Australasia
AVCJ at 30: Part Four - Buyouts Across the Region
Joseph Skrzynski of CHAMP Private Equity, Peter Wiggs of Archer Capital, Tim Sims of Pacific Equity Partners, and Richard Folsom of Advantage Partners on the development of buyouts in Australia and Japan
NZ Super appoints head of external investments
New Zealand Superannuation Fund has named Del Hart as head of external investments and partnerships.
Riverside exits Australia's Learning Seat
The Riverside Company has sold Learning Seat, an Australia-based online compliance training specialist, to NASDAQ-listed marketing services provider Callidus Software for $26.4 million in cash.
Livingbridge completes debut Australia deal
UK-based GP Livingbridge has made its debut investment in Australia with a commitment of undisclosed size to project management consulting company TSA Management.
PE-backed Billabong gets $150m buyout offer
Australian surfwear brand Billabong International has received a A$198 million ($150 million) non-binding buyout offer from Boardriders, owner of the Quiksilver brand. Both companies are backed by Oaktree Capital Management.
Australia's IFM opens Korea office
IFM Investors, an investment manager owned by 28 Australian superannuation funds, has opened an office in Seoul to service clients in South Korea.
KKR makes seven senior-level promotions in Asia - update
Diane Raposio, who leads KKR’s fundraising activities in Asia, and Jaka Prasetya, the firm’s Indonesia head, have both been promoted to partner level.
Australia’s Anchorage closes special situations fund at $266m
Anchorage Capital Partners has closed its third fund, which will make special situations and turnaround investments in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, at A$350 million ($266 million).
Tanarra raises $217m for Asia Pacific credit fund
Australia-based Tanarra Credit Partners has raised A$285 million ($217 million) for a fund that will invest in senior and mezzanine loans across the Asia Pacific region. It is targeting a final close of up to A$500 million during the first half of 2018.
Archer sells Australia's Aerocare to Swissport
Archer Capital has agreed to sell Aerocare, an Australia-based aviation ground handling operator it bought from Next Capital in 2014, to global market leader Swissport for an undisclosed sum.
Australia tech: Firmer footing
GPs see increasing potential for later-stage investment in the Australian technology sector as early commercial successes and government encouragement help reshape the national psyche
Quadrant's family entertainment platform makes debut acquisition
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has purchased amusement arcade operator Timezone Group as the first part of a buy-and-build strategy in the family and children’s entertainment market.
Private debt: Feet on the ground
Investors see growing opportunity in Asian credit, but the region has proven difficult for foreign managers to address. Local expertise, particularly in emerging markets, can unlock the best returns
Pencarrow exits New Zealand's Icebreaker to US trade buyer
New Zealand’s Pencarrow Private Equity has agreed to sell its entire stake in Icebreaker, a domestic clothing brand that specializes in outdoor winter apparel, to US-listed competitor VF Corporation.
Australia backs four healthcare tech start-ups in VC push
The CSIRO Innovation Fund, a venture program under the Australian government’s latest science development policy push, has invested in its first four local technology start-ups.
NZ Super loses head of external investments
Fiona Mackenzie (pictured), the head of external investments and partnerships at New Zealand Superannuation Fund, is leaving to join First NZ Capital (FNZC).
GIP to buy Equis renewable energy portfolio for $5b
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Equis Energy, a project platform of 180 assets under private equity investor Equis Funds Group, for $5 billion. It is said to be the world’s largest renewable energy generation acquisition...
Asian consortium to buy Australia's Real Pet Food from Quadrant
Hosen Capital, New Hope Group and Temasek Holdings have agreed to buy Australia-based Real Pet Food – a leading global producer of fresh chilled pet food – from Quadrant Private Equity at a valuation of A$1 billion ($773 million)
Ex-Pamplona partner joins KKR in Australia
KKR has appointed David Lang (pictured), previously a partner and founding member at Pamplona Capital Management, as a partner-level executive in its Sydney office. He will start work in early 2018.
PE-backed NZ cricket platform goes into receivership
CricHQ, a cricket-focused online platform based in New Zealand and backed by Singapore-based Tembusu Partners, has been placed in receivership.
Growth Fund completes exit from Australian motorcycle dealership
The Growth Fund has sold the remainder of its stake in Australian motorcycle dealership operator MotorCycle Holdings – which it took public last year – for approximately A$18.5 million ($14.5 million).
ROC Partners backs $118m Australian SME fund
Australian private equity firm ROC Partners has teamed up with the state government of New South Wales and pension fund First State Super to launch a A$150 million ($118 million) equity fund targeting small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
China-Australia: Communication breakdown
A couple of high-profile rejections of Chinese deals overshadow the fact that most foreign investments in the country receive approval. Prospective buyers are advised to engage with interested parties from the outset
Australia's Airtasker receives $25.7m Series C
Airtasker, an Australian peer-to-peer jobs and services marketplace operator, has raised a A$33 million ($25.7 million) funding round led by Skyfield Capital.