Asia
AVCJ at 25: David Gross-Loh & Jim Hildebrandt of Bain Capital
David Gross-Loh and Jim Hildebrandt, managing directors at Bain Capital, guided the firm’s Japan-heavy Asia portfolio through the global financial crisis. Acting fast without overreacting was central to their approach
AVCJ at 25: Joe Bae of KKR
Joe Bae, partner and head of Asia at KKR, set up the private equity firm’s regional operation seven years ago with two principal goals: being as local as possible and building a franchise that is sustainable in the long term
AVCJ at 25: Ta-Lin Hsu of H&Q Asia Pacific
Ta-Lin Hsu, founder and chairman of H&Q Asia Pacific, brought venture capital to Taiwan as part of efforts to develop the tech sector. It was a launching pad for private equity across the region
AVCJ at 25: Lewis Rutherfurd of Inter-Asia Venture Management
Lewis Rutherfurd, co-founder of Inter-Asia Venture Management, has been active in the industry for 40 years. During that time he brought McDonald’s and Ikea to Hong Kong – and set up Asian Venture Capital Journal
Morgan Creek to deploy over half of Fund II in China – report
Morgan Creek Capital reportedly plans to deploy at least 60% of its next Asian fund-of-funds in China. The vehicle, the firm’s second dedicated to the region, has a target of $300 million.
Asia PE firms lead world in female representation – study
Asia-based private equity firms have a higher proportion of women in high-level roles than their North American and European counterparts, according to a new study.
Neuberger Berman has final close on $1.1b global co-invest fund
Neuberger Berman Group has reached a final close of $1.1 billion on its second global co-investment fund, NB Strategic Co-Investment Partners Fund II (NBCIP II). The original target was $750 million.
Asia has more than one third of global sovereign assets – study
Asia accounts for 39% of the $5.2 trillion in sovereign wealth fund (SWF) assets globally, with China alone holding $1.49 trillion, according to a new study.
Tougher this time
A number of PE executives - old enough to have seen several cycles – have commented on how difficult the fundraising environment is at present. “I thought my last fundraising [in 2004] was very difficult. Now that I am raising my current fund, the past...
Mercer restructures Asia investments team
Mercer has shuffled its Asia investments team following the creation of a new growth markets region, including Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
Affinity reaches $1.5b first close on Fund IV
Affinity Equity Partners has reached a first close of $1.5 billion on its fourth fund, having spent only about five months in the market. The vehicle has a hard cap of $3.5 billion.
New York State Common backs RRJ Capital
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF) has committed $300 million to RRJ Capital, the Hong Kong-based GP set up by Richard Ong, formerly of Goldman Sachs and Hopu Investment Management.
KKR's Asia fund 'practically closed' – Kravis
KKR’s second Asia fund is “practically closed” having exceeded its $6 billion cap, according to Henry Kravis, co-chairman of the private equity firm. This confirms earlier reports that the fund – the largest vehicle ever raised in the region, topping...
Washington State to invest $300m in Affinity Fund IV
Affinity Equity Partners has secured a $300 million commitment for its fourth pan-Asia fund from Washington State Investment Board. It is three times the size of the US pension system’s investment in the GP’s previous vehicle.
FLAG Squadron's Pierce named chair of EMPEA Asia council
The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) has appointed David Pierce, a partner at FLAG Squadron Asia, as chair of its Asia advisory council.
ADV seeks $500m for Asia special situations fund
ADV Partners, a PE firm set up by former executives from Mount Kellett Capital, is targeting $500 million for its debut Asia-focused special situations fund. The hard cap is $750 million.
Brookfield hires Niel Thassim as Head of Asia
Brookfield Asset Management has hired Niel Thassim as head of Asia with its Hong Kong-based private funds group.
A platform for private equity
A few weeks ago, I met the head of private equity of one of the largest pension funds in Asia and the world. A very impressive guy with terrific insight of the market, our conversation was great (from my standpoint) until I invited him to attend (and...
Emerging markets share of PE fundraising reaches record high - EMPEA
Emerging markets-focused private equity funds received their largest ever share of global commitments to the asset class last year, according to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA).
RREEF names Maruf head of Asia Pacific alternatives
Nadir Maruf has been appointed head of Asia Pacific alternative investments at RREEF Alternatives, a unit of Deutsch Asset Management.
CVC seeks $12.2b for latest global buyout fund – report
CVC Capital Partners is targeting EUR9 billion ($12.2 billlion) for its next global buyout fund, one of the largest currently being sought.
Talent tinkering: Operating partners in Asia
Operational value-add is becoming the new normal in Asia as private equity firms hire professionals with the skills to build portfolio companies. However, methods of recruitment and retention vary hugely
IFC raises $280m for global climate change fund-of-funds
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank, has received $280 million from the governments of Canada and the UK and Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth fund for its climate change fund-of-funds.
Asia PE fundraising drops by one third to $46.8b in 2012
Private equity fundraising in Asia Pacific slumped by more than one third to $46.8 billion in 2012 from $72.9 billion a year ago as capital committed to China-focused vehicles dropped off markedly over the course of the year. It is the lowest annual total...