Regulation
China unicorn total surpasses 160
China had 164 unicorns worth a collective $628.4 billion at the end of last year, a government report stated, as the prospect of A-share listings by domestic internet companies was once again raised.
China tightens controls on LP participation in offshore funds
China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has implemented rules that effectively add another layer of approval for LP commitments by domestic investors to offshore private equity funds.
Hong Kong IPOs: Open season
Hong Kong is proposing to loosen its listing requirements - with a view to attracting Chinese technology IPOs - in a measured way. However, changes of such significance are rarely implemented smoothly
CSRC eases rules for VC firms to exit start-ups
Shares held by venture capital investors will be subject to a shorter lock-up period after their portfolio companies list on Chinese stock exchanges in a move designed to encourage long-term investment.
Augentius appoints new Asia head
Fund administrator Augentius has appointed Jimmy Leong as managing director for Asia following the departure of Alexander Traub to Alter Domus.
Demonetization drives surge in Indian fintech investment
India’s demonetization policy has been the principal driver for a surge in financial technology investment in the country, according to research by Accenture and CB Insights.
Chinese fund abandons Xcerra deal, cites CFIUS problems
Sino IC Capital, a technology-focused PE fund manager backed by the Chinese government, has become the latest investor to fall foul of US regulators following the termination of its acquisition of semiconductor and electronics manufacturer Xcerra.
Australia distress: The luxury of time
Two pieces of legislation – one enacted and the other pending – are expected to facilitate corporate restructuring in Australia. It remains to be seen how turnaround investors take advantage of this
Warburg Pincus abandons Tata Technologies investment
Warburg Pincus has called off a planned $360 million investment in Tata Technologies, the engineering outsourcing and product development IT services arm of Indian conglomerate Tata Group.
India budget promotes start-ups, but leaves GPs waiting
India’s latest Union Budget promises strong support for domestic entrepreneurs and venture capital investors, but provides few specific measures to benefit the private equity industry.
China insurance and PE: Get real
The asset management units of Chinese insurance companies can no longer launch debt-like products masquerading as private equity, amid concerns about rising corporate and local government debt burdens
Chinese banks to launch debt-for-equity swap funds
Chinese banks will be allowed to raise capital from third-party investors to participate in debt-for-equity swap programs as regulators look for additional ways to alleviate the country’s corporate debt problem.
China fintech: Follow the consumer
A crackdown on cash loans has undermined investor confidence in China’s fast-growing online consumer-lending market. However, VC players are confident that start-ups can find other angles
Korean political crises present PE opportunities
A turbulent 2017 for South Korea in both domestic and international politics has complicated private equity agendas across a number of sectors, but GPs are tracking some positive aftereffects.
India removes limits on foreign investment in retail
India has broadened its regulations on foreign direct investment (FDI), permitting unconditional 100% FDI in sectors including single-brand retail trading (SBRT).
China’s Hony Capital to set up mutual fund unit
Hony Capital is poised to become the latest Chinese private equity firm to enter the mutual fund business.
Chinese insurers barred from using PE to spur government borrowing
Chinese insurers have been banned from using their private equity units to lend capital to projects backed by local governments for fear that this will inflate already sizeable debt burdens and raise financing costs in the real economy.
China's Ant Financial abandons MoneyGram acquisition
Alibaba Group’s Ant Financial has abandoned its $1.2 billion acquisition of private equity-backed MoneyGram after failing to receive clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).
ESG: Quantifiable benefits
Finding ways to implement environment, social and governance (ESG) policies and track performance with greater consistency has become a priority for some – but by no means all – Asian GPs
Taiwan's local PE industry requires careful cultivation - AVCJ Forum
Investors are encouraged by initiatives Taiwan’s government has launched to develop the local private equity market, but they told the AVCJ Taiwan Forum that areas such as team-building and deal availability to build a sustainable industry.
Chinese GP accused of misusing SF Express project fund
Longstand Capital, a Chinese PE fund manager, has accused industry counterpart Beijing Dabai Huicai Investment Management of taking capital intended for investment in SF Express, China’s largest express delivery services provider, and putting it into...
India NBFCs: The next level
India’s NBFCs remain an attractive entry to an underserved finance market, but the growing maturity of the segment means returns may be more modest going forward
Indian regulator reviews SoftBank’s Flipkart investment
SoftBank Group’s investment in Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, which is expected to facilitate an exit for several existing investors, is being reviewed by the country's competition regulator.
India energy: Power trip
A sudden shake-up in the economics of India’s energy sector has piqued investor appetite to the point of indigestion. As the market settles, a long-term growth story appears set to support a range of industries
