Regulation
China’s first US-listed SaaS company forced to delist
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has suspended trading of China’s Cloopen and will apply to delist the software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider due to a failure to file its annual reports.
China: Who’s investing?
Private equity investment in China remains in the doldrums yet local investors claim to see green shoots. Where, when, and how they engage with the market is likely to differ from previous cycles
Korea plans $751m venture capital fund-of-funds
The Korean government has sought to counter a steep drop-off in venture capital investment by pledging significant policy support for the industry, including a KRW 1trn (USD 751m) fund-of-funds.
Q&A: Vitalbridge Capital’s Jinjian Zhang
Jinjian Zhang, founder of Chinese VC firm Vitalbridge Capital, on addressing domestic turbulence, getting investors to reengage on China, and where he sees opportunities in Southeast Asia
Top Chinese semiconductor investor released from detention
Datong Chen, co-founder of WestSummit Capital and one of China's foremost semiconductor investors, has been released by local authorities after eight months of detention.
HKEX relaxes rules for IPOs by pre-profit tech companies
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has loosened its listing requirements to allow pre-profit technology companies to go public with market capitalisations as low as HKD 6bn (USD 764m).
China IPOs: Back to New York
With regulatory challenges receding, Chinese companies are once again targeting US listings. But the journey to New York – in terms of approvals, locations, and valuations – isn’t necessarily smooth
Hong Kong: Action on innovation
Efforts to turn Hong Kong into a technology ecosystem are still at an early stage. Investors and start-up founders believe many of the ingredients are there, but the recipe can be flawed or ignored
Regulator raises the qualification bar for Chinese GPs
China has introduced minimum paid-up capital requirements for local private equity firms that could force smaller, less sophisticated players out of the market.
Fan Bao cooperating with investigation - China Renaissance
Fan Bao, group chairman of China Renaissance, is “cooperating in an investigation being carried out by certain authorities” in China, the firm has announced.
Data sovereignty: Compliance complex
Deglobalisation is broadening the concept of cyber risk management from simply preventing attacks to navigating a minefield of data regulations. The pressure on PE spans investment, operations, and exits
China rolls out guidelines for offshore IPOs
China has sought to facilitate overseas IPOs by local companies through the introduction of a new regulatory regime to guide the process.
China Renaissance founder Fan Bao goes missing
China Renaissance has confirmed it is unable to contact Fan Bao, the group’s chairman, executive director, CEO, and controlling shareholder.
Singapore to top-up SME co-investment programme
Singapore has earmarked an additional SGD 150m (USD 112m) for a co-investment fund that will invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of efforts to help local companies scale and become globally competitive.
China plans rollout of registration-based IPOs to all exchanges
China has proposed expanding the registration-based IPO system, which is intended to offer listing candidates lighter-touch regulation and a smoother path to the bourse, to all domestic stock markets.
Australia's Potentia contests Nitro merger plan
Potentia Capital has appealed a decision by Australia’s Takeovers Panel not to intervene in a situation that has seen Nitro Software repeatedly rebuff acquisition proposals made by the private equity firm.
PAG's Shan emphasizes diversity, control in Asia private equity
Momentum has shifted towards geographically diversified pan-regional investors, control deals, and private markets following a decade dominated by China-centric funds, growth-stage technology plays, and public equities, Weijian Shan, chairman and CEO...
US regulator gets access to Chinese audits
The threat of delisting that has haunted Chinese companies that trade on US exchanges appears to have receded after the US regulators announced they had gained full access to the audits of these companies for the first time.
ESG: The case for convergence
With ISSB pursuing pre-eminence in sustainability-related financial disclosures and TCFD emerging as a preferred climate framework, investors and investees will have to get more serious about reporting
China investors plan to step up activity – AVCJ Forum
Investors told the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum that they are looking to accelerate their pace of investment in China next year despite economic and regulatory challenges.
Q&A: Northwestern University’s Tianhao Wu
Tianhao Wu, a managing director in the investment team at Northwestern University’s endowment, on adding new GP relationships, addressing China risk, and pursuing geographic diversification in Asia
Hong Kong vs Singapore: No zero-sum game
Pandemic-related restrictions have dented confidence in Hong Kong as a private equity hub, while Singapore is on a roll. But gains for one don’t necessarily translate into losses for the other
Investors endorse 'long Chinese' thesis - AVCJ webinar
The shift from “long China” to “long Chinese,” which has gained traction as a soundbite as investors look to back local entrepreneurs in overseas markets, was highlighted once again during AVCJ’s China Private Markets Outlook webinar.
Q&A: China Creation Ventures’ Wei Zhou
Wei Zhou, founder of China Creation Ventures (CCV), on why local GPs are targeting Southeast Asia, working with Chinese entrepreneurs overseas, and the prospects for renminbi and US dollar funds