Industry
2Q analysis: Numbers that deceive
Asia has seen remarkable revivals in private equity investment and fundraising – though not in exits – over the past three months. A handful of large-cap situations mask a weak environment
Luckin's chairman, PE backers removed from board
The chairman and largest shareholder in scandal-hit Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has been removed at the second attempt. Representatives of several of the company’s private equity backers have also left the board.
Hong Kong vs Singapore: Onshore overtures
Hong Kong and Singapore both position themselves as the headquarters of choice for private equity firms in Asia. But the competitive dynamics – from politics to structures – are not straightforward
Q&A: Navegar's Honorio Poblador
Honorio Poblador, co-founder at Philippines-based Navegar, explains how his firm is positioning its second fund – newly closed at $197 million – in the face of the COVID-19 downturn
China's Yingke PE raises $286m
Shanghai-based Yingke Private Equity has closed its latest renminbi-denominated fund with commitments of RMB2 billion ($286 million), primarily from insurers and other financial institutions.
Google commits $10b for India digitization effort
Google will launch a INR750 billion ($10 billion) fund to make equity, operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments that seek to increase the pace of digitization in India.
Large-cap vehicles support PE fundraising revival in second quarter
Asia private equity fundraising rebounded from a seven-year low in the first quarter of the year to reach $24 billion for April through June, but commitments were concentrated on a handful of managers.
Lawmakers endorse Hong Kong's fund domicile ambitions
Hong Kong’s updated limited partnership legislation has passed into law, giving private equity and venture capital managers the option of domiciling their funds in the territory.
DCM raises $880m for early-stage funds
DCM Ventures has raised $880 million across two funds that will continue its early-stage technology strategy, with 70% of the capital earmarked for deployment in China.
China IPOs: Star attraction
Having previously focused on offshore IPOs, China managers with US dollar funds are now considering the Star Market. But going onshore means more regulation as well as high valuations
Navegar closes second Philippines fund at $197m
Manila-based private equity firm Navegar has closed its second Philippines fund with $197 million in commitments. The initial target was $150 million.
Ashva raises $60m for India SME, start-up fund
Singapore-headquartered investment firm Blue Ashva Capital has secured a first close of INR4.5 billion ($60 million) for an India-domiciled fund that will invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
BP commits $70m to Everstone-managed India energy fund
Energy giant BP has agreed to invest $70 million in Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF), a PE vehicle co-managed by Everstone Group that invests in sustainable infrastructure projects in India.
Openspace completes first close on Southeast Asia VC fund
Openspace Ventures has achieved a first close of more than $90 million on its third Southeast Asia fund, which has an overall target of $200 million.
Fund focus: B Capital begins second innings
Growth capital investor B Capital expects enterprise services to feature prominently in its Fund II portfolio as technology ecosystems in Southeast Asia and India continue to develop
Sequoia raises $1.35b for India, Southeast Asia
Sequoia Capital closed its latest set of funds for deployment in India and Southeast Asia with $1.35 billion in commitments.
Singapore's Indies raises $100m for third PE, credit fund
Indies Capital, a Singapore-based GP focused on Indonesia, has reached a first close of $100 million for its third flagship private equity and credit fund.
China's Unity Ventures hits first close on US dollar fund
Chinese venture capital firm Unity Ventures - also known as Jiuhe - has reached a first close of $50 million on its debut US dollar-denominated fund. The vehicle has an overall target of $100 million.
Investigation confirms fraud at China's Luckin Coffee
Private equity-backed Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has confirmed earlier suspicions of large-scale financial fraud in its operations, while a proposal to remove the company’s chairman failed to receive enough shareholder support.
LP interview: FMO
Dutch impact investor FMO has maintained significant appetite for private equity and developing Asia with relatively few resources at its disposal. Fintech is the next frontier
Cayman fund regulation: Marginal gains
Private equity firms that use the Cayman Islands as a fund domicile are coming to terms with the realities of registration. Is the cumulative weight of increased regulation making them consider other jurisdictions?
Clime seeks $50m for Southeast Asia clean energy fund
Clime Capital, a newly established cleantech investor based in Singapore, has launched a clean energy fund for Southeast Asia targeting $50 million.
B Capital closes second fund at $820m
B Capital Group, a US-based VC with a presence in Singapore and a significant Asia portfolio, has closed its second global fund at $820 million.
KIC's private equity head to lead alternatives
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has promoted Jong-ho Kim from head of private equity to deputy CIO with a brief to lead its alternative investment group.