Australasia
Australia's Future Fund contiues to ramp up PE exposure
Australia’s Future Fund continues to boost its exposure to private equity, with 10.8% of its assets – or A$12.6 billion ($8.8 billion) – deployed in the asset class as of June 2015. This follows an increase from 7.7% to 9.5% over the course of 2014.
Riverside's NZ animal health business completes bolt-on
Simcro, a New Zealand-based animal drug delivery firm controlled by the Riverside Company, has completed two bolt-on acquisitions.
PEP completes exit from Australia-listed Spotless
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has completed its exit from Australian cleaning and catering contractor Spotless Group – which it privatized in 2012 and re-listed last year – through a A$374.3 million ($268.6 million) block trade.
CGN PE, Morrison & Co in first close on China renewables fund
JIDA Capital Partners, an investment arm of New Zealand’s HRL Morrison & Co, and Shenzhen-based CGN Private Equity have reached a first close of RMB1.87 billion ($292 million) on their China-focused renewable energy fund.
Australia’s Anchorage agrees $150m Affinity Education deal
Anchorage Capital Partners has agreed to buy Affinity Education for A$208.3 million ($150 million) after the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company spurned a rival offer from G8 Education.
TPG’s Ben Gray to start his own PE firm
Ben Gray, managing partner at TPG Capital, is preparing to set up his own private equity firm focused on investment opportunities in Australia.
Australia’s QIC in $735m first close on global infrastructure fund
QIC, an investment manager controlled by the Queensland government, has reached a first close of more than A$1 billion ($735 million) on its global infrastructure fund. The overall target is A$1.75 billion.
Riverside invests in Australia’s IPAR Rehabilitation
The Riverside Company has acquired in IPAR Rehabilitation, an Australia-based provider of injury prevention and management and rehabilitation services that minimize the impact of workplace injury and illness.
Australia's Autopilot raises $7m round
US cloud computing firm Salesforce has a led $7 million round for Australian marketing platform Autopilot, alongside Stage1 Capital. Existing investors include Rembrandt Venture Partners, Blackbird Ventures, Southern Cross Venture Partners, Garnett Ventures...
Australia's NAB to invest $36m in fintech start-ups
National Australia Bank (NAB) will set up a A$50 million ($36 million) fund to invest in start-ups that help enhance its financial services product offerings.
New Zealand’s Booktrack receives $5m Series B round
Booktrack, a New Zealand-based company that provides movie-style soundtracks and ambient audio for eBooks, has raised $5 million in Series B funding led by Coent Venture Partners and Sparkbox Ventures.
Costa slips below IPO price after $401m Australia offering
Costa Group, an Australia-based fresh fruit and vegetables producer controlled by Paine & Partners, is trading below its IPO price following a $550 million ($401 million) offering.
Allegro buys controlling stake in New Zealand’s Carpet Court
Australasia distress specialist Allegro Funds has announced the third investment from its second fund with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Carpet Court, a New Zealand-based flooring retailer.
Australia’s Heron Resources gets backing from Greenstone
Mining and metals investor Greenstone Resources has committed up to A$20 million ($14.6 million) to Heron Resources, an Australia-listed company currently developing a zinc-copper project in New South Wales.
Australia's PEP to sell Energy Developments for $1.4b
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to sell Energy Developments, an Australia-based provider of distributed power to the mining industry, to utilities business Duet Group for an enterprise valuation of A$1.92 billion ($1.4 billion).
Australia's tech founder launches $37m VC fund
Victor Jiang, the founder of Australian professional services platform Skillsapien, is seeking to raise A$50 million ($37 million) for his new Sapien Ventures fund.
Australia's PE-backed Nintex acquires US-based Drawloop
Nintex Group, an Australian software provider backed by TA Associates, has agreed to acquire Drawloop Technologies, a US-based software platform that offers automated document services.
Q&A: Allegro Funds' Chester Moynihan
Australia’s Allegro Funds has been dealing in distress for 10 years – as advisor, replacement GP and now manager of its own fund. Founding partner Chester Moynihan explains how the firm’s approach has evolved
Ex-Telstra Super PE executive turns agribusiness investor
Robert Talevski, previously head of private markets portfolio manager at Telstra Super, has set up an investment firm that will source and execute deals in Australian agribusiness, taking advantage of strong cross-border demand for exposure to the space.
Australia's PE-owned GenesisCare to buy Cancer Partners UK
Australian cancer and cardiovascular treatment provider GenesisCare, which is owned by KKR, has bought cancer center manager Cancer Partners UK from its private equity backer, Apposite Capital.
Novartis buys VC-backed Australian drug developer Spinifex
Australian life sciences specialists Brandon Capital Partners and GBS Ventures will exit local drug developer Spinifex Pharmaceuticals after Novartis agreed to buy the business for $200 million in cash plus unspecified earn-outs.
CHAMP PE to invest in Australian mining supplier Bradken
CHAMP Private Equity and Chilean conglomerate Sigdo Koppers have agreed to invest A$70 million ($54 million) in struggling Australian mining industry supplier Bradken. A merger of Bradken and Sigdo Koppers subsidiary Magotteaux Group is also under consideration.
Investors commit $347m to Australian wind farm
Partners Group has led a A$450 million ($347 million) investment in Australia's Ararat Wind Farm project, alongside General Electric (GE), Renewable Energy Systems (RES), and Canadian pension fund OPTrust.
Allegro closes Australia distress fund at $139m
Australian turnaround specialist Allegro Funds has closed its second vehicle at A$180 million ($139 million) and expects to see plenty of deal flow from domestic banks seeking alternative solutions to pushing distressed companies into insolvency.