Industry
NewQuest collects $1b for Asia secondaries fund
NewQuest Capital Partners has closed its fourth secondaries fund at the revised hard cap of $1 billion, comfortably exceeding the $540 million raised in the previous vintage.
Tech, policy changes the main risks in energy – AVCJ Forum
Technology disruption and short-term policy changes are the two key challenges facing investors in the energy sector, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
Keppel Capital takes 50% interest in Pierfront Capital
Singapore-based Keppel Corporation has agreed to buy a 50% interest in Pierfront Capital, an alternative credit investment fund manager controlled by Temasek Holdings.
Uncertain times: The outlook for Asia
Private equity activity is lagging in Asia across fundraising, investment and exits as a result of political and economic headwinds. But there is still appetite for new managers and strategies
India's Sanaka Capital invests $44m in Edelweiss
Sanaka Capital, an Indian private equity firm established by Shankar Narayanan, formerly co-head of The Carlyle Group's Asia growth team, has agreed to invest $44 million in local financial conglomerate Edelweiss.
LPs going direct 'not a front of mind issue' in Asia - AVCJ Forum
Large institutional investors pursuing direct deals on a solo basis represents a logical evolution of the private equity industry and shouldn’t necessarily be regarded as a threat, Asia-focused buyout managers told the AVCJ Forum.
Fundraising gap impedes mid-market exits – AVCJ Forum
Polarization in fundraising has left middle-market investors with difficult options for realizing exits, according to industry participants at the AVCJ Forum.
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Howard Marks
Howard Marks, co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, discusses populism, deficit, trade wars, the shift in focus from public to private markets, and why his default position is one of caution
GPs see specialization as antidote to challenging market - AVCJ Forum
Investors at the AVCJ Forum offered optimistic outlooks for 2020 but said tighter deal markets would demand specialization in defensive sectors and a closer watch on valuations.
Asian outposts: LPs see value in a local presence
Few institutional investors have the scale, resources or mandate to establish private markets platforms within Asia. Those that do are looking to make it pay off through co-investment
LPs rank attitude higher than policy in ESG – AVCJ Forum
Investing with an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mindset in Asia is more important than having an ESG policy, LPs told the AVCJ ESG Forum.
Deal focus: BGH taps LP expertise for Australia, NZ dentistry deal
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is the sole LP co-investor in BGH Capital's acquisition of Abano Healthcare by virtue of its previous experience with dentistry chain assets
Primavera raises $3.4b for third China fund
Primavera Capital Group has closed its third China fund at $3.4 billion, having extended the fundraising period by six months.
Due diligence & psychology: Internal audit
PE investors – whether they are putting money into companies or funds – must apply more psychologically informed tactics to remain competitive. It is the industry’s most intellectual frontier
PAG, Centurium win firm of the year prizes at AVCJ Awards
PAG Asia Capital and Centurium Capital secured the two firm of the year prizes at the 2019 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, while Renuka Ramnath of India’s Multiples Alternative Asset Management won the AVCJ Special Achievement Award.
Q&A: Teacher Retirement System of Texas' Eric Lang
Eric Lang, senior managing director of external private markets at Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), discusses co-investment, strategic partnerships, and Asian expansion plans
Indian Angel Network closes VC fund at $53m
Indian Angel Network (IAN) has closed its first venture capital fund with INR3.7 billion ($53 million) in commitments. The target was INR3.5 billion.
Singapore's Tembusu seeks $287m for China liquor fund
Singapore private equity firm Tembusu Partners has received a strategic commitment of up to RMB670 million ($96 million) for a RMB2 billion fund targeting the liquor industry in China’s Guizhou province.
CICC, AstraZeneca launch $1b China healthcare fund
China International Capital Corporation (CICC) and global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca are looking to raise $1 billion for a fund that will back Chinese healthcare companies as well as international players looking to enter the country.
ESG in Asia: Maturing perspectives
Asian investors are growing more confident in their approaches to environmental, social, and governance issues, but policies must be flexible enough to handle unforeseen complications
Philippines-based Xurpas acquires Wavemaker Partners
Philippines consumer technology developer Xurpas has agreed to acquire the US operations of venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners.
SoftBank founder admits to lapses on WeWork
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son admitted to a lapse in judgment on WeWork while disclosing that SoftBank Vision Fund and SoftBank Group have written down their positions in the beleaguered co-working space provider by a combined $7.7 billion.
Eastern Bell closes first US dollar fund at $365m
China’s Eastern Bell Capital has closed its first US dollar-denominated fund at $365 million, exceeding the target of $350 million.
Investcorp backs $500m Asia food fund
Investcorp has teamed up with China Resources and Fung Investments, the private investment arm of the founding family of Hong Kong consumer goods and supply chain conglomerate Fung Group, to raise a $500 million Asia food fund.