Australia
Cartesian Capital backs Australia's White Rock Minerals
US-based private equity firm Cartesian Capital has committed $20 million in project development financing to Australian mining company White Rock Minerals.
CHAMP’s Wardman-Browne joins IFM private capital team
Australia’s IFM Investors is aiming to enhance its PE business with the appointment of former CHAMP Ventures co-head Stuart Wardman-Browne as executive director of the investment group’s private capital team.
KKR exits French energy firm to Australia's First State
KKR has sold its stake in French district heating provider Coriance to First State Investments, the asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
AVCAL calls for reforms ahead of Australian election
The Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) is urging major political parties to do more to help scale up domestic companies ahead of a federal election next month.
Carlyle appoints new Australia, New Zealand buyout head - update
The Carlyle Group has promoted David Bluff to managing director and head of its buyout team in Australia and New Zealand. He was previously a director with the firm.
Resource Capital Funds to buy Australia's Ausenco
Resource Capital Funds has agreed to buy Ausenco, an Australia-listed mining services business struggling as a result of the commodities downturn, at an enterprise value of A$153.7 million ($113.3 million).
Australia's Starfish in $17.5m China push for US marketing company
Australian VC firm Starfish Ventures has joined a $17.5 million round for Aktana, a US and Japan-based marketing services provider looking to consolidate its Asian footprint.
Australia's Laguna Bay reaches $208m first close on agri fund
Australian agriculture fund manager Laguna Bay Pastoral Company has reached a first close of A$280 million ($208.5 million) on its second investment vehicle for institutional investors.
PE-backed Jones the Grocer folds in Australia again
The Australian operation of Jones the Grocer, a gourmet food retailer backed by L Capital Asia, has entered voluntary administration for the second time in two years.
PEP agrees buyout of Australia's Patties
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has made a formal offer to buy Australian snack maker Patties Foods for A$230 million ($166 million).
Australia's ALS rejects Advent, Bain buyout offer
Australian testing services company ALS has rejected a buyout offer from Advent International and Bain Capital that valued the company at about A$2.7 billion ($1.9 billion).
Australia's CapitalPitch launches $7m early-stage fund
Australia-based start-up networking platform CapitalPitch has launched a fund focused on early stage investments, with a target size of at least A$10 million ($7.3 million).
Deal focus: Securing a nation’s digital vaults
Data Republic has attracted Series A funding from some of Australia’s biggest companies, with a notable showing by the major banks demonstrating a growing focus on data security investment in the financial sector
PEP launches $165m takeover bid for Australia's Patties
Australian GP Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has launched a bid to buy snack maker Patties Foods in a deal that values the company at A$203 million ($165 million).
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.