Australia
Sequoia, Canaan Partners invest $6.3m in Adnear
Sequoia Capital and Canaan Partners have invested INR350m ($6.3 million) in AdNear, a location-based mobile advertising platform, in a Series A round of funding.
Bain-owned MYOB to cut debt through notes offer
Accounting software firm MYOB plans to issue A$125 million ($131 million) in subordinated notes to pay down debt used to finance its acquisition by Bain Capital and also to return capital to the private equity investor. The notes will be issued on the...
Australia's Starfish Ventures invests in email company Atmail
Starfish Ventures has invested $2 million in Atmail, a Australia-based enterprise email and web communication company. The capital will help the Atmail scale-up its technical team and expand into overseas markets.
PEP separates Braiform from portfolio company Spotless
Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has carved out coat hanger manufacturer Braiform from Spotless Group, the cleaning and catering contractor it acquired earlier this year. The company now reports directly to PEP.
Anacacia seeks Aussie SME buyouts
With the established participants in Australia’s lower mid-market having graduated to fund sizes of A$250 million or more as they progressed through the cycles, and many smaller players struggling to raise money, Anacacia Capital finds itself in less...
Australia's PageUp People gets $10m from Accel-KKR
Accel-KKR, a Silicon Valley-based PE firm, has invested $10 million for an undisclosed stake in PageUp People, an Australian firm that provides software for tracking worker performance.
Pension plans unsure about VC commitments
North American pension plans are exhibiting mixed feelings towards venture capital funds – some find GPs that were once refused to take meetings are now opening up to a wider range of investors while others are backing off from the asset class, blaming...
Australia's Anacacia reaches $129m second close
Australian GP Anacacia Capital has arrived at a second close of A$125 million ($129 million) for its second fund. The private equity firm has already exceeded its target of A$100 million and is on course to reach its hard cap of A$150 million.
Australia's PEP targets $3.6b for Fund IV
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is targeting up to A$3.5 billion ($3.6 billion) for its fifth fund, including A$2 billion of core equity and a further $1-1.5 billion earmarked for a co-investment pool.
Billabong director explores buyout options
Billabong shares spiked 17% during Monday morning trading in response to the Australian surfwear company announcing that one of its directors was looking at a possible leveraged buyout. TPG Capital and Bain Capital both submitted bids of A$694 million...
Carlyle, Seven Group plan Coates Hire sale
The Carlyle Group and Australia's Seven Group are planning to sell their stakes in Australian equipment rental company Coates Hire. The news comes after the pair failed to proceed with an A$800 million ($831 million) IPO of the company earlier this year....
Investors give prognosis for healthcare investment in Asia - AVCJ Forum
Despite regulatory hurdles and a waning IPO market, the healthcare care sector is an increasingly attractive area of investment for venture capitalists.
Castle Harlan bid-rigging case goes before Australian court
A deal involving a Canadian mining services company that was bought and sold by US private equity firm Castle Harlan on the same day has gone before an Australian court.
KKR, Allegro pick up Australasian loan portfolio from BOS
KKR’s special situations business has teamed up with Australia’s Allegro Funds to acquire a portfolio of commercial loans from BOS International. The sale came after Lloyds International, BOS’ parent, conducted a review of its Australia and New Zealand...
PE & PR: Private equity's public face
Private equity is more entrenched and better understood in some Asian markets than others. What do the various stakeholders - entrepreneurs, government, media, public - make of the asset class?
Asia buyouts: The privatization play
Take-private transactions have created headlines in a climate of low public market valuations. Companies are being targeted in Australia, Japan and the US, but a bid doesn’t necessarily result in a deal
CHAMP-backed oOh!Media targets more acquisitions
Australia’s outdoor advertising industry looks set for further consolidation as CHAMP Private Equity said portfolio company oOh!media is still on the acquisition trail after agreeing to buy Ten Network’s Eye Corp.
Riverside acquires Australian e-learning provider
The Riverside Company has bought Australian e-learning firm Learning Seat, its 300th acquisition. The transaction is the first investment of the firm’s affiliated Riverside Asia-Pacific Fund II.
Denham Capital to open office in Perth
Energy-focused PE firm Denham Capital is to open an office in Perth, Australia, in February. Based in one of the world’s main hubs for mining activity, the new office will be led by Bert Koth, director of Denham’s metals and minerals team.
CHAMP PE sells off Blue Star's Australian operation
CHAMP Private Equity is said to have exited the Australian arm of printing and communications company Blue Star Group to a consortium including Wolseley Private Equity and CaxtonWeb. Blue Star’s New Zealand operations area also expected to be sold off....
Australian's Verde targets $52m VC fund
Australian venture capital firm Verde is seeking to raise A$50 million ($52 million) for a fund that will focus on bringing technology to market. It will concentrate on innovations in the medical, defense and technology sectors.
Ten Network, CHAMP Private Equity agree Eye Corp sale
CHAMP Private Equity’s portfolio company oOh!media has agreed to pay A$113 million ($117 million) for Eye Corp, Ten Network Holdings’ outdoor advertising business. Last week it downsized its original offer of A$145 million to A$110 million.
Australia's fundraising rebounds with foreign investor support
The fiscal year ended June 2012 was reportedly the best fundraising year for the Australian private equity and venture capital industry since 2007-2008, with more than A$3.3 billion ($3.4 billion) raised by 21 funds.
Allegro Funds leads MBO of Australia's Hastie Services
Allegro Funds has completed a management buyout of Australian industrial services group Hastie Services, months after parent company Lazard-backed Hastie Group went into administration.