Industry
Unitius recruits ex-Morgan Stanley, UBS leads
Unitius Capital, a financial advisory business that focuses on capital sourcing for microfinance and other socially-focused operations, has recruited former Morgan Stanley India CEO and Country Head Narayan Ramachandran as its new co-chairman, as well...
Wilshire woes
Dennis Tito, founder of Wilshire Associates, reportedly paid at least $12 million and possibly up to $20 million for an eight-day stay in orbit at the International Space Station and in transit, courtesy of MirCorp.
New Horizon closes Fund III
New Horizon Investment Advisors, the Beijing-headquartered growth capital GP set up in 2005 as a JV between Temasek Holdings and SBI Holdings, has closed its New Horizon Capital III fund at $750 million, Jianming Zou, a director at New Horizon, confirmed...
The mill wheels churn
Two big investments in one week follow two major trade sales in the previous week.
CalPERS to commit $1.3 billion to infra
Leading US LP the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is to commit some $900 million to infrastructure GPs and invest $400 million directly, according to an internal statement to its investment committee.
Macquarie appoints Leong to cover Singapore
Macquarie Group has appointed Leong Yung Chee to its Head of Singapore Client Coverage position at Macquarie Capital Advisers, reporting to Kalpana Desai, Deputy Head of Asia for the division
Japanese private equity: Mount Fuji rumbles?
Maya Ando, AVCJ Japan Editor, delivers an update from the Japan market
Babson to form mezz team for Asia
Babson Capital Management, the US investment advisor claiming to manage some $100 billion of assets on behalf of global institutions, has announced the formation of a team to invest in mezzanine debt opportunities in Asia Pacific.
Yale ups private equity allocation after poor 2009
The Yale Endowment, the $16.3 billion LP for Yale University, decided in July 2009 to up its private equity commitment level from 21% to 26% of its portfolio, despite a 24.3% loss on the asset class over 2009.
UK's PSource plans China infrastructure fund
PSource Capital, a London-based alternative fund management and consulting firm, plans to form a China-focused infrastructure fund with seed capital of several hundred million dollars, committed by an unidentified Chinese investor.
Yes Bank cleantech fund first closing
India's private-sector Yes Bank is reportedly within two to three months of a $80 million first close for its first private equity cleantech fund, according to a public statement by the bank's COO, Alok Rastogi.
New US rules may affect foreign funds
A new US law, the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010,” just signed by US President Barack Obama, could drastically affect non-US financial institutions and private equity funds, as well as US LPs and family offices investing into them,...
China nixes SOE real estate investment
PRC authorities have ordered SOEs to halt investments in China's real estate sector, in an effort to cool land prices and redirect stimulus capital.
Advent's Nayak for Morgan Stanley India head
Morgan Stanley has announced the appointment of PJ Nayak, currently an operating partner in India for Advent International Private Equity, and former head of Axis Bank until 2009, as its new India CEO and country head.
Origo goes to Mongolia
Origo Partners, an AIM-listed China and India-focused private equity firm, has opened an office in Ulan Bator to support a dedicated fund, Origo Altai Partners, for investment in Mongolia.
Second 3i infra fund within 12 months: Ahuja
Speaking to media in India, Anil Ahuja, head of 3i Asia, has said that the leading London-headquartered private equity group will commence fundraising for its second Indian infrastructure fund within the next 12 months.
New Horizon closes Fund III
New Horizon Investment Advisors, the Beijing-headquartered growth capital GP set up in 2005 as a JV between Temasek Holdings and SBI Holdings, has closed its New Horizon Capital III fund at $750 million, a New Horizon director confirmed to AVCJ.
India moots energy fund
According to an Indian government official, India may consider deploying some of its $254 billion in foreign exchange reserves into an SWF to support its state-connected businesses in acquiring energy assets.
Hu move highlights Goldman's role
The news that Dr Fred Hu, Managing Director and Chairman of Greater China at Goldman Sachs, is retiring from the star investment bank after only two years in his current role, reportedly with plans to launch his own private equity fund, underlines the...
Fleming, Iglesias leave Wilshire in Tokyo, Canberra
Grant Fleming, the long-serving Managing Director of Wilshire Private Markets in Tokyo, and Ovidio Iglesias, Senior MD with Wilshire in Australia, have left the $6 billion fund-of-funds, the latest in a series of senior departures from Wilshire including...
Elevar closes new "poverty" fund
Seattle and Banglalore-based investment management company Elevar has announced the closing of a new "poverty-focused" growth capital fund at $70 million, and seeking to invest in microfinance institutions and other poverty-related platforms in India,...
CalSTRS appoints Wirth as PE head
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) has announced the appointment of Margot Wirth, previously interim co-head of private equity with the $132.6 billion LP, as its new director of the $16.8 billion private equity portfolio.
Ramnath attracts CPP IB
Leading North American LP the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has reportedly decided to commit $100 million to the new private equity firm, Multiple Alternate Asset Management, launched by former ICICI Venture MD and CEO Renukah Ramnath.
Green investing: The other side of the summit
COP15 may not yet have forged a future-proof global greenhouse gas reduction regime; but some still see it as an important step forward – and promising opportunities are budding in the green sector, especially in Asia.