Australia
Investec backs Australia fintech investor H2 Ventures
Investec has acquired a stake in Australia-based financial technology investor H2 Ventures. It is part of a broader collaboration that will see Investec contribute to H2’s accelerator and early-stage investment program.
KKR appoints Scott Bookmyer as Australia head
Scott Bookmyer, COO of KKR’s Asian operation, has been given the additional role of head of Australia. He will relocate from Hong Kong to Sydney and start work in July.
Blue Sky-backed Alcidion lists in Australia
Blue Sky Alternative Investments-backed healthcare technology company Alcidion has listed in Australia with a A$2 million ($1.4 million) IPO priced at A$0.03 a share.
Telstra backs Monk's Hill Southeast Asia fund
Australia’s Telstra Ventures has made an LP commitment to Singapore-based Monk's Hill Ventures' debut Southeast Asia fund - which is targeting S$100 million ($80 million) - as part of an ongoing pivot to Asian venture capital.
Brookfield, Qube consider joint Asciano bid
A Brookfield Asset Management-led consortium and a group led by Qube Holdings that includes Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and China Investment Corporation (CIC) are considering a joint A$9 billion ($6.5 billion) bid for Australian rail...
Australia services: Roll-up rapport
As Australia rebalances its economy in the wake of the commodities downturn, services are coming to the fore. Private equity investors continue to see consolidation opportunities
Q&A: Archer Capital's Peter Wiggs
Peter Wiggs, CEO of Archer Capital, on why the IPO slowdown has helped PE deal flow, the attractiveness of education and healthcare, and recently spun-out Archer Growth
Australia VC: Policy power
Australia’s innovation agenda is intended to serve as the foundation stone of a technology-driven economy. Do the promises made to start-ups address areas where they want to see change?
Lower middle market fundraising: Early adopters
While Australia’s lower middle market still offers opportunities for conventional GPs, some managers see growing potential in alternate fund models. Skepticism is strong among their peers
Australian PE: Under the spotlight
The rapid descent of Dick Smith Electronics from a $500 million valuation to bankruptcy has led to sharp criticism of private equity. Once again, the industry must explain why it isn’t the bad guy
Australia: Burgeoning buyouts
Following a bumper 2015 characterized by a few very large transactions, what does this year hold in store for Australia private equity investment?
Bohai Industrial backs $950m debt deal for Yancoal Australia
Bohai Industrial Investment Fund, a private equity firm controlled by Bank of China, has participated in a $950 million debt funding round for Yancoal Australia, a publicly-traded subsidiary of sate-owned Yanzhou Coal.
Anacacia backs MBO of Australian timber player
Anacacia Capital has supported a management buyout of Big River Group, an Australia-based manufacturer of construction materials. The deal comes as the GP is said to be readying its third fundraise, targeting A$250-300 million ($179-215 million).
Australia's Future Fund makes secondary sale to CPPIB - report
Australia’s Future Fund exited A$1 billion ($712 million) worth of fund positions from its private equity portfolio last year, with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) picking up the assets.
Blackstone buys New Zealand retirement villages from Lend Lease
The Blackstone Group has agreed to buy a portfolio of five retirement villages in New Zealand from Australia-listed property and infrastructure group Lend Lease Group.
Deal focus: Partners Group brings global expertise to Australian childcare
Partners Group lost out to Navis Capital Partners when Guardian Early Learning was put up for sale three years ago. The firm wasn't going to let the opportunity slip from its grasp a second time
Australia's Asciano accepts $6.3b Qube-led takeover bid
The board of Australian rail freight and cargo port operator Asciano has accepted an A$8.8 billion ($6.3 billion) takeover bid by a Qube Holdings-led consortium that includes Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and China Investment Corporation...
TPG, Carlyle acquire stake in Greencross, see buyout offer rejected
TPG Capital and The Carlyle Group have jointly acquired a 15.42% voting interest in Australia’s Greencross, although a buyout offer for the listed pet services business was rejected over the weekend.
Australian senate committee to investigate Dick Smith demise
An Australian parliamentary committee will launch an inquiry into the collapse of listed domestic retailers following the demise of Dick Smith Electronics, which was previously owned by Anchorage Capital Partners.
Navis sells Guardian Early Learning to Partners Group
Partners Group has bought a controlling stake in Australian early childhood education provider Guardian Early Learning Group from Navis Capital Partners at a post-deal valuation of A$440 million ($313 million)
Australia's Future Fund trims PE exposure
Australia’s Future Fund has lowered its private equity allocation slightly and boosted its cash holdings, reflecting concerns over increased risk due to changes in lending and public policy across markets.
Australia's Greencross rebuffs TPG buyout offer
Australia-based pet services business Greencross has confirmed it received and rejected a buyout offer from TPG Capital worth around A$720 million ($507 million).
JC Flowers to buy Chi-X's Asia trading platforms
J.C. Flowers has agreed to buy the Australia and Japan businesses of Chi-X Global Holdings, an alternative equity trading platform that competes with primary exchanges, as well as the company’s Hong Kong-based technology services unit.
Anchorage speaks out on Dick Smith investment
Anchorage Capital Partners has spoken out for the first time about the demise of its former portfolio company, Dick Smith Electronics, for which the Australian GP has attracted much criticism.