Fundraising
Formation 8 raises $448m, eyes US-Asia VC opportunities
Formation 8, a start-up venture capital firm that targets US businesses with the potential to expand into Asia, has raised $448 million for its debut fund. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, the firm has eight operating professionals based out of offices...
University of Michigan commits to Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia IV
The University of Michigan has committed $25 million to Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia’s (MSPEA) fourth pan-regional fund. The vehicle, which reached a first close of $750 million towards the end of last year after less than six months in the market,...
India’s Zephyr Peacock reaches second close on Fund III
India-focused GP Zephyr Peacock has reached a second close of $70 million on its third fund. The vehicle, which launched in November 2011, has a final target of $150 million. A first close of $50 million came one year ago.
Carlyle passes $1b mark on fourth Asia buyout fund
The Carlyle Group has raised more than $1 billion for its fourth Asia buyout fund, having reached a first close of $700 million last December, according to sources familiar with the situation. The private equity firm is targeting a final close of $3.5...
Malaysia plans $500m global halal fund
Malaysia-based specialist private equity firm Azka Capital will manage a MYR1.55 billion ($503 million) fund focused on global opportunities in the halal industry. It is expected to acquire companies in the food and agri-business sector and reorient them...
Indiareit makes two investments, plans new fund
Indiareit Fund Advisors, the real estate PE arm backed by Indian entrepreneur Ajay Piramal, has invested INR2 billion ($37 million) in real estate projects and is reportedly set to launch a $300 million offshore fund next month.
Australia’s Anchorage closes Fund II at $260m hard cap
Australia-based special situations and turnaround specialist Anchorage Capital Partners has reached a first and final close on its second fund at the hard cap of A$250 million ($260 million). The vehicle, which came in oversubscribed, spent less than...
New Mexico State Investment Council commits to Affinity Fund IV
New Mexico State Investment Council (NMSIC) has agreed to invest up to $75 million in Affinity Equity Partners’ fourth pan-Asia fund. The vehicle reached a first close of $1.5 billion in early March and has a hard cap of $3.5 billion.
IFC may anchor Thailand-focused Lakeshore fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a commitment of up to $20 million to Lakeshore Capital Fund I, a Thailand-focused GP that is seeking to raise $100 million.
Three Australian VC firms receive IIF backing
Venture capital funds run by M.H. Carngie & Co, GBS Venture Partners and Innovation Capital will receive A$100 million ($105 million) from the Australian government through the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) scheme. This capital will be matched dollar-for-dollar...
Australia VC: New faces
A new generation of VC firms is emerging in Australia, despite little appetite for the asset class from domestic LPs. Success hinges on leveraging Silicon Valley networks and targeting particular market niches
Indonesia webinar: Turning hype into returns
Indonesia has emerged as the next big thing in Asian PE, but there are concerns about rising valuations and whether the market is deep enough to meet expectations. Industry participants share their views
On rocky ground: PE’s Mongolia risk factor
Rich in mining resources, Mongolia has a bright economic future, but vulnerability to commodity price shocks and an uncertain political climate have made many investors wary of taking the risk
Qianhai funds win approval to raise RMB in Hong Kong - report
Chinese regulators have reportedly given the green light for private equity firms operating in Shenzhen's Qianhai region to raise renminbi offshore to invest in mainland.
Canaan Partners to invest $100m in Indian tech
Silicon Valley venture capital investor Canaan Partners is to invest $100 million in India over the next four years from its $600 million ninth fund.
China distress-focused GP Shoreline raises $303m for Fund II
Shoreline Capital, a China-focused special situations investor, has closed its second fund at $303 million. It comes after distress-focused investors in Asia raised a cumulative $2.4 billion in 2012, the highest level seen in six years.
New Jersey commits $500m to Blackstone’s debut Asia real estate fund
New Jersey Division of Investment plans to commit $500 million to The Blackstone Group’s debut Asia real estate fund. The vehicle’s existence was confirmed last December when Tony James, Blackstone’s president, told a conference that it was a “golden...
Siemens sets up RMB venture fund
The venture capital arm of Siemens Financial Services (SFS VC), has set up a dedicated renminbi-denominated investment vehicle. The size of the fund has not been disclosed
New Zealand's Pencarrow reaches final close of $101m on Fund IV
New Zealand-based GP Pencarrow Private Equity has reached a final close on its latest fund at NZ$124 million ($101 million).
Australia's Blackbird Ventures reaches first close on VC fund
Sydney-based VC firm Blackbird Ventures has reached a first close of A$20 million on its A$30 million ($31 million) internet-focused venture capital fund.
Morgan Creek to deploy over half of Fund II in China – report
Morgan Creek Capital reportedly plans to deploy at least 60% of its next Asian fund-of-funds in China. The vehicle, the firm’s second dedicated to the region, has a target of $300 million.
Neuberger Berman has final close on $1.1b global co-invest fund
Neuberger Berman Group has reached a final close of $1.1 billion on its second global co-investment fund, NB Strategic Co-Investment Partners Fund II (NBCIP II). The original target was $750 million.
Kotak Mahindra reaches $90m first close on India infra fund
Kotak Mahindra has reached a first close on its infrastructure fund with commitments of $90 million. Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Brookfield Asset Management have come in as cornerstone investors.
Indonesia fundraising: Reality check
Few Indonesia-focused GPs that sprung up in recent years have made headway. It points to a still immature local market and recognition amongst LPs that they can get exposure to the country in other ways