Australasia
L Catterton-owned Seafolly makes South America bolt-on
L Catterton Asia, the Asia arm of global consumer-focused GP L Catterton, has purchased Colombian beachwear brand Maaji in a bolt-on acquisition for its Australian swimwear brand Seafolly.
Sequoia India leads Series C for Australia's HealthEngine
Sequoia Capital India has made its debut investment in an Australia-based start-up, leading a A$26.7 million ($20.2 million) Series C round of funding for HealthEngine, an online healthcare marketplace.
PEP, CHAMP win approval for New Zealand acquisitions
Pacific Equity Partners’ (PEP) acquisition of food supplier Leader Products and CHAMP Private Equity’s purchase of several shipping and freight assets have won regulatory approval in New Zealand.
HgCapital invests $25m in New Zealand's Gentrack
HgCapital has agreed to invest NZ35.5 million ($25 million) in New Zealand industrial software specialist Gentrack to support an acquisition and expansion process in the UK.
Fund focus: Square Peg goes formal with $180 fund
In response to rising LP demand, Square Peg Capital left its deal-by-deal days behind and raised a formal VC fund. The firm is targeting start-ups in Australia, Southeast Asia and Israel
Australia's Vantage achieves first close on fund-of-funds
Vantage Asset Management has reached a first close of A$20 million ($15.2 million) on its third Australia-focused fund-of-funds. The vehicle, which launched in February 2016, has an overall target of A$100 million.
Riverside promotes Steven Spiteri to partner in Australia
The Riverside Company has appointed a second partner in six months in Australia, with the promotion of Steven Spiteri, who has been with the firm since 2010.
Fund focus: Pioneer sees PE come of age in New Zealand
Pioneer Capital sees the closing of its third fund at the hard cap of $180 million as confirmation that private equity in New Zealand has become more mainstream
Italian PE unit backs Morrow Sodali's purchase of Australia's GPS
GPS, an Australia-based shareholder services and corporate governance consultancy, has been acquired by global counterpart Morrow Sodali in a deal supported by Italian government-controlled PE investment unit Simest.
VCs invest $75m in US-New Zealand aerospace player
US venture capital firms Data Collective and Promus Ventures have joined a number of existing investors in a $75 million Series D funding round for US and New Zealand-based aerospace company Rocket Lab.
Deal focus: TPG makes surprise trade sale
Secrecy was paramount as TPG Capital abandoned plans to list Australia's Alinta Energy in favor of negotiating a $3.1 billion trade sale to Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises
Australia's Square Peg raises $180m for debut VC fund
Square Peg Capital, an Australian venture capital firm set up by Paul Bassat, co-founder of job listings site Seek, has closed its debut fund at A$234 million ($180 million), exceeding the A$200 million target.
500 Startups opens Australia office
US-based early-stage investor 500 Startups has agreed to establish its Australian headquarters in Melbourne after receiving financial support from the state government of Victoria.
Australian seed investor launches $50m global fund
Australia-based VC investor Followtheseed has launched a $50 million fund to invest in global early-stage start-ups.
Australia's SproutX closes $8m agritech fund
SproutX, an Australian accelerator focused on agricultural technology, has raised A$10 million ($7.7 million) for a venture capital fund. Artesian Venture Partners will act as investment manager.
Chow Tai Fook to buy Australia's Alinta from TPG
Hong Kong's Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) has agreed to buy Australian power utility Alinta Energy, providing an exit for TPG Capital.
Australia launches incubator in Singapore
The Australian government has launched a start-up incubation program in Singapore that will focus on emerging industries, including services, and support new export market opportunities.
Platinum to buy Staples' Australia, New Zealand business
US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity has agreed to buy the Australia and New Zealand businesses of business products supplier Staples.
Pioneer hits $180m hard cap on third New Zealand fund
New Zealand’s Pioneer Capital has hit the hard cap of NZ$260 million ($180 million) on its third growth fund, beating the target of NZ$210 million. It follows the first investment from the new vehicle in Havelock North Fruit.
Denham platform to assume control of Australia-listed miner
Denham Capital has agreed to take full ownership of Cradle Resources, an Australia-listed mining company that holds a 50% interest in a niobium deposit in Tanzania, at a valuation of A$55 million ($41.6 million).
Australia to streamline foreign investment approvals
The Australian government has proposed an amendment to foreign investment rules introduced in late 2015 that require some private equity firms to obtain regulatory approval when making a buyout.
Australia's Uniseed secures $15m for VC fund
Uniseed, a venture fund manager associated with the Australian government’s CSIRO research unit and a number of domestic universities, has secured A$20 million ($15.2 million) in fresh commitments for a new follow-on fund.
Australia's QIC closes global infrastructure fund at $1.8b
QIC, an investment manager controlled by the Queensland state government, has closed its global infrastructure fund at the hard cap of A$2.3 billion ($1.8 billion), beating the A$1.7 billion target.
Industry players warn of conflicts in evolving GP-LP relationship - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors globally are looking to reduce the number of GPs in their portfolios with a view to writing bigger checks for – and having deeper relationships with – a smaller number of managers, but this lack of diversification in the LP base...