Fundraising
Qianhai offers RMB funds fast track
Renminbi-denominated private equity funds will get special dispensation to raise capital in Hong Kong through a new pilot project in Shenzhen. As ever, the devil is in the detail, which has yet to be fully explained
SBI teams up with China’s Yidian to launch PE Fund
SBI Holdings has partnered with China’s Yidian Holdings to launch a private equity fund that will invest in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector. The initial fundraising target is RMB400 million ($62.9 million).
NBA star Yao Ming steps into private equity - report
Yao Ming, China's former NBA star, has reportedly invested in two private equity funds since 2011. The funds are between them targeting about RMB6.6 billion ($1.1 billion).
CalPERS invests $530m in two China-focused property funds
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has committed $530 million to two China-focused real estate funds run by ARA Asset Management, a Singapore-listed affiliate of Cheung Kong Holdings.
GGV receives commitments of $509m for fund IV
GGV Capital, the US and China-focused venture capital investor, has raised $508.9 million for its fourth fund. In addition to the main fund, the VC firm has attracted $10.8 million for a side vehicle known as GGV Capital IV Entrepreneurs Fund.
Origo secures $60m for China cleantech fund, targets first close by year end
Origo Partners, a London-listed private equity investor focused exclusively on China, has received $60 million in commitments for a $200 million fund targeting cleantech companies.
China slowdown hampers emerging markets fundraising, investment
Fundraising by private equity firms focused on emerging markets reached $17.2 billion in the first six months of 2012, or nearly half of the $38.5 billion raised in 2011 as a whole, with a spike in emerging Europe counterbalancing a slowdown in China....
PCCW to invest $25m in Vision Knight Capital
PCCW, Hong Kong’s biggest telecommunications operator, said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it may invest as much as $25 million in Vision Knight Capital, a private equity fund co-founded by David Wei, former CEO of Alibaba.com.
Tata Capital in talks with PFC to launch $1b PE fund
Tata Capital is reportedly in talks with India’s Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to launch a $1 billion private equity energy fund. The private equity player will own 49% of the joint venture, with the remainder held by PFC. Around $300 million is expected...
Armstrong announces first close of cleantech fund on $65m
Singapore-based clean energy investor Armstrong Asset Management has announced a first close on $65 million for its maiden fund, which will focus on clean energy projects across Southeast Asia.
Yimou Zhang sets up $315m personal film fund - report
Leading Chinese filmmaker Yimou Zhang has reportedly been raising a private equity fund with Kunhong Media, a private investment manager focusing on the entertainment industry, in the last six months. The target size of the fund is RMB2 billion ($315...
Capsquare eyes early-stage Indonesia
There's little doubt that Indonesia is the flavor of the month in private equity circles at present, but questions remain over deal access. Information on private companies is sparse, local relationships rule, entrepreneurs are wary of selling equity...
Philippines launches first infra fund
The decision to become the first-ever Philippines-dedicated infrastructure fund can’t have been easy one. As with any vehicle, a number of criteria needed to be in place to ensure the success of the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure...
Offshore investors: Leap into the unknown
With commitments from domestic LPs easing off, Australian, Japanese and Korean GPs are looking to raise capital from overseas investors. They are entering new territory and some are better prepared than others
PE a key focus for institutions investing in Asia – survey
Institutions investing in Asia plan to make private equity and other alternative assets a key focus, according to a new survey.
Asia Alternatives raises $1.5b, closes third fund
Asia Alternatives has raised $1.5 billion to invest in private equity and venture capital across Asia. The corpus is divided between $908 million for its Asia Alternatives Capital Partners III vehicle and another $600 million in separate accounts. This...
Daewoo to set up $1b fund with US partner
South Korean brokerage Daewoo Securities’ Hong Kong unit has reportedly teamed up with a US-based private equity firm to set up a $1 billion fund to invest in social infrastructure projects.
VC fund to help restore Australia’s Olympic dominance
The chairman of a body that introduces sports technology businesses to the commercial market is reportedly attempting to raise A$60 million ($63 million) for a venture capital fund designed to help restore Australia’s dominance in the Olympic Games.
Australian tech entrepreneurs to create VC fund
A group of Australian technology entrepreneurs have joined forces to create a new venture capital fund, Blackbird Ventures.
Motilal Oswal PE in $87m second close on new fund
Motilal Oswal Private Equity has reached a second close of INR4.86 billion ($87 million) on its India Business Excellence Fund II, with Squadron Capital reportedly among the investors. The fund is expected to achieve a final close by the end of the year.
Innovation Works raises $148m for fund II, yet to reach close
Innovation Works, the tech incubator started by Google’s former China head Kai-fu Lee, has so raised $148 million for its second fund. Lee confirmed to Sina that fundraising efforts began in April, but didn’t disclose the target size or details of...
Indonesia’s Capsquare achieves first close on debut fund
Indonesian GP Capsquare Asia Partners has reached a first close on its debut fund, having raised three-quarters of the capital required to meet its $75 million full target. A final close is expected in the fourth quarter of 2012, perhaps as soon as late...
Apollo launches two Asia real estate funds
Apollo Global Management has launched two funds that will invest in commercial real estate in Asia, seeking up to $750 million in capital. It comes barely three months after the private equity firm disclosed that it has raised about $255 million for an...
China's NDRC backs Gobi’s second RMB fund
China’s National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) has invested RMB50 million ($7.9 million) in Gobi Partners' second renminbi-denominated fund. The latest injection takes the Yingzhi RMB Fund to RMB350 million in size.