Asia
Zeitgeist: 2016 in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on issues ranging from value-add admidst economic volatility to China tech unicorns and raising capital from family offices
Five trends for 2017
AVCJ looks at how its 2016 predictions turned out and identifies some key themes for the year ahead
To pastures new: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2016
2016 in review: Uncertainty reigns
Infrastructure and late-stage technology among the few investment bright spots; renminbi vehicles dominate the fundraising landscape; public market instability undermines exit plans
MBK closes fourth North Asia fund at $4.1b
MBK Partners has reached a first and final close on its fourth North Asia-focused buyout fund at $4.1 billion, a significant step up from the $2.7 billion it raised for Fund III.
OTPP promotes Jo Taylor to international managing director
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has promoted Jo Taylor to senior international managing director. He will also serve as interim head of Asia Pacific as Nicole Musicco, the current head, returns to Toronto to lead OTPP's public equities unit.
XIO Group to acquire Israel's Meitav Dash for $387m
XIO Group, a PE firm founded by several Asia-based investment professionals with a view to buying companies in North America and Europe and helping them tap emerging market opportunities, has agreed to acquire Israeli investment firm Meitav Dash for ILS1.48...
Secondaries: The personal edge
Deep relationships within the GP community can make all the difference in terms of sourcing opportunities – and acting on them quickly – in Asia’s increasingly competitive secondaries market
Actis opens Hong Kong office to focus on IR, client services
Actis has opened an office in Hong Kong that will primarily be used for investor relations and client services activities in Asia, including Australia and New Zealand. The firm already has bases in Beijing and Mumbai.
LP interview: Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund
When Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund developed a private equity program, it was able to learn from the experiences of others and focused on building deep relationships with a select group of managers
Timeliness the key to value-add – AVCJ Forum
PE investors must focus on speed and forward planning when implementing strategies across team building, operational improvements and crisis management, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum in Hong Kong.
Investors weigh maneuvering options in response to global volatility – AVCJ Forum
Recent signs of global volatility have prompted PE investors to consider a divergence in business dynamics and economic trajectories between the US and Europe and Asia, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
China's CIC to step up overseas direct investments
Sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation (CIC) plans to accelerate the pace of its overseas direct investments, with a view to supporting Chinese economic modernization.
GPs see the Asia risk premium narrowing - AVCJ Forum
Private equity investors still expect a risk premium in Asia, although given uncertainty in Western markets and the relative stability in Asia’s more mature economies, it is debatable how long the status quo will last, industry participants told the AVCJ...
Two wins apiece for Quadrant, PAG, Affinity at AVCJ Awards
Quadrant Private Equity and PAG Asia Capital secured two wins apiece at the 2016 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards, with the former taking the firm of the year and mid-cap fundraise prizes, while the latter was recognized in the deal of the...
Asian private equity: The state we're in
Based on current progress, Asia is unlikely to match the last year's fundraising, investment and exit totals in 2016. But the fundamentals that underpin most PE opportunities in the region are still there
Asia's LP landscape
Asia is increasingly a target for private equity firms on the fundraising trail, but the region’s LP base can be difficult to penetrate, with huge variations in size, appetite and sophistication
Transition time: Succession planning in private equity
Asian GPs face increased scrutiny on succession planning as LPs seek to distinguish franchises that are sustainable from those that are not. For some founders, sharing economics and power isn’t easy
KKR launches third Asian fund
KKR has launched its third pan-Asian fund, which has a target of up to $7 billion. The private placement memorandum was issued last week, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Joe Stevens, Bert Kwan leave Standard Chartered PE
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) CEO Joe Stevens and Bert Kwan, who was responsible for investment activity in Southeast Asia, have both left the firm. This leaves Nainesh Jaisingh in sole charge of the bank’s PE unit.
Ropes & Gray adds partner to Asia private funds practice
Vincent Ip, a Hong Kong-based partner with Ropes & Gray’s private investment funds group, has been promoted to partner.
IFC proposes $100m commitment to Actis energy fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a $100 million investment in Actis Capital's latest emerging markets energy fund.
Sixpoint hires Diamond Dragon's Tan to head Asia distribution
Placement agent and secondaries advisory firm Sixpoint Partners has appointed Joan Tan, formerly of Diamond Dragon Advisors, as managing director and head of Asian distribution.
PAG backs restaurant chain Paradise Group
PAG Asia Capital has agreed to invest in Paradise Group Holdings, a Southeast Asia-based restaurant chain with over a dozen brands and more than 60 outlets.