Australia
Australia's 99Designs acquired by European trade buyer
Australia’s 99Designs, a global graphic design marketplace, has been acquired by Ireland-based Cimpress, the owner of marketing services firm Vistaprint. It sets up at least one VC exit.
Singapore e-scooter start-up gets Series A extension
Neuron Mobility, a Singapore-based e-scooter rental start-up, has secured $12 million in an extended Series A round as it accelerates expansion in Australia and New Zealand and prepares to enter the UK.
Australia's Airwallex upsizes Series D to $200m
Australian international payments technology provider Airwallex has raised an additional $40 million in Series D funding from existing investors, bringing the round to $200 million.
Deal focus: PEP reaches its Zenith
The fourth investment from Pacific Equity Partners’ secure assets fund, Zenith Energy is expected to serve as a platform for expansion in the Australian remote power industry
AMP Capital forms Asia infrastructure debt team
Australia’s AMP Capital has doubled down on its Asia Pacific infrastructure debt strategy with the creation of a dedicated team based across Sydney and Singapore.
PAG poised to invest in Australian airline
PAG Asia Capital is in exclusive negotiations over a A$150 million ($109 million) investment in Regional Express Holdings (Rex), an Australian airline that emerged following the collapse of Ansett Airlines.
Deal focus: COVID-19 prompts Modern Star exit rethink
Navis Capital Partners' 3.5x return on Australian educational resources supplier reflects how the business proved resilient in the face of COVID-19, but the pandemic still played havoc with the exit process
Subscription credit: Fine lines
Increased standardization on disclosure has improved the visibility LPs have into how private equity firms are using subscription credit lines, but they must be mindful of attempts to loosen terms.
Australia's BGH backs online travel agent
BGH Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in TripADeal, an online travel agent that caters to the Australia and New Zealand markets.
PEP to buy Australian software player for $367m
Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Sydney-listed enterprise software and IT services provider Citadel for A$503 million ($367.5 million).
Infrastructure: Patient capital
Australia's IFM Investors has a plan to get long-term equity partners more involved in public-private partnerships. It means persuading superannuation funds to up their risk appetite
Navis sells Australia education business to PEP
Navis Capital Partners has sold Australian educational resources provider Modern Star to local private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) at an enterprise valuation of about A$600 million ($433 million).
Australia's Future Fund posts negative return, sells part of PE portfolio
Future Fund has posted its first yearly negative return since the global financial crisis, amid economic chaos caused by COVID-19, and rebalanced its private equity portfolio as part of efforts to avoid “excessive risk.”
Fund focus: Remote diligence underpins Adamantem’s first close
Australia's Adamantem Capital launched its second fund shortly before COVID-19 began to escalate, but the first close still features sizeable commitments from new investors that were unable to perform due diligence in-person
Australia's IOOF to buy NAB wealth management arm
Australian financial advisory, investment management and superannuation provider IOOF Holdings has agreed to acquire MLC, the wealth management arm of National Australia Bank (NAB), for A$1.44 billon ($1.03 billion).
Australia's Buildkite hits $144m valuation with Series A
US-based VCs General Catalyst and OpenView have provided A$28 million ($20 million) in Series A funding to Australian enterprise software player Buildkite at a valuation of about $144 million.
Start-up profiles: Sustainability agendas
Early-stage innovators across the region are leveraging both enterprise and consumer-facing models to address sustainability challenges with one eye on rapid commercialization
Quadrant acquires Australia phone mount business
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has acquired a controlling stake in Quad Lock, a local smart phone accessories maker focused on device mounts for bikes and cars.
Australia's Blackbird raises $357m for fourth fund
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has raised A$500 million ($357 million) for its fourth fund and named Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes as chairman.
Australia's PEP closes Fund VI at $1.8b
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has reached a final close on its sixth Australia and New Zealand-focused buyout fund at the hard cap of A$2.5 billion ($1.8 billion).
BGH to buy Australia's Village Roadshow for $543m
BGH Capital has agreed to acquire Australian cinema and theme park operator Village Roadshow for A$758 million ($543 million).
Fund focus: Tidal makes early-stage wave
With $21 million in dry powder, Tidal Ventures wants to bring institutional rigor to Australia's seed stage, helping prepare start-ups for Series A rounds
Australia's OneVentures closes credit fund at $57m
OneVentures has reached a final close of A$80 million ($57 million) on a venture debt fund said to be the first and largest vehicle of its kind in Australia.
OMERS acquires 20% stake in Australia's TransGrid
Canada’s Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has bought a 20% stake in Australian electricity network operator TransGrid for an undisclosed sum.