Region
China's Harvest Capital closes second offshore fund at $300m
Harvest Capital, formerly Sino-Can Harvest Capital (SCHC), has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund – Great China Motivation Fund Phrase I – at $300 million.
Japan's AIC appoints Yasufumi Hirao as CEO
Japanese fund-of-funds Alternative investment Capital (AIC) has appointed Yasufumi Hirao as its new president and CEO.
Placement agents: Tapping tomorrow's investors
Asian LPs are a small but increasingly conspicuous part of the global institutional investor community. How can placement agents nurture pockets of growth in a potentially lucrative yet hugely imbalanced market?
China reverse mergers: In through the out door
With China IPOs still stuttering, a number of private equity investors in need of an exit have opted to go public through reverse mergers. Is the risk-reward good enough for this to become the normal?
Insight breaks records with Campaign Monitor
When you consider the sheer scale of the opportunity, it is perhaps no surprise to learn that Australia's largest-ever tech VC investment to date - which took place earlier this month - involved a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company.
Warburg supports Liepin's O2O expansion
Emboldened by a $70 million Series C round of funding led by Warburg Pincus, differentiation is now Liepin.com's top priority. The Chinese online recruitment services provider must set itself apart from rivals such as NASDAQ-listed 51job and Zhaopin.com....
J-Star's Kugami deal fits the mold
If anything is to be learnt from J-Star's acquisition of Japanese plastic-molded auto parts maker Kugami, it is that when one door closes another opens.
PE firms and IPOs – again
Fifteen months ago this space was used to pour water on the notion of Asian private equity firms going public.
Alibaba, Yunfeng invest $1.2b in Youku Tudou
Alibaba Group and Yunfeng Capital will acquire a combined 18.5% stake in Youku Tudou, a US-listed Chinese online video firm, for $1.22 billion.
PE-backed GMR Energy shelves IPO
GMR Energy (GMRE), an Indian energy firm backed by a consortium of private equity investors including Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings and IDFC Alternatives has withdrawn from its IPO.
China's Ctrip invests $200m in VC-backed Tongcheng
Tongcheng Network Technology, the VC-backed business behind travel site 17u.com and ticketing site LY.com, has received $200 million Ctrip International.
Actis invests in Chinese biscuit maker
Emerging markets investor Actis has taken a minority stake in Jiashili Food Group, one of China’s biggest biscuit companies, for an undisclosed sum.
Kunming Pharma, Ping An PE launch healthcare M&A fund
Shanghai-listed Kunming Pharmaceutical Corp. has partnered with a direct investment arm of Ping An Securities to set up a healthcare-focused M&A fund, with a target of RMB500 million ($80 million).
Japan VCs invest $4m in game developer Aiming
Japanese gaming company Aiming has received a JPY450 million ($4.3 million) round of investment from YJ Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and Mizuho Capital.
DT Capital invests $19m in China decorating company
China-focused PE firm DT Capital Partners has invested RMB120 million ($19 million) in Zhejiang Yasha Decoration, a Shenzhen-listed building design and decorating company.
Texas County & District backs Legend's China VC fund
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) has committed $30 million to Legend Capital’s latest China venture capital fund.
Australia's Gresham PE exits freight business to McAleese
Silk Logistics Group, which is owned by Australian GP Gresham Private Equity’s portfolio, has sold its last operating division, WA Freight Group (WAFG), to McAleese for A$15.4 million.
Zoyi buys stake in Taiwanese pineapple cake maker
Greater China-focused mid-cap investor Zoyi Capital has acquired a minority stake in Vigor Kobo, a Taiwan-based retailer best known for selling pineapple cakes to tourists.
GE invests $24m in India solar plant
GE Energy Financial Services (GEEFS), the energy-focused investment unit of General Electric, has committed $24 million to India's largest solar power project operated by Welspun Renewables Energy.
PEP-owned Spotless targets $928m IPO
Spotless Group, the Australia and New Zealand-focused cleaning and catering contractor bought by Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) in 2012, is seeking to raise approximately A$1 billion ($928 million) through an IPO.
CVC completes South Beauty restaurant acquisition
CVC Capital Partners has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Chinese restaurant chain South Beauty.
KKR boosts Capstone's China capabilities
KKR has appointed Matthew Chang as a managing director in its Capstone unit. He will lead the PE firm’s engagement with its portfolio companies in China.
INCJ-backed JV acquires NZ-based packaging business
A Japanese joint venture - 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) - has acquired the pulp, paper and packaging (PPP) unit of New Zealand-based forest products company Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) for just over NZ$1 billion ($857 million)....
SingTel Innov8, Foxconn back Singapore's KAI Square
KAI Square, a Singapore-based video analytics firm, has obtained S$4 million ($3 million) in Series B funding from Foxconn Technology Group and SingTel Innov8.


