ESG
Impact investment: Gray areas
The notion of delivering measurable positive social and environmental impact while simultaneously generating risk-adjusted financial returns has struck a chord with many LPs. But impact strategies can still be a tough sell
LPs rank attitude higher than policy in ESG – AVCJ Forum
Investing with an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mindset in Asia is more important than having an ESG policy, LPs told the AVCJ ESG Forum.
ESG in Asia: Maturing perspectives
Asian investors are growing more confident in their approaches to environmental, social, and governance issues, but policies must be flexible enough to handle unforeseen complications
LPs and infrastructure: Custom connections
LPs are mixing up their approaches to infrastructure as shifts in supply-demand dynamics converge with increased specialization requirements in next-generation projects. Asia remains the unproven goldmine
PE and diversity: Reaching out
Should the private equity industry's efforts to redress its gender balance extend to selling students on the asset class as a fulfilling, long-term career option?
Women in PE: Change on the agenda
As the private equity industry continues to formalize its approach to gender diversity, deep cultural changes will define the difference between best intentions and best practice
Women on corporate boards: Finding a voice
Investor pressure and industry lobbying has contributed to a rise in female representation on corporate boards. While quotas work for some, they aren’t necessarily the silver bullet
Q&A: Betatron's Erika Cheung
Erika Cheung, who helped bring the fraud at Theranos to the attention of regulators, discusses her current role as an advisor at Hong Kong accelerator Betatron and the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs
Women in PE: Mind the gap
Gender diversity within private equity is an increasing priority for LPs and GPs alike. Addressing problems around the recruitment and retention of women requires fundamental changes in culture and mindset
Q&A: CalSTRS' Chris Ailman
Chris Ailman, CIO of California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), discusses why – and how – private equity managers should be placing greater emphasis on diversity
LP interview: Media Super
Media Super has distinguished itself among larger competitors in Australia by maintaining substantial exposure to alternatives. PE is fading from the allocation mix but VC beckons
Q&A: Jupiter Impact Partners' Melissa Kang
Melissa Kang helped raise Morgan Stanley’s first global impact fund before striking out on her own with Jupiter Impact Partners. She explains why Southeast Asia should prove fertile ground for the strategy
Temasek launches Asia impact fund
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has set up a private equity fund that will make impact investments, primarily in developing Asia.
Governance standards: A matter of integrity
Traditionally the overlooked, underappreciated or misrepresented facet of ESG, governance is gaining prominence in emerging markets private equity as investors reassess risk exposure
Dai-ichi Life backs energy-focused Japan VC fund
Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance has agreed to invest JPY1 billion ($9.1 million) in a venture fund managed by local energy and cleantech specialist Energy & Environment Investment (EEI).
Asian PE firms still struggle with tech investments - Bain & Co
Private equity firms are deploying increasing amounts of capital into Chinese internet plays without having a clear understanding of what the target businesses are worth or how to add value to them, according to Bain & Company.
China ESG: Societal shift
China’s ESG compliance drive reflects a long structural change for financial markets and an evolutionary process for local business culture. Many investment variables are unique
Q&A: Tata Group's Mukund Rajan
Tata Group ethics and sustainability veteran Mukund Rajan has helped pair some former colleagues with Quantum Advisors to tackle a messy environmental, social, and governance (ESG) situation in India
India's Quantum launches $1b ESG fund
Indian asset management and equity research firm Quantum Advisors has launched a $1 billion investment fund that will take a PE-style approach to driving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) improvements in listed companies.
LP interview: Sweden's AP2
Swedish pension fund AP2 could be about to see a significant jump in its private equity allocation. Head of alternatives Anders Strömblad outlines what the organization looks for in prospective portfolio GPs
GP-LP communication key to effective ESG policy – AVCJ Forum
Continued uptake of meaningful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies in private equity will depend on fostering deeper dialogue on the subject between GPs and LPs, according to industry participants at the AVCJ ESG Forum.
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
Operational value-add: Sign of the times
Budding interest in operational value-add marks a new level of maturity in Asian private equity. Trial-and-error experimentation has progressed slower than the macro motivators
Emerging markets ESG: Alliances of convenience
Portfolio companies in Asia’s emerging markets are increasingly enthusiastic about implementing environment, social and governance (ESG) policies, but only when they see clear benefits for their business