Asia
Asian club deals: Big ambitions
A resurgence in club deal activity has proven symptomatic of the evolution of Asia's private equity buyout market. But while the structure and the nature of deals has changed, the underlying rationale remains fixed
KKR's Joe Bae elevated to senior leadership role
Joe Bae (pictured), who has spent the last 12 years building out KKR’s Asian operation, has been named co-president and co-COO of the firm as co-founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts prepare to hand over leadership to the next generation.
US investors wary of Asia spin-outs - AVCJ Forum
Keeping up with the pace of change in Asian private equity – particularly in terms of people moves – is one of the biggest challenges for institutional investors based outside of the region.
2Q analysis: All about Japan
Japan’s middle-market in fundraising flurry; Toshiba fails to make the second-quarter cut, but Asia buyouts still boom; public markets, particularly in Japan, deliver strong exits as trade sales stutter
IFC proposes $20m investment in Abraaj credit fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $20 million in the Abraaj Group’s global credit fund.
Hong Kong's CompareAsiaGroup gets $50m Series B
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has led a number of venture capital firms in a $50 million Series B funding round for Hong Kong-based financial comparison platform CompareAsiaGroup.
General Atlantic names ex-HKMA executive as special advisor
General Atlantic has appointed Yong Hak Huh, founder and CEO of First Bridge Strategies and formerly CIO of private markets and direct investment at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as a special advisor.
GSR leads $13m round for Singapore's InstaRem
GSR Ventures has led a $13 million Series B funding round for Singapore-based financial technology start-up InstaRem.
Baird Capital raises $310m for global mid-market fund
Baird Capital, the private investment arm of Robert W. Baird & Co, has closed its latest global mid-market fund at $310 million.
Eastspring invests $500m in IFC infrastructure program
Eastspring Investments, an Asia-focused asset management business of Prudential, will invest $500 million in an emerging markets infrastructure development program managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
CLSA Capital invests in Japan beauty contact lenses maker
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested an undisclosed sum in El Dorado Group, a beauty contact lenses manufacturer based in Japan and Hong Kong.
Canadian AI player raises $102m Series A for Asia push
China’s Tencent Holdings and Korea’s Hanwha Investment have backed a $102 million Asian expansion drive by Canadian artificial intelligence developer Element AI. It is said to be the largest Series A round ever raised by an AI company.
Campbell Lutyens adds former GIC executive to advisory board
Placement agent and secondary transaction advisor Campbell Lutyens has appointed Kok-Peng Teh, formerly head of the special investments division at GIC Private, to its advisory board.
Asia fundraising: Demand and supply
Capital is pouring into the asset class, globally and in Asia, to the benefit of brand-name buyout managers. Deploying a large fund in Asia means squeezing as much deal flow as possible out of each jurisdiction
L Catterton targets $1.25b for third Asia fund
L Catterton Asia – the regional arm of L Capital, which merged with US-based Catterton last year – is looking to raise $1.25 billion for its third fund.
Fund focus: Safe hands
With $9.3 billion in dry powder, KKR aims to capitalize on growing big-ticket opportunities in the region. The large and rapid fundraise is further evidence of the flight to quality among LPs
Asia Alternatives gets $100m from Minnesota SBI
Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) has committed to $100 million to Asia Alternatives’ fifth fund-of-funds, having recently increased its exposure to the region through vehicles managed by Warburg Pincus and KKR.
Korean culture plays: Sitting pretty?
Private equity is riding the 'Korean wave' by investing in cultural assets - from music to TV dramas to beauty products – that have international appeal. Success hinges on execution as much as macro trends
SoftBank achieves $93b first close on global tech fund
SoftBank Group Corp. has reached a first close of more than $93 billion on its global technology investment fund. A final close of $100 billion is expected within six months.
CPPIB's Asia PE portfolio grows 24% to reach $9.9b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) increased its exposure to Asian private equity by almost one quarter over the 12 months ended March 2017. The portfolio reached C$13.4 billion ($9.9 billion) as the pension plan made five direct investments...
Sigit Prasetya named head of CVC Asia, Roy Kuan to retire
Sigit Prasetya (pictured) has taken over as head of Asia at CVC Capital Partners as part of a broader restructuring of senior management that will see Roy Kuan, currently managing partner for the region, retire from the firm.
Highland closes Asia, US healthcare fund at $147m
Highland Capital Management has raised approximately $147 million for an Asia and North America-focused healthcare fund, having received an anchor LP commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS).
New York State Common backs KKR's third Asian fund
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), the third-largest pension fund in the US, has committed $275 million to KKR’s third Asian fund, which has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion.
Baring Asia, CPPIB to privatize Nord Anglia in $4.3b deal
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed a $4.3 billion privatization of Nord Anglia Education, a school operator it took private in the UK in 2008 and relisted in the US three years ago. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is also participating...