Australia
Australia announces new $225m biotech venture capital fund
The Australian government will contribute A$125 million ($112.6 million) to the A$250 million Medical Research Innovation Fund (MRIF), with the private sector to make up the other half.
Quadrant takes majority stake in Australian pet food supplier
Quadrant Private Equity has bought a majority stake in Australian pet food retailer City Farmers for A$93 million ($84 million).
Australia's Catalyst exits EziBuy to Woolworths for $274m
Catalyst Investment Managers has exited Australia and New Zealand apparel and homeware retailer EziBuy to Woolworths for NZ$350 million ($274 million). The PE firm bought a 43% stake in EziBuy six years ago for an enterprise valuation of NZ$200 million,...
Oaktree, Centerbridge make renewed Billabong refinancing offer
Oaktree Capital and Centerbridge Partners have made a fresh recapitalization offer of A$325 million ($292 million) for ailing Australian surfwear brand Billabong to compete with a revised proposal put forward by an Altamont Capital Partners-led consortium...
AMP Capital exits Australia care home stake to Singapore's G.K. Goh
AMP Capital has agreed to sell a 47.62% stake in Domain Principal Group (DPG), a leading Australian provider of residential aged care services, to Singapore-listed G.K. Goh Holdings (GKGH) for A$136.7 million ($123.6 million).
Australia's Starfish Ventures scales back team
Malcolm Thornton and Nick Peace are set to leave Australian VC firm Starfish Ventures, having converted from investment directors to venture partners. They will continue to work with existing portfolio companies until exit at which point the two are expected...
Bain to sell Domino's Japan for $123m
Bain Capital will sell a 75% stake in Domino’s Pizza Japan (DPJ) to Australia-listed Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE) for JPY12 billion ($123.4 million). The buyer will provide JPY9 billion of new debt funding, implying an enterprise value for the whole...
Global Infra Partners Explores Brisbane Port Sale – report
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is reported to be exploring the sale of its stake in one of Australia's largest container ports.
Australian VCs merge to form Square Peg Capital
Early-stage investment fund Square Peg Ventures and Victoria Capital have merged to form the new investment platform, which will work with investors on a deal-by-deal basis.
Quantum-backed Intrepid Mines loses CEO
Brad Gordon, the chief executive of Intrepid Mines - the embattled Australia-listed resources company backed by Hong Kong private equity firm Quantum Pacific - has resigned.
IFM takes 34% stake in NZ's Scottish Pacific
Australia's Industry Funds Management (IFM) has taken a 34% stake in New Zealand financial services company Scottish Pacific.
Anacacia reaches Fund II final close
Anacacia has reached a final close on its second fund, Anacacia Fund II, at a hard-cap of A$150 million. The fund, which was first launched in July last year with a target of A$50-100 million ($44-89 million), reached its first close of A$80 million within...
Archer cuts fees on buyout fund – report
Archer Capital has reportedly lowered the management fee on its A$1.5 billion ($1.34 billion) fifth fund by 20%.
Australia's IRESS acquires LDC-backed software firm Avelo
Australian software company IRESS is to acquire UK tech firm Avelo Financial Services Holdings from a private equity consortium including Lloyds TSB Development Capital (LTDC) for GBP210 million ($321 million)
Australia's RecruitLoop secures seed funding
Australian recruitment marketplace RecruitLoop (RL) has raised $500,000 from Russian firm The Untitled VC, Microsoft executive Todd Forest and a Middle East-based recruiter to fund its expansion in the US.
Clearlake backs Futuris to buck downturn
The A$200 million ($178 million) state bailout for Australia's auto industry comes after years of decline in manufacturing. Industry production numbers are the lowest since 1957. Toyota and General Motors (GM) have scaled back production amid export pressure...
Breaking down the buyout opportunity
Multinational corporations, with one eye on their precarious balance sheets, decide to cut their losses and offload divisions. Septuagenarian founders, keen to retire from the family business but with no obvious successor, agree that it's time to cash...
Australia's Hastings buys Phoenix Energy from Terra Firma
Australian infrastructure investor Hasting Funds Management has acquired 100% of Northern Irish gas distribution company Phoenix Natural Gas from Terra Firma. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Clearlake Capital buys Australia-based auto interiors firm
Clearlake Capital Group, the Los Angeles-headquartered PE firm, has made its first investment in Australia, buying Elders’ automotive business for A$69 million ($62 million), including debt. The divestment allows Elders to become a pure-play rural and...
Australia's Gresham Private Equity to lose co-head
Mark Yoens, joint head of Australian GP Gresham Private Equity, is leaving the firm in September. Mark Rimmer will continue as sole head of the team.
Australia mining: Swings and roundabouts
The end of the commodities super-cycle in Australia has impacted both mining companies and the businesses that serves them. Private equity can benefit, but only if it digs deep
PE-backed OzForex considers IPO - report
OzForex, an Australian online foreign exchange platform backed by The Carlyle Group, Accel Partners and Macquarie Group, is said to be considering an IPO that could raise around A$500 million ($643 million).
China Molybdenum beats strategics, PE to Rio Tinto copper mine stake
China Molybdenum (CMOC) has fought off competition from PE and strategic investors to acquire an 80% stake in Rio Tinto's Northparkes copper mine in Australia for $820 million.
Revolution Growth invests $40m in Australia's Bigcommerce
US venture capital firm Revolution Growth has invested $40 million in Australian tech start-up Bigcommerce. The company sells e-commerce software for online retailers covering website design, store management, marketing and electronic payments.