Australia
Australia's Bigcommerce gets $50m growth equity round
SoftBank Capital, Telstra Ventures and American Express have led a Series D round of funding worth $50 million for Bigcommerce, an Australian e-commerce platform with a strong presence in the US. Existing investors General Catalyst and Revolution Growth...
Australia's VC-backed Campaign Monitor in US bolt-on acquisition
Australia's Campaign Monitor, an email marketing software developer backed by Insight Venture Partners and SalesForce, has acquired US survey software developer GetFeedback.
Blackstone agrees $653m carve-out of Orica's chemicals business
The Blackstone Group has agreed to buy the chemicals division of Orica, an Australian supplier of explosives and blasting equipment to the mining industry, for A$750 million ($653 million).
Quadrant set for partial exit via Estia Health's $726m IPO
Quadrant Private Equity will exit as much as half of its stake in Estia Health as the Australian aged care provider seeks to raise up to A$834 million ($726 million) through an IPO. The private equity firm bought the business in October 2013.
Profile: CHAMP Private Equity's Joseph Skrzynski
Joseph Skrzynski, one of the founding partners of CHAMP Private Equity, began his career before the asset class properly existed in Australia. He has played a pioneering role in its development
Private debt: Enforcement issues
Investors see great potential in Asia’s private debt markets, but some GPs and LPs’ attitudes towards downside protection and enforceability keep them out of emerging markets
Asahi in $175m settlement with PE firms over Independent Liquor
Asahi has received NZ$220 million ($175 million) from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital in a settlement that brings to a close their dispute over the sale of New Zealand beverage producer Independent Liquor.
TPG-owned Inghams sells $138m in real estate assets
TPG Capital-owned Australian poultry producer Inghams Enterprises has sold 31 properties to W.P. Carey, a US-based real estate investment trust, for A$157 million ($138 million).
KKR adds to Capstone team in Australia
KKR has bulked up its operations capabilities in Australia with the addition of Matthew Claughton as a director with Capstone. He will be based in Sydney.
Quadrant-backed APN Outdoor sees shares jump 8% on debut
Shares in APN Outdoor - the Australian billboard advertising business backed by Quadrant Private Equity - jumped as much as 8.6% as the company debuted on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
TPG, PAG consortium finalizes acquisition of Australia's DTZ
TPG Capital and PAG Asia Capital, together with co-investor Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP), have completed their acquisition of DTZ, the property services arm of Australia-listed UGL, for an enterprise valuation of A$1.215 billion ($1.2 billion)....
Asian start-up hubs: Global mandates
Innovation hubs have traditionally been defined by the size of their immediately addressable market. But with better access to capital, information and technology, some Asian jurisdictions are going global
Succession-planning deals: A matter of legacy
Long a feature of the developed markets private equity, succession-planning opportunities are beginning to pop up in emerging Asia. Regardless of geography, convincing a founder to sell his business is a challenge
Denham provides $130m for start-up Australia mining platform
Resources-focused GP Denham Capital has backed Auctus Minerals, a Australian start-up mining platform, with a $130 million capital injection.
PEP makes another partial exit from Australia's Veda Group
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has generated around A$218 million ($192 million) through a partial exit from Australia-listed credit-checking firm Veda Group. It still holds 19.6% stake of the business.
PE firms settle with Asahi over Independent Liquor sale
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital have agreed a private settlement with Asahi over the sale of Independent Liquor that means the dispute will not proceed to trial.
Infrastructure: Building partners
LPs are seeking to boost their exposure to Asian infrastructure through direct investment, either independently or alongside GPs. In a highly varied regional market, there is no one-size-fits-all approach
Tamarisc leads Series A round for Australia's Serraview
Australian software-as-a-service (SaaS) start-up Serraview has raised a Series A round of funding from US-based venture capital firm Tamarisc as it looks to expand into US markets.
Centerbridge leads $352m restructuring of Australia-listed miner
Centerbridge Partners will support a $352 million restructuring plan for Boart Longyear, an Australia Securities Exchange-listed mining services provider that has struggled as falling commodities prices prompt a scaling back in exploration.
Australia's CHAMP PE to buy Nuplex assets for $112m
CHAMP Private Equity has agreed to buy New Zealand-based Nuplex Industries’ distribution and plastics additives businesses for A$127.5 million ($112 million).
Australia education: Study your market
In Study Group, Australian tertiary education has a strong example of how PE can support cross-border expansion. But now the smart money is going into vocational and early learning services
Australia's OneVentures hits $53m first close on second VC fund
Australian venture capital firm OneVentures has reached a A$60 million ($53 million) first close second fund, which is looking to raise $100 million for Series B and C stage investments.
Quadrant-backed APN Outdoor to raise $289m in IPO
Quadrant Private Equity will make a partial exit from ANP Outdoor as the Australian advertising business raises A$329.3 million ($289 million) through an IPO.
Navis makes Modern Star education play
Just over a year ago, Navis Capital Partners bought Australian childcare services provider Guardian Early Learning from fellow PE investor Wolseley Private Equity for A$120 million ($110 million). The idea then was to anticipate the rise in the demand...