Asia
KKR looks to invest one-third of its impact fund in Asia
KKR expects to deploy one-third of its recently closed debut global impact fund in Asia and is adding dedicated resources in the region to work on deal sourcing and execution.
Coronavirus in Asia: Ongoing analysis
Coronavirus concerns among GPs not solely focused on China vary based on their direct or indirect exposure to China, but gauging private equity responses to the crisis is like chasing a moving target
Sequoia warns founders not to underestimate coronavirus impact
Sequoia Capital has advised founders and CEOs of its portfolio companies to “question every assumption” about their business in response to mounting global concern over the coronavirus outbreak, which it describes as the “black swan of 2020.”
Profile: Baring Asia's Jean Eric Salata
Jean Eric Salata has built Baring Private Equity Asia from a one-man-shop into a firm with $20 billion in assets, negotiating financial crises and changing economic realities. He has never been one to stand still
Translink joins $94m round for Germany’s Volocopter
Translink Capital, a US-based VC focused on facilitating cross-border connections with Asia, has joined a EUR87 million ($94 million) for German flying car developer Volocopter.
StepStone promotes Australia-based Suzanne Tavill to partner
Suzanne Tavill, a Sydney-based managing director with StepStone Group, has been elevated to partner. It was one of four partner-level promotions made by the firm globally.
Minnesota SBI backs KKR's Asia fund
Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) is looking to commit $150 million to KKR’s fourth pan-Asian fund. This represents a step up from the $100 million it put into the manager’s previous vehicle.
Coronavirus: PE impact assessment
Existing analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on PE and VC in Asia is largely based on anecdotes and incomplete datasets. A detailed prognosis must wait - and then the broader implications for consumption habits will take even longer to emerge
Carlyle Asia secures exit as Permira buys Golden Goose for $1.4b
Golden Goose, an Italian luxury footwear brand acquired three years ago by The Carlyle Group’s Europe and Asia funds, has been sold to Permira for around EUR1.3 billion ($1.4 billion).
KKR raises $1.3b for global impact fund
KKR has closed its debut global impact investment fund with $1.3 billion in commitments. It will back companies that provide commercial solutions to environmental or social challenges, based on criteria set out in the UN sustainable development goals...
VC and age: No industry for old men
The trendy, shape-shifting world of venture capital is broadly seen as a young person’s game, although hard evidence to this effect remains in scarce supply
Private credit: Untapped market
Recent industry feedback suggests middle-market companies across Asia will increasingly look to private credit to support future growth. Europe may offer clues as to how the expected uptake will unfold
Capital Dynamics loses Asia primaries head
Kazushige Kobayashi (pictured), a Tokyo-based managing director at Capital Dynamics and head of primaries coverage in Asia, is departing the firm after nearly 10 years.
Portfolio level HR: Human traffic
Private equity firms in Asia are paying more attention to recruitment at the portfolio level, in some cases allocating dedicated in-house resources. How is it impacting attitudes towards leadership change?
ADB launches venture arm
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a VC arm focused on climate change-related technologies and women’s empowerment in the region.
Blackstone to launch second Asia fund in 2020
The Blackstone Group expects to return to market in 2020 with its second dedicated Asia private equity fund, less than two years after closing the debut vehicle.
MBK wins US pension support for Asia fund
MBK Partners has picked up commitments from New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), and Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) for its fifth North Asia fund.
Fund focus: Baring sees stability in scale
Jean Eric Salata, CEO of Baring Private Equity Asia, argues that a $6.5 billion fund is not too large for Asia – he wishes he’d raised more – and explains why size increasingly represents a competitive advantage
SDG-focused platform to pump $500m into emerging markets
Several public sector organizations have committed $500 million to six funds managed by Bamboo Capital Partners under a new investment platform dedicated to achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Fund focus: Lexington targets growing Asia secondaries market
Having closed its ninth fund at $14 billion, Lexington Partners is hunting for assets in a secondary market that is becoming ever larger and diverse. Asia is on the agenda, whether it’s GP-led restructurings or LP portfolios
Ares takes controlling stake in Asia's SSG
Ares Management has agreed to buy a controlling stake in SSG Capital, an Asia-focused credit and special situations fund manager with approximately $6.2 billion in assets under management, including $3.9 billion in dry powder.
4Q analysis: On trend
The last three months of 2019 were consistent with the preceding nine as pan-regional fundraising remained weak and exits continued to disappoint. Only investment rebelled against the status quo
Baring Asia closes Fund VII at $6.5b
Baring Private Equity Asia has closed its seventh fund with commitments of $6.5 billion. It is the fourth-largest pan-Asian private equity vehicle ever raised.
Ex-GE Capital executives target $300m for Asia credit fund
Sammasan Capital, a credit investment firm established by two former executives with GE Capital in Asia, is looking to raise up to $300 million for its debut fund.