Australasia
Family offices want flexible solutions from PE - AVCJ Forum
Australian family offices and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) represent a huge potential source of capital for private equity, but GPs must be flexible in terms of the products they offer.
New GPs will not shake Australia PE market dynamic - AVCJ Forum
The Australian private equity market has seen the emergence of a number of new GPs – including several spin-outs – but incumbent managers told the AVCJ Australia & New Zealand Forum that they do not expect much change in the competitive landscape.
Fund focus: Into the white space
The arrival of Odyssey Private Equity – a collaborative effort by former executives from two of Australia’s best known GPs – once again draws attention to the hole in Australia’s lower middle market
IFM invests Australian fashion retailer
IFM Investors’ private equity arm has acquired a significant minority stake in Colette By Colette Hayman, an Australian retailer of handbags and fashion accessories.
Australia's Hostplus commits $65m to seed investor Artesian
Australian superannuation fund Hostplus has committed A$85 million ($65 million) to local seed investor Artesian, taking the venture capital firm’s funds under management to more than A$150 million.
US online lender SoFi raises $500m to expand in Australia
US online lender and financial services company SoFi has secured a $500 million Series F funding round led by Silver Lake for an expansion effort into Australia.
Bain makes partial exit from Australia's MYOB
Bain Capital Private Equity has made a partial exit from Australian accounting software developer MYOB, reducing its holding from 56.25% to approximately 39.1%.
Soft middle: Australia's underserved lower middle market
Fewer GPs are targeting Australia's lower middle market as a result of increasing fund sizes and the difficulties local LPs have writing small-ticket checks. The arrival of new PE firms is encouraging, but they aren't necessarily positioned to fill this...
Cost conundrum: Super funds, fees and private equity
Australian regulators want greater consistency in how superannuation funds report costs and fees to members. While sound in principle, the draft measure is problematic in practice, especially for private equity
AirTree leads $19m investment in Australia's Prospa
AirTree Ventures has led a A$25 million ($19.2 million) investment in Australian financial technology company Prospa.
Australia mining: Desert stirrings
A stronger commodity price environment has spurred some opportunistic private equity investment in Australian mining services, but caution remains the mantra in this industry of capricious value drivers
Australia aged care: The golden years
Australia’s aged care segment continues to appeal to private equity investors. But GPs must be wary of the challenges posed by the government’s unique stake in the market
Q&A: Adamantem Capital's Anthony Kerwick & Rob Koczkar
After more than 25 years between them at Pacific Equity Partners, Anthony Kerwick and Rob Koczkar departed in 2014 to pursue other opportunities. They have now joined forces as Adamantem Capital
The hybrids: GPs seek to work with Australian family offices
Australia’s lower middle market is rich in investment opportunities but underpenetrated by private equity. Local family offices are increasingly keen on participating, although in their own way
Ex-CHAMP Ventures, Quadrant executives raise $211m fund
Three former CHAMP Ventures executives have teamed up with George Penklis, a co-founder of Quadrant Private Equity, to raise a A$275 million ($211 million) Australia and New Zealand middle-market fund.
IAG launches fintech incubator in Singapore
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has agreed to establish a financial technology incubator in Singapore to focus on promoting start-ups targeting innovation in the insurance industry.
Bain credit unit buys Australia aged care business
Bain Capital Credit has agreed to buy Craigcare, a residential care provider and retirement village operator in Western Australia.
Private debt player Pricoa establishes a presence in Australia
Pricoa Capital Group, a private debt investment group under PGIM, Prudential Financial’s global asset management business, has established a team in Sydney to target middle market opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
Moelis leads Series B for Australia's Rokt
Rokt, an Australia-based start-up that provides digital marketing services to e-commerce companies, has received a $15 million Series B round of funding led by Moelis Australia Asset Management.
Asia value creation: Internal repairs
Private equity investors in Asia are responding to an increasingly competitive deal-sourcing environment with a stronger focus on value-add, but successful implementation will require a cultural commitment
Goldman Sachs, TPG back Asia data center player
Goldman Sachs and TPG Capital have led a A$400 million ($306 million) round of funding for AirTrunk, a Singapore-based data center provider that is currently developing facilities in Australia and has plans to expand region-wide.
NZ hologram tech player receives $27m Series B round
Time Warner Investments has led a group of investors, including China’s Baidu Ventures, in a $27 million Series B funding round for New Zealand-based holographic technology company 8i.
New Zealand's Direct Capital closes Fund V at $270m
New Zealand-based private equity investor Direct Capital has closed its fifth buyout and growth fund at NZ$375 million ($270 million).
Bain targets $750m for Asia special situations fund
Bain Capital Credit is targeting $750 million for an Asia-focused special situations fund to pursue direct lending, mezzanine debt and distressed asset opportunities across the region.