ESG
Singapore's Incomlend gets $60m for SME ESG financing program
Singapore’s Incomlend, a financial technology provider for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has raised $60 million for an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) financing program.
ESG best practice: From global to granular
The value creation-driven PE playbook on ESG in Asia converts marginal gains into big picture policy wins – provided investors focus on the right areas and the flow of information isn’t stymied
Carlyle joins $221m round for Japan's Spiber
The Carlyle Group’s Japan team has completed its first minority deal, participating as a cornerstone investor in a JPY24.4 billion ($221 million) round for local biomaterials developer Spiber.
Advantage, Tokyo Century agree Japan battery carve-out
Advantage Partners is making another investment alongside Tokyo Century Corporation – which bought a stake in the GP two years ago – with an agreement to buy a battery business controlled by local conglomerate Showa Denko.
Japan's Advantage adds renewables strategy
Japan’s Advantage Partners has broadened its investment scope with the introduction of a renewables and sustainability strategy.
PE & gambling: Ante up
Private equity has exhibited consistent appetite for gambling-related assets amid pandemic-fueled uncertainty. Regulation remains a significant wildcard in Asia. Reputational risk, not so much
Singapore's Circulate launches VC fund to disrupt plastics waste
Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investor dedicated to stemming plastic waste pollution in South and Southeast Asia, has achieved a $14 million first close on a new venture capital fund.
LPs see no let-up in pace of new commitments - survey
More than half of LPs continue to establish new GP relationships at the same rate as before the pandemic, according to the latest installment of Coller Capital’s global private equity barometer survey.
Myanmar: Asia’s anguish
Myanmar has proven unique among Asia’s frontier markets in terms of volatility and risk. As its ongoing humanitarian and political catastrophe deepens, a sense of helplessness has taken root
Ex-Goldman Japan strategist launches ESG VC fund
Kathy Matsui, formerly vice chair and chief Japan strategist at Goldman Sachs, has launched what is described as Japan’s first global venture capital fund focused on environment, social and governance (ESG).
Profile: Adamantem Capital’s Rob Koczkar
After swapping a career in private equity for a role in philanthropy, Rob Koczkar returned to the asset class with Adamantem Capital – but brought strong beliefs on sustainability and inclusion with him
Deal focus: Rethinking Australia’s biggest resource
Adamantem Capital’s acquisition of carbon farming specialist Climate Friendly recognizes the increasing sophistication of the Australian carbon credit market as well as its room for improvement
Australia's Adamantem acquires carbon offset company
Australia’s Adamantem Capital has acquired a controlling stake in Climate Friendly, a local carbon offset consultancy, for an undisclosed sum.
ESG scoring: Measured approach
Investors are encouraged to keep experimenting in quantifying and qualifying the real-world outcomes of their sustainable investment programs. Every report is imperfect yet worthwhile
Q&A: Everstone Group's Sameer Sain
Sameer Sain, co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based and India-focused Everstone Group, explains why he’s doubling down on ESG and on a hands-on buyout strategy that prioritizes bargain hunting
ESG & operations: Compliance corner
Few mid-market private equity firms in Asia have dedicated ESG personnel and this is not necessarily an obstacle to progress. As compliance and reporting burdens increase, the status quo may change
Myanmar: Coup confusion
Myanmar's isolationism is likely to be harder to maintain this time should the military seek a return to its old ways. Investors are watching and waiting, but should they also be considering the ESG implications?
AVCJ Awards 2020: Responsible Investment: Canvest Environment
Olympus Capital has guided China’s Canvest Environment from polluting waste-to-energy minnow to category leader in operational scope and sustainability credentials
Q&A: Office of New York City Comptroller's Wendy Garcia
Wendy Garcia, chief diversity officer for the Office of New York City Comptroller discusses her team’s diversity and inclusion objectives and what this means for GPs seeking allocations from city’s pension funds
Asia fund administration: Odd jobs
COVID-19 is the latest in a growing list of drivers causing private equity firms to outsource various operations. The trend is implacable but inherently flexible
Australia's VC-backed Xpansiv raises $40m pre-IPO round
Australia and US-based Xpansiv CBL, a VC-backed marketplace for clean commodities such as carbon offsets and renewable fuels, has raised $40 million with plans to list in Sydney this year.