Australasia
Australian regulator flags concerns about Brookfield's Asciano deal
Australia’s competition regulator has raised concerns about Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management’s A$8.9 billion ($6.5 billion) cash-and-stock acquisition of listed rail freight and cargo port operator Asciano.
Australian pub owner rebuffs takeover bid
ALE Property Group, owner of Australia’s largest portfolio of freehold pub properties, has rejected a takeover bid from private investment firm Caledonia that values the business at approximately A$770 million ($564 million).
Australian LPs and domestic VC: Toe in the water
Australian super funds are showing renewed interests in domestic venture capital, supporting firms that offer flexible structures with co-investment opportunities. Can this approach work for all GPs?
Cardno board rejects takeover bid from Australia's Crescent
The board of Australian engineering company Cardno has advised shareholders to reject a buyout offer from Crescent Capital Partners on the grounds that it is opportunistic and undervalues the business.
QIC leads $1.3b purchase of Australian gas storage facility
QIC Global Infrastructure Fund has led a consortium to purchase the Iona Gas Storage Facility in Australia for A$1.78 billion ($1.3 billion).
Australian design platform Canva raises $15m in Series A
Canva, an Australian online design platform, has raised $15 million in a Series A round of funding led by Felicis Ventures alongside existing investors Blackbird Ventures and Matrix Partners.
CHAMP PE sells Australia's Alleasing to Monash
CHAMP Private Equity has sold Alleasing, an Australia-based leasing business, to Monash Private Capital in a deal said to be worth A$190 million ($135 million).
PEP-owned Link Group seeks up to $665m in Australia offering
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) portfolio company Link Group is looking to raise as much as A$946.5 million ($665 million) in an IPO on the Australian bourse.
Portfolio: LanzaTech and its VC network
New Zealand-based LanzaTech decided to monetize its anti-pollution technology by recruiting investors in target geographies. Local regulations remain a challenge, but the company is now beginning to scale
Deal focus: Allegro secures smooth TSC exit
Australia's Allegro nets a 2.4x return as Engie moves early for industrial services provider TSC Group
Fund focus: Super funds flock to Blackbird
First State Super and HOSTPLUS join the LP roster for Blackbird Ventures' latest tech fund
EMR Capital to buy Australian copper mine
EMR Capital has agreed to buy Australia's Mt. Gordon copper mine from its current owner, India's Aditya Birla Minerals, for A$15 million ($10.8 million).
Australia’s PEP closes Fund V at A$2.1b
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has closed its fifth Australia and New Zealand-focused fund at the hard cap of A$2.1 billion ($1.5 billion). The vehicle came in oversubscribed as LP interest grew following a string of exits by the GP over the past 18 months.
Allegro fully exits Australia's TSC Group to Engie
Allegro Funds has exited its majority stake in Australia-based industrial services provider TSC Group to multinational energy player Engie.
PEP buys New Zealand-based Academic Colleges Group
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to buy Academic Colleges Group (ACG), New Zealand’s largest private provider of school education, university foundation studies and tertiary training programs.
Anchorage wins rival's backing for buyout of Australia's Affinity
Anchorage Capital Partners has won the support of rival bidder G8 Education for its acquisition of Australian childcare business Affinity Education after submitting an improved offer.
Super funds support Blackbird's $143m Australia VC vehicle
Australia-based venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures has raised A$200 million ($143 million) for its second fund, winning support from local superannuation funds First State Super and HOSTPLUS.
Crescent submits takeover bid for Australia's Cardno
Crescent Capital Partners has submitted a takeover offer for Cardno, a listed Australian engineering company that focuses on developing physical and social infrastructure projects.
PEP buys New Zealand's Manuka Health, Waterman exits
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has acquired health foods business Manuka Health New Zealand for an undisclosed sum. The deal facilitates an exit for New Zealand-based GP Waterman Capital.
Oaktree supports bankrupt Australian surfwear brand Quiksilver
Oaktree Capital Management will contribute to a $175 million restructuring package for Australian surfwear brand Quiksilver, which has voluntarily taken its US business into bankruptcy.
Australia's Blue Sky buys stake in Origo Education
Australia-based Blue Sky Private Equity has acquired a significant minority stake in Origo Education, a mathematics tuition provider for primary school students.
CHAMP PE to make partial exit from Accolade Wines
Australia-based CHAMP Private Equity is set for a partial exit from Accolade Wines after agreeing to sell its 50% stake in UK-based drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark to Conviviality Retail, owner of a franchised off-license chain in the UK.
CHAMP PE, Sigdo Koppers pull plug on Bradken deal
CHAMP Private Equity and Chilean conglomerate Sigdo Koppers have abandoned merger discussions with struggling Australian mining industry supplier Bradken.
Australian SME lender Prospa raises $41m
Prospa, an online platform that focuses on lending to Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has raised A$60 million ($41 million) in a funding from a string of private equity firms.