Fundraising
JBIC to commit $25m to Mizuho ASEAN fund
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will commit up to $25 million to Mizuho's new ASEAN-focused private equity fund.
Creador rushes to launch Fund II
“Despite our experience, and the fact we spent the last 12 years investing in India with success, I think a lot of people saw us as a first time fund,” says Brahmal Vasudevan, founder and CEO of Creador, recalling the difficulty his firm had in reaching...
Canary in the coal mine: GP economics under stress
Still dealing with the fallout from a fundraising boom, mid-market PE firms in Asia face the prospect of smaller vehicles in coming vintages, and team volatility comes as part of the package
Tata fund leverages parent’s brand
The Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF) was launched in 2011 with a mandate to invest into Tata Group companies as well as outside Indian firms. The manager, Tata Capital, announced a final fund close at $600 million last week, making it the largest India-focused...
TPG launches sale for China’s UniTrust
TPG Capital will begin the sales process for Shanghai-based finance and leasing company UniTrust this week. The deal is expected to be worth $800 million, with significant interest coming from other players in the leasing industry.
Carlyle launches Japan fund with $2b target - report
Carlyle is said to have launched its latest Japan-focused buyout fund with a target of $2 billion.
Creador sets $250m target for Fund II
Creador has launched its second fund, targeting $250 million, barely four months after closing its debut vehicle. The private equity firm, which focuses on India and Southeast Asia,expects to reach a first close in August.
Hopu’s Fang Fenglei to raise comeback fund
Fang Fenglei, a former Goldman Sachs banker and co-founder of China Hopu Investment Management, is looking to raise at least $2 billion for his new fund - three years after winding down the previous vehicle.
Korea's Kakao, government to launch start-up fund
South Korean mobile app developer Kakao has teamed up with the South Korean government to launch a KRW30 billion ($27 million) fund aimed at supporting start-ups. The Small & Medium Business Administration (SMBA) will back the Kakao Young Entrepreneur...
Armstrong expands team ahead of SE Asia cleantech fund close
Armstrong Asset Management, a Singapore-based investment firm, has appointed Yasushi Ujioka as investment director ahead of a final close on its Southeast Asian cleantech fund.
NYSTRS commits $85m to KKR’s second Asia fund
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has committed $85 million to KKR’s second Asia fund. The vehicle had received $4.8 billion from investors as of mid-April and is expected to announce a final close of $6 billion within the next two...
Japanese corporate pension funds boost alternatives exposure – J.P. Morgan
Japanese corporate pension funds are looking to increase their exposure to alternative assets - including private equity - according an annual survey by J.P. Morgan.
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...
Caspian makes debt breakthrough
After two funds and $120 million invested in equity stakes in small- and medium-sized Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs), Caspian Advisors has decided to change direction. It is launching the country's first pure debt multi-sector fund aimed at the...
JAIC spin-out seeks VC secondaries
Private equity secondary exits have seen a resurgence in Japan in the last two years, with more than $5.3 billion transacted. In only one year previously - 2007 - has deal value surpassed $1.3 billion. For two groups of industry participants, the prospects...
Caspian launches its first debt fund
Caspian Advisors is targeting $40 million for the first pure debt fund in India's social impact segment. The Caspian Impact Investments (CII) fund already has $10 million in commitments from FMO, Triodos Doen and Hivos-Triodos Fund and Gray Ghost Microfinance...
India's Essel launches $184m real estate fund
The private equity unit of India's Essel Financial Services is targeting INR5billion ($92 million) for its first real estate fund. It will invest in residential projects in large cities across the country.
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.
Ex-JAIC boss to launch Japan secondaries fund
Former JAIC CEO Moriyoshi Matsumoto, who was responsible for the group’s secondaries business, has spun out to create an independent secondary investment platform. WM Partners is targeting up to JPY10 billion ($102 million) for its debut fund, with...
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
Princeling funds: Who's your daddy?
Another month, another princeling fund. Okay, so they're not that prolific but there is a familiarity to PE platforms built upon the shoulders of Chinese leaders' offspring in terms of the nature of their emergence.
Capital Dynamics to launch $154m Japan-focused fund-of-funds
Switzerland-headquartered asset manager Capital Dynamics plans to launch a JPY15 billion ($154 million) Japan-focused fund-of-funds. A source familiar with the matter said Japanese corporate pension funds will be among the investors in the new vehicle,...
Noah's Gopher in $80m first close on China secondaries fund
Gopher Asset Management, the private equity arm of NASDAQ-listed Noah holdings, has reached a first close of RMB500 million ($80 million) on its debut China secondaries fund.