Regulation
China outbound: Organic options
Tough domestic competition is encouraging Chinese tech start-ups to expand overseas – often organically, earlier in their lifecycles than before, and despite regulatory concerns
Sequoia promises greater vigilence on governance in India, SE Asia
Sequoia Capital India has pledged a strong response to “wilful misconduct or fraud” in its portfolio following scandals at companies in India and Southeast Asia.
Investment becomes Tencent's main profit driver in 2021
Investment accounted for the bulk of Tencent Holdings' annual profit for the first time in 2021 as the Chinese technology giant saw earnings from its core business contract in the second half of the year.
US regulations: Coming to Asia
Newly proposed rules for private equity fundraising and reporting in the US are set to be applicable to any manager in Asia that raises US capital. Investors should be alert but not alarmed
BGH seeks regulatory action amid battle for Australia's Virtus
BGH Capital has asked Australia’s Takeovers Panel to intervene a second time in its pursuit of Virtus Health after the fertility care business resolved to engage with CapVest Partners and not entertain BGH’s improved offer.
China IPOs: Offshore angst
Private equity exit timelines were thrown into disarray last year when US IPOs abruptly stopped. Regulators have offered some clarity, but investors are unsure when – or if – the magic will return
Metaverse: Too concrete to ignore
As lives lived online find a virtual world to call home, investors, brands, governments, corporations, and accountants follow them in. Real estate, avatars, and new ideas are in demand. Goggles are not
PE consortium cuts 51job take-private offer by 28%
A private equity consortium pursuing a take-private of US-listed Chinese online recruitment platform 51job has cut its offer price by 28%, citing deteriorating market conditions, regulatory tightening in China, and the continuing impact of COVID-19.
Vertex, Tikehau lead Singapore SPAC charge
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) backed by Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH) and Tikehau Capital have filed for listings in Singapore.
China's SenseTime perseveres with IPO despite blacklisting
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology developer SenseTime has relaunched its IPO on the same terms, albeit excluding US investors, after being placed on another blacklist by the US government.
Hong Kong seeks compromise on local SPAC provisions
Hong Kong has compromised on several points of contention in its special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) guidelines, notably removing a requirement that investors can only redeem their shares post-merger if they vote against the deal.
2022 preview: ESG
Keeping tabs on sustainability credentials at the portfolio and company level will become more data-driven and collaborative. Eventually, getting results will require greater sacrifices
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
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.
SPAC regime reflects HK's cautious approach to expansion - AVCJ Forum
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) is positioning its soon-to-launch special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) regime as part of efforts to broaden its appeal in terms of capital markets tools and geographies. At the same time, executives are wary of...
China IPOs: The star still wanes
Proceeds from private equity-backed offerings on China’s Star Market are down 75% from their peak one year ago, reflecting ongoing regulatory interference and diminished investor confidence
Investors see China regulatory turbulence as short-term - AVCJ Forum
Regulatory uncertainty overshadowing China's technology sector is a temporary phenomenon, investors told the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum, while noting that targeting areas favored by the government remains a safe play.
Ascendent abandons China education take-private
A consortium led by Ascendent Capital Partners has abandoned its planned $230.6 million take-private of Tarena International, a China-based provider of adult professional and K-12 education services.
China regulation: Shock and awe
A raft of rules, largely targeting the technology sector, has challenged business cases and thwarted exits in China. It is also contributing to tweaks in investment strategy
North Asia IPOs: Welcome eruptions
A steady rhythm of small and mid-sized IPOs in North Asia is now being punctuated by globally noticeable events. Valuations are up, but Korean and Japanese investors are game
Southeast Asia IPOs: Opportunity knocks
A breakthrough offering in Indonesia and regulatory progress in Singapore highlight Southeast Asia’s growing viability as a tech IPO market. It’s unclear how well this is being communicated globally
Hong Kong IPOs: Winner by default
New York’s loss is expected to be Hong Kong’s gain as regulatory and political turbulence drives Chinese start-ups to look for alternative listing destinations – unless valuations become a sticking point
China e-commerce: Chaos in the community
With investor sentiment on China’s technology sector cooling, community group buying platforms are battling to conserve cash. This has done little for the government’s anti-monopoly drive
SPACs: Longer menu
As the US recovers from a glut in SPAC fundraising, Asian jurisdictions are launching their own regimes. Not every start-up is a good fit for New York. Is Singapore or Hong Kong a good fit for them?