North America
Formation 8 to raise Asia VC fund
US venture capital firm Formation 8 is looking to raise a $400 million Asia fund to connect start-ups in the region with Silicon Valley.
Indonesia's Soetantyo family buys Icicle Holdings from PE
A company owned by the Soetantyo family, which has extensive interests in Indonesia’s food sector, has agreed to buy North America-based Icicle Holdings from PE firm Paine & Partners.
Hamilton Lane raises $1.5b for global co-investment fund
Hamilton Lane has reached a final close of $1.5 billion for its third co-investment fund, exceeding the $1 billion target.
Fund focus: InnoSpring builds cross-border bridges
San Francisco's Artisan State faced the classic start-up dilemma: a great idea with no way to make it happen. The firm knew there was demand for professional-quality photo books at affordable prices, but it didn’t have the facilities to produce them....
KKR commits $70m to China education player Tarena
KKR has invested $70 million in Tarena International, a provider of professional education and training in China, forming a new partnership with a PE backer as existing investors trim their holdings.
Singapore's Temasek, CVC agree $2b deal for US generic drug firm
Singapore's Temasek Holdings is a member of a CVC Capital Partners-led consortium that has agreed to buy a controlling stake in US-based generic drug manufacturer Alvogen. The deal is said to value the company at $2 billion.
LPs assume control of Exhilway's emerging markets fund
LPs have assumed control of Exhilway Global Opportunities Fund - a vehicle set up by US-based hedge fund and emerging markets private equity GP Exhilway Global - apparently following difficulty sourcing deals.
US-China incubator raises $5m for second seed fund
InnoSpring, a technology incubator platform focused on US and China-based companies, has raised $5 million for its second fund aimed at seed-stage investments.
MC-Seamax closes maiden shipping fund at $300m
MC-Seamax Managagement, the US-based GP backed by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, has reached a $300 million close on its maiden fund intended to take advantage of depressed prices in the global shipping industry.
Australia's MLC to open US office
MLC Private Equity, which is part of National Australia Bank's wealth management division, will open an office in New York to cover investment opportunities in North America and Latin America.
Korean groups launch $180m North America infrastructure mandate
A group of Korean institutional investors led by a unit of KB Financial Group has awarded a North American infrastructure mandate worth $180 million to Fengate Capital Management.
China's VC-backed Taomee receives take-private proposal
An investment arm of Chinese brokerage Orient Securities has teamed up with the CEO and president of children's entertainment group Taomee Holdings, and submitted a take-private offer for the US-listed company.
US listing costs tipped to create more China take-private opportunities
A new wave of take-private deals could be on the way as Chinese companies, frustrated with the cost of remaining listed in the US, consider uprooting and returning to their home country.
Silver Lake-backed Avago agrees $37b Broadcom deal
Avago Technologies, a Singapore-incorporated chip maker backed by Silver Lake Partners, has agreed to buy its NASDAQ-listed rival Broadcom Corp. for $37 billion in cash and stock.
Aberdeen Asset Management buys FLAG Capital
Aberdeen Asset Management has bought FLAG Capital Management, the US-based firm that acquired Asia-focused fund-of-funds Squadron Capital in 2012. The financials of the transaction were not disclosed.
PE-backed SSI to acquire Australia, New Zealand marketing firms
Survey Sampling International (SSI), a US-based market research company backed by Palo-Alto PE firm HGGC, will acquire online research panels MyOpinions, of Australia, and SmileCity Limited, of New Zealand.
Energy: A world beyond funds
A small but growing band of GPs are modifying the conventional PE fund model in favor of solutions that better meet their needs. For those with long-hold, asset-heavy strategies, the future may lie in platforms
Chinese consortium to buy US biotech firm Ambrx
A consortium of Chinese investors including Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group, Hopu Investments, CEL Healthcare Fund and WuXi PharmaTech will acquire Ambrx, a US-based biotech pharmaceutical developer.
China's Baozun gains on US debut after smaller-than-expected IPO
Chinese e-commerce platform solutions provider Baozun, which has several strategic and private equity backers, saw its stock gain 3.5% on its US trading debut following an IPO that priced below the indicative range.
US digital payment firm raises $28m for Asia expansion
US-based online payment system developer Ripple Labs is looking to expand in Asia on the back of a $28 million Series A round provided by investors including IDG Capital Partners and AME Cloud Ventures.
Korea’s Posco, Green Cross lead round for US-based Juventas
South Korea-based Posco Capital and biopharmaceutical player Green Cross have led a $7.5 million round for Juventas Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech development company based in the US.
TPG, PAG-owned DTZ to buy Cushman & Wakefield for $2b
DTZ, a property services provider owned by TPG Capital, PAG Asia Capital and co-investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), has agreed to buy industry peer Cushman & Wakefield for an enterprise value of $2 billion.
Singtel Innov8 leads Series B round for US big data start-up
Singtel Innov8, the early stage investor backed by Singapore telco Singtel, has led a $15 million Series B round for US big data start-up DataTorrent. GE Ventures, and the start-up's existing investors, also took part in the round.
China's Fosun to acquire remaining interest in Ironshore
China's Fosun International is seeking to fully acquire US insurer Ironshore, offering $1.8 billion for an 80% stake.