Australia
Australia's first equity crowd funding platform set for launch
Early-stage venture capital firm Artesian is aiming to launch Australia's first equity crowdfunding platform in February.
Blackstone Australia chairman Paul Costello quits
Paul Costello, the non-executive Chairman for Australia and New Zealand at The Blackstone Group, has resigned after two years with the firm.
Quadrant acquires Australian water dispensing business
Quadrant Private Equity has acquired a majority stake in Zip Industries, an Australian developer of small-scale hot water systems capable of delivering boiling water instantly. Its signature product the Zip HydroTap is popular domestically and exported...
L Capital sees 2XU as a good fit
A recognized investor in fine foods, jewelry and ladies fashion, L Capital’s decision to back 2XU – an Australian manufacturer of compression sportswear – may seem a slight departure. In fact it could not have been a more perfect fit.
Australian taxi app Ingogo gets new funding, eyes listing
Ingogo, the Australian start-up behind the mobile taxi-booking app of the same name, has raised a A$3.4 million ($3.1 million) from a group of PE investors ahead of a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) next year.
APN agrees to exit advertising JV to Quadrant
APN News & Media has agreed to exit its interest in advertising business APN Outdoor to joint venture partner Quadrant Private Equity for A$69 million ($66.5 million).
PE-backed Nine raises $577m in Australia IPO
Australia's Nine Entertainment - which was saved from receivership by US hedge fund backers Oaktree Capital Group and Apollo Global Management - has raised A$631 million ($576.45 million) after pricing its IPO at the bottom end of the indicative range....
Anchorage-backed Dick Smith closes flat after $311m IPO
Shares in Australian electronics retailer Dick Smith Holdings, which is backed by Anchorage Capital Partners, gained 3.6% on their trading debut on Wednesday before settling back to A$2.20, the same as the IPO price. The offering earlier raised A$344.5...
Online fashion retailers Zalora, The Iconic raise $112m
Rocket Internet’s Zalora Group has raised $112 million in funding from US-based Access Industries, Scopia Capital Management and other unnamed institutional investors. Southeast Asia-focused Zalora.com and Australia’s The Iconic are part of Zalora Group....
Crescent-owned travel insurer to raise $475m in Australia IPO
Crescent Capital Partners-owned travel insurer Cover-More Group is targeting a A$521.2 million ($475 million) IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
L Capital acquire 40% of 2XU, Lazard sees 2x multiple
L Capital, the private equity firm backed by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has acquired a 40% stake of 2XU, an Australian sports apparel brand, for a reported A$75 million ($68.3 million). The transaction represents a partial exit for previous backers...
Blackbird leads round for Australian bitcoin start-up
Blackbird Ventures has invested A$250,000 ($227,645) to lead a A$500,000 round of funding for Melbourne-based CoinJar, a bitcoin wallet and exchange provider. Angel investors in the round include RetailMeNot founders Guy King and Bevan Clark and game...
Archer consortium scraps bid for NZ's Abano Healthcare
A consortium of investors including Archer Capital has scrapped its bid for New Zealand's Abano Healthcare Group. The group, which also featured Healthcare Industry Limited (HIL) and Steamboat Capital, cited a downgrade in the company's forecast profit...
AMP buys Australia schools project from RBS
AMP Capital will acquire a 100% interest in a portfolio of school buildings in Melbourne from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The purchase is being made via the AMP Capital Community Infrastructure Fund, which invests in public-private partnership-style...
Blackstone, Carlyle to bid for Transpacific waste unit - report
The Blackstone Group and The Carlyle Group are said to be among suitors for Transpacific Industries Group's New Zealand waste management unit, with first round bids expected by December 6. Japan's Orix Corp. and New Zealand infrastructure investor Infratil...
Australia's Ansell buys PE-backed glove maker for $615m
US-based Odyssey Investment Partners has agreed to sell BarrierSafe Solutions International, a provider of disposable gloves, to Ansell for approximately $615 million.
KKR-owned Bis Industries acquires Powertrans for $27m
KKR-held Australian mining logistics company Bis Industries is to acquire mining haulage systems operator Powertrans for A$30 million ($27.46 million).
Providence-owned Study Group buys Australian college
Study Group, an education services provider owned by Providence Equity Partners, has acquired ANU College from Australian National University. Financial details were not disclosed.
Australian Tax Office warns foreign investors on compliance
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has written to 130 private equity firms offering to “assist with their compliance” as it scrutinizes the pipeline of upcoming IPOs to ensure foreign investors don’t avoid paying local tax.
Australia's HighPoint Capital invests in Brand New Media
HighPoint Capital has acquired a significant minority shareholding in Brand New Media (BNM), a Sydney-headquartered business that runs digital channels for brands and broadcasters. Its partners include Seven West Media in Australia, New Zealand’s national...
Oaktree ups stake in New Zealand's MediaWorks
Oaktree Capital has increased its stake in New Zealand broadcaster MediaWorks to 43%, after acquiring a 14.6% stake from Dutch lender Rabobank. The transaction took place the same day lenders completed their recapitalization of MediaWorks, reducing its...
Australia's PEP sells Link stake to Macquarie, ICG - report
Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has reportedly sold a 25% stake in share registry and superannuation administration services provider Link Group to Macquarie Group and Intermediate Capital Group for around A$200 million ($187 million).
Starfish invests another $2.8m in Australia's DesignCrowd
Crowdsourced design marketplace DesignCrowd (DC) has raised another A$3 million ($2.8 million) from Starfish Ventures to expand into new markets.
KPMG's Australia PE head switches to Singapore role
Andrew Thompson, head of private equity at KPMG Australia, is relocating to Singapore where he will take up a Southeast Asia-focused position with the firm.