China
Hong Kong's Hanhong to invest in Sprint Siberia energy project
Hong Kong-based Hanhong has agreed to invest $11 million in Australia’s Sprint Energy to support development of a project located in the Tomsk region of the prolific West Siberian Basin.
Fosun Pharma, Pramerica-Fosun buy Israel’s Alma Lasers
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaaceutical, a subsidiary of China’s Fosun International, and the Pramerica-Fosun China Opportunity Fund, will be around $240 million to acquire up to 95.6% of Israel-based Alma Lasers.
CITIC, CDH generate 4x return through China auto parts exit
CITIC Capital Partners and CDH Investments Management have exited Chinese auto components manufacturer Nanjing Aotecar to a domestic buyer. According to sources familiar with the transaction, CITIC has secured an approximately 4x money multiple on an...
CITIC, Vector see 3x return on RAE Systems trade sale
CITIC Capital Partners and Vector Capital have exited gas detection equipment manufacturer RAE Systems through a $340 million trade sale to Honeywell. The China-focused GP came in as a co-investor on US-based Vector’s privatization of the company in...
CITIC-backed consortium sweetens deal for China 3SBio take-private
A consortium backed by CITIC Private Equity has raised its offer for the Chinese biotechnology company 3SBio to around $370 million.
StarRock to be first China PE firm to enter mutual fund space
China’s sunshine fund StarRock Investment has recently established a mutual fund department, making it the first domestic private equity manager to officially operate in the public fund space.
SMC Capital closes $5m Series A round in Dalian Senyint
SMC Capital China, the early growth capital platform of veteran investor Simon Murray, has closed RMB30 million ($5 million) Series A investment in Dalian Senyint International Digital Medical System, a hospital IT solutions provider.
Haves and have nots
It probably comes as no surprise to most readers that Asia Pacific fundraising in the first quarter of 2013 was much slower than in the past. When I covered the tough fundraising conditions in the March 18 viewpoint, I observed that the market is divided...
Lunar takes the bull by the horns
Nothing transforms the fortunes of a start-up quite like a celebrity endorsement. Twenty-five years ago, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, then still a rising star in the Communist Party, visited Yonghong, a family-owned beef jerky producer based in...
China's VIEs: A political football
The investment structure that has underpinned foreign investment in China’s internet and telecom sectors is being questioned by investors and regulators. Is the VIE dead and, if so, what could replace it?
China PE and mutual funds: Never the twain shall meet
China’s securities regulator has invited domestic PE firms to raise mutual funds, prompting a rival agency to forbid such a move. Regardless, industry participants are uninspired by this opportunity
TPG Capital hires Morgan Stanley, UBS for UniTrust sale - report
Global buyout firm TPG Capital is to sell Shanghai-based finance and leasing company UniTrust for $800 million.
CDIB Capital finalizes $25m investment in China's Meilele
Taiwan-based CDIB Capital, the PE unit of China Development Financial, has completed a $25 million investment in a Chinese online home furnishings retailer Meilele.
Hertz buys 20% stake in Warburg Pincus-backed China Auto Rental
Hertz Global Holdings has agreed to buy 20% of Warburg Pincus- backed China Auto Rental (CAR). The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
China’s CIC tops overseas investment deals – study
China’s sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation (CIC), was the most active investor for overseas direct investment (ODI) in 2012, according to an index published A Capital, a private equity firm focused on cross-border transactions involving...
TPG, GIC backed Li Ning closes $238m convertible securities issue
Li Ning, the Chinese sports brand backed by the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and TPG Capital, had closed a convertible securities issue worth HK$1.85 billion ($238 million). The open offer was over-subscribed with the company receiving...
SingTel Innov8 leads $5m Series A round in China's Yodo1
SingTel Innov8, the VC unit of Singapore's SingTel Group, has led a $5 million round of Series A funding in Chinese smartphone game publisher Yodo1. Original investor Chang You Fund also took part in this latest round.
China’s VC-backed Light in the Box files for $86m IPO
VC-backed Chinese online retailer Light in the Box could raise up to $86.3 million through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Lunar Capital acquires majority stake in China's Guizhou Yonghong
Lunar Capital Management has acquired a majority stake in Chinese snack food company Guizhou Yonghong, for an undisclosed sum. The company produces and distributes processed beef products under the brand of Niutou, which means Bullhead.
Chongqing launches RQFLP program for offshore RMB funds
The Chongqing government has rolled out a trial Renminbi Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (RQFLP) program, easing the path for offshore renminbi-denominated funds to invest in private equity.
NEA names managing director for Asia
VC firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA) has appointed Carmen Chang as Asia partner and managing director. She is charged with enhancing the firm’s deal flow and brand in China and other Asian markets.
CalSTRS commits to FountainVest, Bain Asia funds
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) committed $120 million to Asia-focused GPs during the final three quarters of 2012, according to a recent disclosure. The pension system also revealed that its private equity portfolio delivered...
Capital Dynamics goes inside-out in China
After a decade spent exploring the possibilities, Capital Dynamic concluded that best way for a global fund-of-funds manager to properly penetrate the Chinese market was "inside-out" - work with people in Beijing who come from Beijing. This is the rational...
1Q analysis: Hard times
Mixed fortunes for Asia buyout funds on the road; large-cap deals weaken, but venture capital activity is on the rise; exits one of few bright spots thanks to spurt in trade sales