Australia
Australia buyouts: Downsizing
Bain Capital has completed two buyouts in Australia in the last five years. The first was a classic large-scale affair as accounting software firm MYOB was acquired from Archer Capital and HarbourVest Partners for around $1 billion in 2011. Three years...
Australia mid-market: Squeezed middle
Several Australian superannuation funds are eschewing commitments to smaller domestic GPs because they have to deploy a larger quantum of capital. If more follow suit, what does it mean for the middle market?
LP Interview: SunSuper's Michael Weaver and HOSTPLUS' Neil Stanford
Michael Weaver, private markets manager at SunSuper, and Neil Stanford, investment manager for private equity at HOSTPLUS, discuss portfolio composition and performance.
Australia mining: Panning the value stream
In the midst of the commodities downturn GPs are still finding deals in mining services, although volatility can play havoc with execution. Better value might be found upstream, if you know where to look
Q&A: Pacific Equity Partners' Simon Pillar
Simon Pillar, managing director at Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), on the prospects for buyouts in Australia, selling assets to strategic buyers in Asia, and evolving LP attitudes towards co-investment.
Australia VC: Policy permutations
Plans to reinstate tax breaks for Australian start-ups that issue share options to staff rather than pay sizeable salaries has cheered VC investors. They are generally positive about the government role in fostering innovation
Australia drafts new rules for VC investor visa scheme
The Australian government plans to change the current rules for its Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program as part of efforts to boost the availability of capital for local start-ups.
Australia's QIC raises an initial $528m for global infrastructure fund
QIC, an investment manager controlled by the Queensland government, has secured initial commitments of $528 million from four institutional investors for a global infrastructure fund.
Australian infrastructure: Greenfield gambit
Sydney's cross city tunnel entered voluntary administration in September 2013 after failing to refinance its debt. The project launched eight years earlier but slipped into insolvency in 2006 due to low traffic volumes.
Australian biotech start-up raises $20m Series B round
Vaxxas, an Australian biotechnology start-up developing a novel vaccination platform, has raised a A$25 million ($20 million) Series B round of funding from a group of new and existing investors led by OneVentures.
Australian pension funds most aggressive on alternatives – study
Australia’s superannuation funds have been the most aggressive of the major global pension players in developing alternatives exposure over the last 10 years, according a new study.
Australia's Future Fund ups PE allocation to 9.5%
Australia’s Future Fund increased its private equity allocation from 7.7% to 9.5% over the course of 2014 as total assets under management reached A$109 billion ($85 billion). The return for the 12 months ended December was 13.2%.
CPPIB, QIC back $2.3b Sydney infrastructure project
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) are part of a consortium alongside toll road operator Transurban Group that is backing Sydney’s A$2.9 billion ($2.3 billion) NorthConnex tunnel project.
Australia's DesignCrowd wins backing from AirTree Ventures
DesignCrowd, an Australia-based crowdsourcing platform used to source designs from hundreds of freelance designers, has received A$6 million ($4.6 million) in a Series B funding round led by AirTree Ventures.
Q&A: Denham Capital's Bert Koth
For resources-focused GP Denham Capital, the commodities downturn has thrown up some interesting opportunities. Bert Koth, the firm’s Perth-based managing director, explains why his eye is now on Asia
Australia's EMR Capital raises $450m for mining fund
Australian resources-focused private equity firm EMR Capital has reached a final close of $450 million on its specialist mining fund, beating the $400 million target.
PE buyout talks with Australia's Bradken fall through
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Bain Capital have pulled their take-over bid for Australian mining industry supplier Bradken due to volatility in the commodities market.
Deal focus: Macro headwinds weigh on Peoplebank exit
Not every investment works out as planned - often for reasons beyond the investor's control. Navis Capital Partners recently sold Australia-based IT and specialist recruiting firm Peoplebank to Japan's Recruit Holdings for A$68.6 million ($56.6 million)....
Australian medical research fund backs antibody start-up
Solvanix, an Australian early-stage biotech company that has developed a technology for improving drug stability, has received A$2 million ($1.6 million) in seed funding from the Medical Research Commercialization Fund (MRCF).
Navis exits Australia's Peoplebank to Recruit Holdings
Navis Capital Partners has sold Australia-based IT and specialist recruiting firm Peoplebank to Japan’s Recruit Holdings for A$68.6 million ($56.6 million).
NZ Super, Infratil target aged care integration
Morrison & Co, an investment manager of New Zealand-listed infrastructure fund Infratil, has been looking into Australian retirement village space for a while. In early 2014, it approached RetireAustralia, the country’s fourth-largest player, as a potential...
Australian cancer drug developer raises $10m Series B round
Australian biopharmaceutical start-up EnGeneIC has received $10 million in a Series B round of funding led by Boston-based healthcare specialist GRT Capital Partners.
CVC returns $2b to investors from Asia deals in 2014
CVC Capital Partners returned $2 billion to investors from Asia-based investments in 2014 after completing three full or partial exits – which contributed $1 billion of the proceeds – in December.
TPG, PAG consortium merges DTZ with Cassidy Turley
TPG Capital, PAG Asia Capital and their co-investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) have followed up their acquisition of DTZ, the property services arm of Australia-listed UGL, with the purchase of US-based Cassidy Turley.