private equity firm’s management team the most likely buyers after a 12-month search failed to deliver any rival bidders. However, deep divisions remain over the price...
Kedaara to pursue carve-outs from Indian conglomerates
Kedaara Capital, the private equity firm created by Manish Kejriwal and Sunish Sharma, formerly of Temasek India and General Atlantic India, respectively, will focus on investments in carve-outs and spin-offs of non-core assets from large corporations....
CrystalGenomics receives $2.6m from VC-backed fund
South Korea-based CrystalGenomics has secured KRW3 billion ($2.6 Million) through a private placement to the Korea Seoul Life Science Fund (KSLSF).
Singapore property funds look to invest $100m in Indian SEZ
Singapore property funds Ascendas and Mapletree Investments are in talks to commit $100million to a special economic zone (SEZ) near the Indian city of Pune.
Citadel Capital seeks capital from Chinese LPs
Middle Eastern private equity firm Citadel Capital is seeking to raise capital in China and is in talks with a Beijing-based sovereign wealth fund, according to Stephen Murphy, the firm’s managing director responsible for institutional fundraising.