Industry
2022 preview: Japan VC
Japanese VC is growing up fast and looking a little less homogenous in the process. A longstanding growth-stage gap is about to disappear as new actors file in
2022 preview: Healthcare
Healthcare’s high-cost, rapidly digitizing profile will persist regardless of how COVID-19 plays out in the coming years. China appears set for consolidation, including in biotech
2022 preview: India tech
As India’s technology sector balloons, investors are balancing confidence about fundamentals with expectations of pushback. Both will play out in 2022 to some extent
Hong Kong's Brinc raises $130m for blockchain programs
Hong Kong accelerator Brinc has raised $130 million for blockchain-related accelerator programs and a global expansion with support from Animoca Brands, a local segment leader backed by several VCs.
2022 preview: China fundraising
Investors held fire on commitments to China managers amid uncertainty over regulatory reforms. Industry participants hope the government will provide clarity, but the fear LPs won’t hurry back
Japan's Global Brain launches two VC funds, expands global remit
Japan’s Global Brain has launched its eighth flagship VC fund, seeking JPY40 billion ($352 million) for a more international-facing mandate. It has also launched a follow-on fund targeting JPY10 billion.
Q&A: Legend Capital's Richard Li
Richard Li, president of Legend Capital, on evolving US-China relations, the logic behind the recent wave of regulation, investing in line with government policy, and why LPs should get used to onshore exits
New faces, old faces: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2021
2021 in review: Boom time
Cheap debt and a desire for assets that deliver technology-driven growth have propelled Asia private equity investment to new highs and supported a resurgence in exits. But fundraising still fails to convince
Blue Owl buys Asia-based placement agent
US alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital has acquired Hong Kong placement agent Ascentium with a view to establishing a physical presence in the territory and pursuing a broader regional expansion.
CPPIB promotes Agus Tandiono to Asia head
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has appointed Agus Tandiono, who leads its fundamental equities team in Asia, as regional head.
Diversity, inclusion agendas require patience - AVCJ Forum
Executing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda in private equity requires intentionality, multiple areas of focus, and above all time, given the apprenticeship nature of the industry, the AVCJ Diversity & Inclusion Forum heard.
Circulate hits second close on climate tech fund
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based GP dedicated to reducing plastics pollution, has reached a second close of $25 million on its second fund.
HarbourVest hires Allianz executive for China institutional busines
HarbourVest Partners has recruited Cicely Sun from Allianz Global Investors as a managing director and co-head of its Beijing office.
Fund focus: Lightspeed bets on green-tech
Green-tech is the latest big idea being championed by Lightspeed China Partners. It has inspired a change in the firm’s name and it will underpin deployment of the new $920 million fund
LP interview: Pictet
Switzerland-headquartered private bank Pictet is adding headcount in Asia – to assess investments as well as woo clients – as the introduction of new strategies increases exposure to the region
Fund focus: AC Ventures hits its stride early
AC Ventures rallies global investors for an Indonesia-heavy Southeast Asia thesis, more than doubling its expected corpus as pandemic disruption changes everything but the plan
Asia exits: Pass the parcel
Sponsor-to-sponsor exits are set to reach a record high in Asia this year as private equity firms increase velocity of deployment and some strategics remain in a pandemic-induced funk
Goldman invests $96m in Australia disability housing player
Goldman Sachs Asset Management has committed A$137 million ($96 million) to Synergis, an Australian investment platform focused on providing housing for people with disabilities.
China's Didi to delist in New York
China ride-hailing platform Didi, which has traded poorly ever since being targeted by regulators in the wake of its IPO in June, plans to delist from the New York Stock Exchange and relist in Hong Kong.
KKR hires Asia growth equity head
KKR has appointed Mukul Chawla, formerly of Temasek Holdings, to the newly created position of partner and head of growth equity for Asia Pacific.
Lightspeed China closes US dollar fund at $920m
Lightspeed China Partners has closed its latest US dollar-denominated fund at $920 million. It is the largest fund raised by the firm and brings assets under management to $3 billion.
Indonesia's AC Ventures closes debut fund at $205 million
AC Ventures, an early-stage investor created through the merger of Indonesia’s Agaeti Ventures and Convergence Ventures, has closed its debut fund at $205 million. The target was $80 million.
Deal focus: Permira passes Tricor baton to Baring
Permira helped Tricor Group consolidate its position in Asian corporate services and upgrade its product offering. Under Baring Private Equity Asia’s ownership, the CEO wants to build a $10 billion company