Australasia
Anacacia reaches Fund II final close
Anacacia has reached a final close on its second fund, Anacacia Fund II, at a hard-cap of A$150 million. The fund, which was first launched in July last year with a target of A$50-100 million ($44-89 million), reached its first close of A$80 million within...
Archer cuts fees on buyout fund – report
Archer Capital has reportedly lowered the management fee on its A$1.5 billion ($1.34 billion) fifth fund by 20%.
Australia's IRESS acquires LDC-backed software firm Avelo
Australian software company IRESS is to acquire UK tech firm Avelo Financial Services Holdings from a private equity consortium including Lloyds TSB Development Capital (LTDC) for GBP210 million ($321 million)
Australia’s RecruitLoop secures seed funding
Australian recruitment marketplace RecruitLoop (RL) has raised $500,000 from Russian firm The Untitled VC, Microsoft executive Todd Forest and a Middle East-based recruiter to fund its expansion in the US.
Clearlake backs Futuris to buck downturn
The A$200 million ($178 million) state bailout for Australia's auto industry comes after years of decline in manufacturing. Industry production numbers are the lowest since 1957. Toyota and General Motors (GM) have scaled back production amid export pressure...
Australia's Hastings buys Phoenix Energy from Terra Firma
Australian infrastructure investor Hasting Funds Management has acquired 100% of Northern Irish gas distribution company Phoenix Natural Gas from Terra Firma. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Clearlake Capital buys Australia-based auto interiors firm
Clearlake Capital Group, the Los Angeles-headquartered PE firm, has made its first investment in Australia, buying Elders’ automotive business for A$69 million ($62 million), including debt. The divestment allows Elders to become a pure-play rural and...
King & Wood Mallesons merges with SJ Berwin
King & Wood Mallesons and London-based SJ Berwin will merge to form a single law firm valued at $1 billion. With over 2,700 lawyers in more than 30 countries, the combined entity is expected to be one of the 25 largest law firms in the world.
Australia’s Gresham Private Equity to lose co-head
Mark Yoens, joint head of Australian GP Gresham Private Equity, is leaving the firm in September. Mark Rimmer will continue as sole head of the team.
Australia mining: Swings and roundabouts
The end of the commodities super-cycle in Australia has impacted both mining companies and the businesses that serves them. Private equity can benefit, but only if it digs deep
PE-backed OzForex considers IPO - report
OzForex, an Australian online foreign exchange platform backed by The Carlyle Group, Accel Partners and Macquarie Group, is said to be considering an IPO that could raise around A$500 million ($643 million).
China Molybdenum beats strategics, PE to Rio Tinto copper mine stake
China Molybdenum (CMOC) has fought off competition from PE and strategic investors to acquire an 80% stake in Rio Tinto's Northparkes copper mine in Australia for $820 million.
Revolution Growth invests $40m in Australia's Bigcommerce
US venture capital firm Revolution Growth has invested $40 million in Australian tech start-up Bigcommerce. The company sells e-commerce software for online retailers covering website design, store management, marketing and electronic payments.
Artesian Ventures, University of Queensland to launch start-up fund
Artesian Capital Management, an alternative investment arm spun out of ANZ Banking Group, has partnered with University of Queensland to create a A$1.5 million ($1.4 million) Accelerate Investment Fund. The vehicle will invest in graduates from the university’s...
Standard Chartered, IL&FS-backed Ramky Enviro in Australian acquisition
Ramky Enviro Engineers (REEL), an Indian waste management company backed by Standard Chartered and IL&FS Investment Managers, has agreed to acquire Australian environmental engineering and petrochemical services provider Enviropacific Services .
Australian regulator declines PE request to delay Billabong deal
The Australian Government Takeover Panel - the country's takeover regulator - has declined a request from Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners to delay a A$395 million ($359 million) refinancing deal for surf-wear company Billabong International.
Australia's PushStart closes accelerator program
PushStart, an Australian firm that offers mentoring to early stage Australian tech startups, has shut down its accelerator program.
Billabong strikes $331m refinancing deal with Altamont, Blackstone
Australian surf wear company Billabong has a reached an agreement with US private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners and Blackstone Group's credit arm GSO Partners for a A$395 million ($331 million) refinancing package.
Blue Sky invests $18m in Australian retirement home chain
Blue Sky Private Equity (BSPE) has invested more than A$20 million (US$18.3 million) for around 40% of retirement community operator and developer Oak Tree Group.
Riverside buys controlling stake in NZ animal drug delivery group
Riverside has acquired a controlling interest in Hamilton-based animal drug delivery company Simcro for a undisclosed sum.
Investors commit another $26m to Australia fashion site The Iconic
Australian fashion online retailer The Iconic has picked up A$28 million ($26 million) through a new round of funding led by Verlinvest, a Belgium-based investment firm set up by the founding families of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Existing shareholders Investment...
CPPIB, Goodman inject another $500m into China logistics venture
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Australian property and logistics firm Goodman Group have increased the equity commitment to their China joint venture, putting in another $500 million. A contribution of the same size was made last August,...
Australia’s Next Capital buys Scottish Pacific from Lazard
Next Capital completed the acquisition of Australian debt finance company Scottish Pacific from Lazard Australia Private Equity. The transaction value wasn’t disclosed but local media reports put it at around A$90 million ($82.6 million).
Navis exits Australian oil and gas services provider
Navis Capital Partners has exited Callidus Process Solutions, an Australian industry valve maintenance specialist serving mining and oil and gas sites, to Pon Holdings Australia (PHA).