Asia
Asia exits: Liquidity lags
Private equity exits – outside of the public markets – are gradually emerging from a COVID-19 hibernation. But sellers must be mindful of timing, structure, and which buyers they are targeting
Corporate VCs & climate change: Good citizens
Increased climate change awareness on a corporate level is leading to more investment – either direct or through funds – in start-ups that offer mitigation solutions. Asia is a key geography
LP interview: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
For Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, COVID-19 has reinforced the key tenets of its Asia investment strategy, from being flexible on timeline to putting boots on the ground
Coronavirus & infrastructure: Trial by fire
Conservative investors who trust infrastructure for its stability have received a rude awakening with COVID-19. With appetite for the asset class unchanged, it’s time to get smart about risk
Bain's Asia data center platform seeks US listing
Chindata Group Holdings, which claims to be the largest player in emerging markets Asia’s carrier-neutral hyperscale data center industry in terms of capacity in service, has filed for an IPO.
Ex-L Catterton Asia head Ravi Thakran launches SPAC
Ravi Thakran, formerly head of L Catterton’s Asia operation, has launched a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to pursue aspirational consumer brands.
Vision Fund leads $100m Series C for Singapore-founded Biofourmis
SoftBank Vision Fund has led a $100 million Series C round for Biofourmis, a Singapore founded and now US-based operator of a health analytics platform.
COVID-19 flexibility can exacerbate PE gender issues
Working from home has been a mixed experience for women in private equity, with greater flexibility counterbalanced by heightened feelings of isolation in environments that are already dominated by men.
L Catterton Asia: Unhappy families?
The merger of Catterton and L Capital was unique in its size and scope, creating the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity firm. However, perspectives on the experience remain polarized
AVCJ Awards 2020 - last call for nominations
Nominations for the 2020 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards will close on September 30 at 6 p.m. Hong Kong time. Please take the opportunity to have your say on the year's outstanding firms, fundraises, investments and exits.
OMERS names new Asia infrastructure head
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has appointed Prateek Maheshwari, an existing managing director at the firm, as its head of infrastructure in Asia.
Hillhouse founder emphasizes tech transformation opportunities
The most attractive investment opportunities in a post-COVID-19 world involve helping traditional businesses that have been “victims of the creative destruction of technology” play catch-up, according to Lei Zhang, founder and CEO of Hillhouse Capital.
Rocketship targets Asia with second global VC fund
Rocketship, a US-based data science-focused venture capital firm that has backed a number of Indian start-ups, has closed its second global fund at $100 million with a strong focus on Asia.
LPs & climate change risk: Numbers game
With more information at their fingertips, institutional investors are better positioned to understand and act on climate risks and opportunities in their portfolios. But private markets are still playing catchup
OMERS loses Asia private equity head
David Payne, who has led Asia private equity coverage at Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) for two-and-a-half years, has left the firm.
Sustainable food: Forces of nature
Environmental considerations are intrinsic to food innovation investment strategy, not a public relations bonus. Science, society, and myriad motivations color a range of perspectives
Eurazeo backs UK, Singapore-based Thought Machine
Eurazeo Growth, a joint venture between French GPs Eurazeo and Idinvest Partners, has joined a $125 million Series B round for UK and Singapore financial technology player Thought Machine.
SPACs: Flavor of the month
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) are gaining popularity among private equity investors in Asia. While these structures have various attractive qualities, they aren't for everyone
Q&A: Novo Holdings' Amit Kakar
Having spent the past three years on healthcare buy-and-build platform Everlife Asia, Amit Kakar’s is joining life sciences investor Novo Holdings as regional head. He explains why now is the time to bet big on Asia
Canyon Bridge, K2 Venture founders join Asia SPAC wave
Two more groups featuring Asian private equity executives have listed special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) on US bourses as interest in these structures continues to rise globally.
Ravi Thakran plans new Asia venture
Ravi Thakran, who departed L Catterton earlier this year, plans to launch a new private equity firm targeting growth capital investments in Asia’s consumer sector.
2Q analysis: Numbers that deceive
Asia has seen remarkable revivals in private equity investment and fundraising – though not in exits – over the past three months. A handful of large-cap situations mask a weak environment
Large-cap vehicles support PE fundraising revival in second quarter
Asia private equity fundraising rebounded from a seven-year low in the first quarter of the year to reach $24 billion for April through June, but commitments were concentrated on a handful of managers.
Software vs non-software: Digital distractions
Venture capital investors gravitate towards software start-ups, attracted by dynamic founding teams and readily scalable propositions. But should they be devoting more time and resources to hardware and biotech?