Industry
Gaorong seeks $1b for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Gaorong Capital is targeting $1 billion for its fifth US dollar-denominated fund – twice the amount raised in the previous vintage.
PineBridge, Peter Thiel launch Southeast Asia-focused SPAC
Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies and Founders Fund, has teamed up with PineBridge Investments and Pacific Century Group on a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) that will target new economy assets in Southeast Asia.
CITIC, SF Holdings raise $308m China logistics fund
CITIC Capital and SF Holdings – the parent company of SF Express, China’s second-largest courier company – have launched a RMB2.1 billion ($308 million) fund that will invest in logistics properties.
AMP Capital forms Asia infrastructure debt team
Australia’s AMP Capital has doubled down on its Asia Pacific infrastructure debt strategy with the creation of a dedicated team based across Sydney and Singapore.
GGV targets $2b for China, US tech investments
GGV Capital will return to market with its latest set of China and US-focused funds, seeking to raise an aggregate $2 billion, up from $1.88 billion in the prior vintage.
Fund focus: Qiming's cleantech team spins out, raises $73m fund
Inspiration Capital, a spinout from Qiming Venture Partners, has raised RMB500 million for its debut fund that focuses on cleantech and advanced manufacturing investments in China
BA Capital raises $147m for renminbi fund, hits first close on dollar fund
BA Capital, a Shanghai-based venture capital firm also known as Black Ant Capital, has raised RMB1 billion ($147 million) for its second renminbi-denominated fund.
CLSA closes fourth Japan fund at $450m
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has closed its fourth Japan mid-market fund at $450 million after approximately three months in the market.
Panlin raises $148m for China VC fund
Shanghai-based venture capital firm Panlin Capital has raised RMB1 billion ($148 million) in its latest early-stage fund having spent about 16 months in the market.
Fund focus: A window of opportunity
With $600 million in dry powder in its third Huaxing Growth Capital US dollar-denominated fund, China Renaissance has demonstrated a willingness to deploy while others hold back
Subscription credit: Fine lines
Increased standardization on disclosure has improved the visibility LPs have into how private equity firms are using subscription credit lines, but they must be mindful of attempts to loosen terms.
LPs see decoupling as bigger issue than delisting - AVCJ Forum
The long-term implications of US-China decoupling are of greater concern than the prospect of Chinese companies being forced to delist from US stock exchanges, LPs told the AVCJ China Forum.
Japan's 31 Ventures establishes second fund with $81m
Japan-based 31 Ventures, a VC firm established by local investor Global Brain and property developer Mitsui Fudosan, has launched a second fund of JPY8.5 billion ($81 million).
LP interview: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
For Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, COVID-19 has reinforced the key tenets of its Asia investment strategy, from being flexible on timeline to putting boots on the ground
Lightspeed establishes Southeast Asia VC team
Lightspeed Venture Partners has formalized its Southeast Asian practice with the nomination of Akshay Bhushan (pictured) as head of a new Singapore office and three additional hires.
US LPs in China: Willing buyers?
There is no clear evidence of US LPs passing on China funds as a result of tensions between the two countries, but their current or future reluctance could be shrouded in various obfuscations
Joseph Wan leaves Cinven, forms Hong Kong family office
Joseph Wan, previously a Hong Kong-based operating partner for European private equity firm Cinven, has established a multi-family office called Anchor Strategic Partners.
Q&A: Starquest Capital's Frankie Fang
Frankie Fang, founding managing partner of China-focused fund-of-funds Starquest Capital, discusses early-stage valuations, specialization among domestic managers, and renminbi fundraising
China Renaissance closes third US dollar fund at $600m
China Renaissance has closed the third US dollar-denominated fund under its flagship Huaxing Growth Capital private equity platform at $600 million.
Temasek sees portfolio shrink, ups investment pace
Temasek Holdings has deployed a record S$32 billion ($23.3 billion) in the past year – with technology and healthcare the main beneficiaries – even as the impact of COVID-19 saw its overall portfolio shrink in value for the first time since 2016.
China apps going global: Empires on hold
China’s data-driven consumer apps are having a harder time keeping politics out of business as they become increasingly competitive in global markets. Lessons are plentiful; solutions are not
China due diligence: Nightmare scenarios
Luckin Coffee’s precipitous rise and fall is a reminder of longstanding issues around corporate fraud in China. Failing to spot problems before they emerge remains a key concern for PE investors
Vertex China closes first renminbi fund at $438m
Vertex China, a VC firm affiliated to Temasek Holdings-owned Vertex Holdings, has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund at RMB3 billion ($438 million).
Australia's Blackbird launches New Zealand fund
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has launched a NZ$60 million ($40 million) New Zealand-dedicated fund with a cornerstone investment of NZ$21.5 million from the government.