North America
CalPERS sees improvement in PE portfolio performance
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) saw an improvement in performance from its private equity portfolio in the year ended June 2014, although buoyant public markets led the strong short-term returns.
China's Hosen buys US beef processor
Chinese agritech-focused PE firm Hosen Capital has acquired Ruprecht, a US beef processor, for an undisclosed sum.
China’s ClearVue in cross-border cosmetics investment
Chinese GP ClearVue Partners has teamed up with US-based Catterton to provide a round of funding for Intercos, a European manufacturer of cosmetics and skincare products that wants to expand in China.
Japanese entrepreneurs' big data start-up raises $15m
Treasure Data - a Silicon Valley-based big data start-up founded by two Japanese entrepreneurs - has raised a $15 million Series B round of funding led by Scale Venture Partners with participation from AME Cloud Ventures.
CPPIB, Longfor set up JV to invest in Suzhou commercial property
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has formed a joint venture with Chinese real estate developer Longfor Properties to invest in a mixed-used project in Jiangsu province, China.
Xeraya, Spruce in $150m first close on second life sciences fund
Khazanah Nasional-controlled Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners have reached a first close of $150 million on MLS Capital Fund II, successor to the vintage Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, which is now fully allocated.
China outbound: More haste, less speed
Much is expected of Chinese private equity firms in terms of cross-border acquisitions in Europe and the US. While broader economic dynamics point to more deal flow, the GPs themselves are moving with caution
IDG commits $3m to Chinese weather data generator
IDG Capital Partners has acquired a 10% stake in Bloomsky, a subsidiary of China’s Andon Health which develops weather data sensors, for $3 million.
TPG, PAG consortium merges DTZ with Cassidy Turley
TPG Capital, PAG Asia Capital and their co-investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) have followed up their acquisition of DTZ, the property services arm of Australia-listed UGL, with the purchase of US-based Cassidy Turley.
Tsing Capital, WLR China fund join $44.5m round for Phononic
Tsing Capital and WLR China Energy Infrastructure Fund have participated in a Series D round of funding worth $44.5 million for Phononic, a US-based manufacturer of solid-state cooling and refrigeration devices.
Thai Union buys Bumble Bee from Lion Capital for $1.5b
Thai Union Frozen Products, the world’s largest producer of canned seafood, has agreed to buy Bumble Bee Seafoods from US-based GP Lion Capital for $1.5 billion.
China's Baidu confirms investment in Uber
Chinese search engine Baidu has confirmed that it is the latest investor in Uber, the online car-ordering service that has raised an estimated $3.3 billion since its inception.
Tech valuations: Ill-fated inflation?
As valuations in the tech space continue to soar, comparisons are inevitably drawn with the dotcom bubble era. Asia can point to favorable fundamentals, but it remains to be seen whether the exuberance is justified
Chinese investors join $40m round for Misfit Wearables
GGV Capital, Shunwei Venture Partners, smart phone maker Xiaomi and online retailer JD.com have participated in a $40 million Series C round of funding for Misfit Wearables, which manufactures wearable devices that track health and fitness.
Canada's Fairfax Financial launches India investment unit
Fairfax Financial Holdings, which previously acquired Thomas Cook India through Fairbridge Capital, is launching a publicly-traded unit that will target investments in the country.
Bubble talk: VC valuations
In Beijing and Silicon Valley, there is cause for concern at the flood of capital entering the technology space. It draws comparisons with the dotcom bubble era – but VCs at the AVCJ Forum were keen to play down the similarities.
VCs cast doubt on dotcom era comparisons - AVCJ Forum
Venture capital investors played down comparisons between the current soaring valuations in the technology space and the dotcom bubble era.
Taiwan’s Cathay buys PE-owned Conning for $240m
Cathay Life Insurance, Taiwan’s largest insurer, has agreed to buy Conning Holdings, an asset manager owned by US private equity firm Aquiline Capital Partners, for $240 million.
Ex-AVCJ chairman elected Nevada state treasurer
Dan Schwartz, former chairman of AVCJ, has been elected Nevada state treasurer, defeating Kim Wallin, the current Democratic state controller.
Q&A: Draper Associates' Tim Draper
A third-generation venture capitalist, Tim Draper is founder of Draper Associates and founding partner of DFJ. He explains the key ingredients for rolling out the Silicon Valley model at home and overseas
Private equity firm names: A brand apart
As private equity becomes more of a mainstream asset class, brand-consciousness kicks in. Finding a suitable name can be a challenge, particularly when operating in multiple markets and languages
Q&A: Oaktree's Howard Marks
Howard Marks, chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, gives his appraisal of the current investment and economic environments, and explains how his firm is developing its Asia strategy
Japan’s MegaChips to buy VC-backed SiTime
MegaChips Corp, a Tokyo-listed semiconductor maker, is to acquire SiTime Corporation, a VC-backed US semiconductor company for $200 million.
BVCF-backed Jaguar Animal Health targets $54m US IPO
Jaguar Animal Health, a veterinary drugs developer backed by China-focused healthcare investor BVCF, is looking to raise as much as $54 million through a NASDAQ IPO.