Australia
Australian agriculture: Investor stampede
Australia’s politically charged beef industry has attracted a wave of new investment, much of it driven by overseas buyers. As this interest elevates valuations and emotions, PE firms must capture value with care
Australia's Data Republic gets $7.6m Series A round
Australia-based financial technology company Data Republic has received $10.5 million ($7.6 million) in funding from National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac and Qantas.
Sydney exchange creates small cap platform
The Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX) has initiated development of a blockchain-based equities market settlement and registration system that is expected to facilitate exits for VC firms.
Quadrant exits data center business to Infratil, Commonwealth Super
Quadrant Private Equity will exit Australia-based Canberra Data Centers (CDC) as listed infrastructure investor Infratil and Commonwealth Superannuation Corp. (CSC) agreed to buy a majority stake in the business for A$784 million ($565 million).
Aura launches Australia-focused VC fund
Aura Group, an Australia and Singapore-based fund management and investment business, is raising an Australia-focused venture capital fund with a target corpus of A$30 million ($21.8 million).
Australia-founded BigCommerce raises $30m round
BigCommerce, an e-commerce software provider founded in Australia but now based in the US, has raised a $30 million Series E round led by GGV Capital. It has now received more than $155 million in funding.
Australia's AWE rejects buyout offer from Lone Star
Australia-based oil and gas producer AWE has rejected an unsolicited buyout offer from Lone Star that values the company at approximately A$421 million ($310 million).
Deal focus: QIC plots Asia beef supply chain
Leveraging its networks within Australia and across emerging Asia, QIC wants North Australian Pastoral Company to serve as the first link in a chain that takes fresh beef to where demand for it is strongest
Denham-backed Pembroke buys Australia coal field
Peabody Energy, which filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last month, has agreed to sell its interest in an undeveloped Queensland mining asset to Denham Capital-controlled Pembroke Resources for A$104 million ($76.2 million) in cash plus royalties....
QIC to buy Australia cattle station business for $295m
QIC has agreed to buy an 80% stake in cattle station operator North Australian Pastoral Company (NAP) in a deal worth around A$400 million ($295 million). It wants to leverage rising demand for beef in Asia, particularly from emerging markets.
Australian budget enhances incentives for early-stage investors
Early-stage investors in Australia will be granted a string of new tax incentives as the government continues its efforts to develop a more innovative economy.
Affinity-owned Tegel gains on trading debut after $205m IPO
Shares in Affinity Equity Partners-owned Tegel Group Holdings closed up 5.2% on the first day of trading in New Zealand following the poultry producer’s NZ$298 million ($205 million) IPO. As of May 4, the company was trading at an 8% premium to the offering...
Australia renewables: Clear skies
Having spent the last couple of years in a politics-driven limbo, Australia’s renewable energy sector is seeing renewed investor interest. Nevertheless, the market still presents various challenges
Australia's Bradken rebuffs another CHAMP PE approach
Australian mining supplier Bradken has rejected a A$150 million ($117 million) recapitalization proposal from CHAMP Private Equity. It comes seven months after discussions over a previous offer, involving a potential merger with Chile’s Sigdo Koppers,...
The Growth Fund set for part-exit in Motorcycle Holdings IPO
Archer Growth – which is now known as The Growth Fund – is on course to make a partial exit from MotorCycle Holdings, with the Australian motorcycle dealership operator targeting a A$46.3 million ($36 million) IPO.
Australia's CEFC, Palisade target $766m in renewables projects
Palisade Investment Partners and Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will partner on investments in domestic renewable energy projects valued at A$1 billion ($766 million).
Goldman, Blue Sky buy Australia student accommodation group
Goldman Sachs and Blue Sky Alternative Investments have taken a controlling stake in The Pad, an Australian student accommodation group, as part a $1 billion joint venture.
Quadrant-owned UPG buys Sydney restaurant chain
Urban Purveyor Group (UPG), an Australia-based restaurant chain owned by Quadrant Private Equity, has completed the bolt-on acquisition of Fratelli Fresh, an Italian-style café business with locations throughout Sydney.
Australia's MLC loses private equity head
Natalie Meyenn has stepped down as head of private equity at MLC, the wealth management arm of the National Australia Bank (NAB).
Fengate buys into Australia power plant
Fengate Capital Management has taken a stake in an Australian power plant along with General Electric (GE) and funds managed by domestic infrastructure-focused firm Whitehelm Capital.
Australian wine start-up raises $19m from Blue Sky
Australia-based online wine retailer Vinomofo has raised A$25 million ($19 million) for an international expansion program from Blue Sky Venture Capital.
Affinity-owned Tegel to raise up to $332m in dual offering
Tegel Group Holdings, a New Zealand-based poultry producer controlled by Affinity Equity Partners, is looking to raise as much as NZ$481 million ($332 million) through a dual listing in New Zealand and Australia.
Australia-based Cyara gets $25m Series A round
Cyara Solutions Corp, a customer experience monitoring service established in Australia in 2006, has received $25 million in a Series A round of funding led by PeakSpan Capital and Greenspring Associates.
Affinity buys Australia's Medical Director for $117 million
Affinity Equity Partners has bought Australia-based clinic management software developer Medical Director for A$155 million ($117 million).