North America
Norwest raises $2b for latest global VC fund
Norwest Venture Partners, a US-headquartered investor with a strong presence in India, has closed its latest global VC fund at $2 billion. It is the firm’s largest vehicle to date.
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Howard Marks
Howard Marks, co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, discusses populism, deficit, trade wars, the shift in focus from public to private markets, and why his default position is one of caution
Q&A: Teacher Retirement System of Texas' Eric Lang
Eric Lang, senior managing director of external private markets at Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), discusses co-investment, strategic partnerships, and Asian expansion plans
Philippines-based Xurpas acquires Wavemaker Partners
Philippines consumer technology developer Xurpas has agreed to acquire the US operations of venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners.
Q&A: TPG's Jon Winkelried
Jon Winkelried, co-CEO of TPG, on taking the helm at a founder-led firm, finding growth opportunities in complementary strategies, and negotiating a difficult year for the Rise Fund
China-US PE: Reverse princeling
When a US presidential candidate’s son with Chinese private equity connections stirs up accusations of impropriety, the questionable merits of princeling funds appear more muddled than ever
Deal focus: Cornell picks Lorom for Asia debut
Cornell Capital, a US-based mid-market buyout firm, is starting to realize its Asian ambitions with an investment in Taiwan-based industrial supplier Lorom Holding. Bolt-on expansions appear likely
Cornell Capital completes first Asian investment
US-based mid-market buyout firm Cornell Capital has made its first investment in Asia with a commitment to Taiwan-headquartered cable manufacturer Lorom Holding.
VC-backed Chinese AI companies hit by US blacklisting
Eight Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups have been blacklisted by the US government. Several have received PE and VC funding, including SenseTime and Megvii Technology.
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
Q&A: Oaktree Capital's Raj Makam
Raj Makam, co-portfolio manager for Oaktree Capital’s middle-market finance group, discusses the dangers that may await investors in the overheating US direct lending space
New Mountain Capital buys US-India BPO player
US private equity firm New Mountain Capital has agreed to acquire Emids, a US-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) provider with extensive operations in India, for an undisclosed sum.
Japan investors back US token player Securitize
Japanese investors are supporting efforts to bring token-based economic infrastructure to Japan with participation in a $14 million round for US-based digital securities technology player Securitize.
Deal focus: Russell Simmons backs Singapore's Gushcloud
Singapore-based Gushcloud International has teamed up with the founder of Def Jam Recordings to create a digital talent agency that realizes value for social media influencers in Asia and America
Q&A: Pomona Capital's Michael Granoff
Michael Granoff, founder and CEO of Pomona Capital, discusses raising capital from Asian LPs, how GPs can be differentiated in a crowded secondaries market, and why he’s not keen on fund restructurings
Deal focus: India AI player Uniphore eyes post-call center world
Fresh from raising a $51 million Series C round, Uniphore's founder argues that artificial intelligence will become as much about quality of engagement as back-end efficiency
China's Ping An joins $72m round for US AI player
China’s Ping An Insurance has co-led a $72.5 million Series D round alongside Goldman Sachs for US artificial intelligence (AI) developer H2O with a view to expanding its Asian operations.
Sovereign investors and technology: Smart nations
Conservative sovereign wealth investors are increasingly comfortable making direct commitments to venture-oriented technology companies. The strategy appears to suit them but remains to be validated
WeWork IPO reveals extent of global scaling risk
WeWork, a US co-working space provider pursuing an aggressive Asia expansion with the backing of several PE investors, revealed a number of risks associated with rapid global growth in a filing for its US IPO.
India, US-based speech AI player Uniphore raises $51m
Asian VCs have backed a $51 million Series C round for Uniphore, an India and US-based artificial intelligence (AI) developer focused on speech recognition.
Women on corporate boards: Finding a voice
Investor pressure and industry lobbying has contributed to a rise in female representation on corporate boards. While quotas work for some, they aren’t necessarily the silver bullet
Hong Kong’s AMTD trades up after US IPO
Shares in AMTD International, a PE-backed division of Hong Kong financial advisor AMTD Group, traded as much as 28% above initial pricing following a $174 million IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Carbon recycling specialist raises $72m Series E
Novo Holdings, a Danish venture and growth equity investor focused on life sciences, has provided $72 million in Series E funding to LanzaTech, a US carbon recycling specialist with a significant Asia presence.
Q&A: CalSTRS' Chris Ailman
Chris Ailman, CIO of California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), discusses why – and how – private equity managers should be placing greater emphasis on diversity
