Fundraising
Hopu supports $1.5b Noble Agri deal, reaches first close on Fund II
A consortium led by Hopu Investments will take a minority position in an agribusiness joint venture being set up by Chinese agricultural conglomerate COFCO Corporation and Noble Group, an agriculture and energy supply chain manager.
IFC to support Brummer's second Bangladesh fund
International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest up to $20 million in Frontier Bangladesh II, a $100 million fund being raised by Swedish alternative asset manager Brummer & Partners.
A Capital targets $1.38b for Sino-European tech fund
Sino-European PE firm A Capital has launched a EUR1 billion ($1.38 billion) technology fund to invest in European innovative firms. It will help them expand into emerging markets, in particular China.
China gaming firm Ourpalm commits $16m to Huatai M&A fund
Ourpalm, a Shenzhen-listed mobile games developer, has committed RMB100 million ($16 million) to Beijing Huatia Ruilian M&A Fund, a new investment vehicle managed by Huatai United Securities, an investment banking arm of Huatai Securities.
Cathay Capital launches $687m Sino-French Fund
Cathay Capital, a Sino-French private equity firm, has launched a EUR500 million ($687 million) fund to promote the international expansion of French and Chinese companies in the mid-cap segment.
China Aier Eye Hospital invests in Huatai Securities' M&A fund
Shenzhen-listed Aier Eye Hospital Group plans to commit RMB100 million ($16 million) to an M&A fund managed by Huatai United Securities, an investment banking arm of Huatai Securities.
The soft middle
What has become of the mid-market GP in Asia? If there is one area of the fundraising landscape that has hollowed out in the last year or so, this is it, giving credence to the notion of bifurcation.
GVFL eyes $1b fund for Japanese ventures in India
Indian private equity investor Gujarat Venture Finance Limited (GVFL) will launch a $1 billion fund targeting Japanese enterprises in Gujarat - its largest vehicle to date.
Japanese banks commit to CVC's fourth Asia fund
CVC Capital Partners has received $100 million in commitments from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SMTB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for its fourth Asia fund, which is expected to close above its $3.5 billion hard cap.
Altius, Castling team up to target Korean institutional investors
Castling Investment Group has formed a strategic alliance with Altius Associates to jointly distribute private equity, real assets and infrastructure products to South Korean investors.
IDFC raises debut India real estate fund
IDFC Alternatives has reached a final close of INR7.5 billion ($123 million) on its debut India real estate fund.
Qiming raises $500m for China VC fund - update
Qiming Venture Partners has raised approximately $500 million for its fourth US dollar-denominated China venture capital fund.
China Aier Eye Hospital invests in Qianhai M&A fund
Shenzhen-listed Aier Eye Hospital Group has launched an M&A fund with China Orient Asset Management with a view to bringing about consolidation in the ophthalmology industry.
DCM bets bigger on China
DCM's latest global fund is smaller than its two predecessors because Silicon Valley-based general partners, Carl Amdahl and co-founder Dixon Doll, are stepping down. As a result, there will be fewer US investments, but China is expected to play a more...
Stapled secondaries: Shades of gray
Secondary restructuring opportunities are on the rise in Asia, but investors are wary of giving managers fresh primary capital on top. Deal flow is hard to source, even harder to execute, and highly bespoke
50 China PE firms win licenses from AMAC
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC), a group set up by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has issued licenses to the first batch of 50 private equity firms in China, allowing them to legally offer asset management products....
Unison Capital targets $581m for Japan fund
Japanese mid-market buyout firm Unison Capital is targeting JPY60 billion ($581 million) for its fourth Japan fund. The fund - which launched in early February - is scheduled for a first close by the summer.
Yunfeng seeks $1b for second China tech fund
Yunfeng Capital, a Chinese private equity firm established by Jack Ma and David Yu, founders of Alibaba Group and Target Media, respectively, is raising around $1 billion for its second fund. A first close of $600 million came last year and a final close...
Templeton reaches final close on fourth emerging markets fund
Franklin Templeton has reached a final close of more than $220 million on its latest emerging markets fund. The vehicle, which launched in March 2012 with a target of $300 million, has already made three investments.
GF Securities, Alpha Animation launch China media fund
GF Xinde Investment, an investment arm of Chinese broker GF Securities, has established a RMB100 million ($16 million) PE fund with Shenzhen-listed toy maker Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture. It will invest in internet and media companies.
Blackbird set for $22m close on Australia VC fund
Australian VC firm Blackbird Ventures will reach a final close on its debut fund by the end of April with around A$25 million ($22.7 million) in capital commitments. There will be approximately 90 LPs, predominantly the founders of Australian tech start-ups...
Australian LPs still struggling with co-investment - AVCJ Forum
Australian LPs are increasingly keen on direct investment for the most part alongside portfolio GPs but not all groups are able to build and retain the resources required to participate effectively.
Jiuding Capital reaches $150m first close on US dollar fund
China’s Jiuding Capital has reached a $150 million first close on its second US dollar-denominated vehicle. Investors include sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies from North America and Asia.
China ZJ Capital targets $50m co-investment VC fund
Zhijing Capital Management (ZJ Capital), a Shanghai-based early-stage VC firm, is seeking $50 million for its debut US dollar-denominated fund. The vehicle will make co-investments in Chinese start-ups.