Asia
Bain closes fourth Asian fund at $4b hard cap
Bain Capital has reached a first and final close on its fourth Asia-focused private equity fund at the institutional hard cap of $4 billion. Employees of the firm and related parties will contribute a further $650 million.
Five trends for 2019
AVCJ looks at how its 2018 predictions turned out and identifies some key themes for the year ahead
ICG backs spin-out of Standard Chartered Private Equity
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has agreed to support a spin-out of Standard Chartered’s private equity business, taking the majority of the remaining $1 billion in assets off the bank’s balance sheet.
New faces, old faces: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2018
Natixis merges regional PE units
The asset management business of Natixis has launched a global private equity firm by merging three existing PE affiliates, including Singaporean fund-of-funds Eagle Asia Partners.
Talking points: 2018 in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on deployment during times of uncertainty, responding to technological disruption, spin-outs in China, portfolio diversification, and VC exits
2018 in review: Volatility vortex
Pan-regional funds attract the bulk of capital while the renminbi space withers; mixed fortunes for internet IPOs and trade sales; big buyouts fail to deliver but growth-stage tech stays strong
Q&A: Bain Capital's Jonathan Lavine
Asia’s private credit markets are underdeveloped given the size of the regional economy. Jonathan Lavine, co-managing partner of Bain Capital and CIO of Bain Capital Credit, assesses the growth potential
Lexington leads $1b stapled secondary for TPG Asia
Lexington Partners has backed a GP-led tender offer for TPG Capital’s fifth and sixth Asia funds, taking out existing positions held by LPs and investing new capital into the firm’s seventh pan-regional vehicle. The transaction represents a total...
PE and aquaculture: Fishtech of the future
Rising consumer demand for high-quality products and the emergence of technologies that allow greater efficiency are driving investor interest in Asia’s previously overlooked aquaculture industry
Q&A: Impossible Foods' Nick Halla
Nick Halla became the first employee at Impossible Foods in 2011. Now leading the rollout of the PE-backed company’s plant-based meat substitute products, he explains the strategy for Asia
Secondary restructurings: Opportunistic delays
Creative secondary deals are presenting private equity investors with new options for extending exposure to prized assets. Although a modest trend, it evokes big questions about best conduct
Värde collects $400m for debut Asia credit fund
Värde Partners has closed its debut Asia-focused credit fund with approximately $400 million in commitments. The vehicle launched about six months ago with a target of $250 million.
Hong Kong's Ion Pacific raises $30m for PE secondary fund
Hong Kong-based merchant bank Ion Pacific has raised $30 million for a technology fund that will acquire secondary positions in venture and growth funds as well as take direct stakes in portfolio companies.
AVCJ journalists win awards
Asian Venture Capital Journal was honored at the 2018 State Street Institutional Press Awards, Asia Pacific, winning three categories outright and receiving highly commended citations in two more.
PAG confirms $6b close on third Asia buyout fund
PAG Asia Capital has announced that its third pan-regional fund has closed at the hard cap of $6 billion – confirming an AVCJ report from last week.
LPs still keen on Asia despite slow distributions - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors remain committed to Asia even though distributions from funds targeting the region can be slower to come than those in the US and Western Europe, the AVCJ Forum heard.
China’s Ucommune gets $200m in Series D round
Chinese co-working space operator Ucommune, formerly named UrWork, has raised $200 million in Series D funding led by All-Stars Investment, with participation from CEC Capital.
GP stakes: Succession scenarios
Funds dedicated to acquiring stakes in alternatives managers represent a small but growing industry niche. They target GPs with strong records, stable fee streams and a need to address inter-generational change
Weathering cycles requires focus on fundamentals – AVCJ Forum
Private equity firms looking to maintain momentum across macro cycles must focus more on asset selection and value creation, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
GP stakes: A matter of ownership
Many private equity firms in Asia have been approached about selling a GP stake, whether it is to facilitate succession or in return for supporting a fundraise. Responses to such propositions are mixed
PAG to make first and final close of $6b on third Asia fund
PAG Asia Capital is set to make a first and final close on its third pan-regional fund on November 15 at the hard cap of $6 billion. The vehicle has been in the market for approximately six months, having set an initial target of $4.5 billion.
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
Operational value-add: Sign of the times
Budding interest in operational value-add marks a new level of maturity in Asian private equity. Trial-and-error experimentation has progressed slower than the macro motivators