Australasia

Australian's Verde targets $52m VC fund

Australian venture capital firm Verde is seeking to raise A$50 million ($52 million) for a fund that will focus on bringing technology to market. It will concentrate on innovations in the medical, defense and technology sectors.

Ten Network, CHAMP Private Equity agree Eye Corp sale

CHAMP Private Equity’s portfolio company oOh!media has agreed to pay A$113 million ($117 million) for Eye Corp, Ten Network Holdings’ outdoor advertising business. Last week it downsized its original offer of A$145 million to A$110 million.

CHAMP PE completes lighting take-private

Take-private deals are a challenge in Australia. Conflict creates headlines, but the country appears to see its fair share of majority shareholders falling out with prospective private equity investors despite the fact that share prices have turned against...

Anacacia agrees to sell Rafferty's to H.J. Heinz

Anacacia Capital has agreed to sell baby-food producer Rafferty’s Garden to H.J. Heinz, prompting a review by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCA). There is sufficient crossover between the two companies’ businesses that the commission...

CPPIB acquires interests in two Australian shopping malls

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has acquired interests in two Australian shopping centers through a A$436 million ($450 million) investment in AMP Capital Retail Trust. CPPIB now has a 37% stake in the trust, which in turn owns 50% of Macquarie...

Australia’s RMB invests in card producer Placard

RMB Capital Partners, an Australian mid-market private equity firm backed by South Africa's FirstRand, has led an investment in Placard, a Melbourne-based producer of secure transaction cards. It is partnering with the existing owner and management team,...

CHAMP PE completes Gerard Lighting take-private

CHAMP Private Equity has completed the A$186 million ($192 million) buyout of Australian light fittings distributor Gerard Lighting Group. The company will de-list from the Australian Stock Exchange at the close of today’s trading, just over two years...

Champ PE makes lower offer for Eye Corp

CHAMP Private Equity’s portfolio company oOh!media has made a revised offer of A$110 million ($114 million) for Eye Corp, Ten Network Holdings’ outdoor advertising business.

CHAMP Ventures enters lonely waters

The Torres Strait separates the northern tip of Queensland from Papua New Guinea. It contains more than 270 small islands, most falling under the jurisdiction of Australia, and of which only a handful are inhabited. Cairns, the nearest urban center, is...

CHAMP Ventures in marine logistics buyout

CHAMP Ventures as acquired a majority interest in Sea Swift, an Australian marine logistics company that delivers supplies to remote island and coastal communities and resource development outposts. HarbourVest Partners is participating as a co-investor.

CHAMP PE-backed oOh!media walks away from Eye Corp buyout

CHAMP Private Equity’s oOh!media portfolio company has decided not to proceed with its buyout of Eye Corp, Ten Network Holdings’ outdoor advertising business. This comes despite Ten’s denial earlier this week that the acquisition price would be...

New Zealand, Taiwan ink $200m co-investment pact

New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) and Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) have formed a co-investment partnership which aims to commit up to $200 million into venture capital funds in the two nations.

Australia’s Kaz Capital to launch venture fund

Australian boutique financial advisor Kaz Capital is planning a venture fund that will support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in need of expansion capital. The company claims to have received conditional regulatory approval to establish an...

Ten Network denies concerns over Eye sale to CHAMP

Ten Network has denied reports that proceeds from the sale of its Eye Corp subsidiary to CHAMP Private Equity’s oOh!media will be lower than expected due to concerns about the outdoor advertising business’ financial performance.