Hong Kong (China)
ShawKwei buys Australia beauty, healthcare company
ShawKwei & Partners has acquired Australia’s Rauxel, a beauty and healthcare industry supplier, for an undisclosed sum. It will be merged with existing portfolio company Icons Beauty Group.
PAG files for Hong Kong IPO
PAG, which has seen its assets under management (AUM) across private equity, credit, and real assets grow 6x to more than USD 50bn in the past decade, has become the first large-cap Asian manager to file for an IPO.
Hong Kong digital asset custodian Hex Trust raises $88m
Hong Kong-based digital asset custodian Hex Trust has raised a USD 88m Series B round co-led by local counterpart Animoca Brands and US crypto specialist Liberty City Ventures.
PE-owned Fitness First winds down in Hong Kong
Private equity-owned Fitness First has wound down its Hong Kong business, which accounts for eight out of approximately 90 centres in a network that extends into Southeast Asia, as pandemic-related restrictions took their toll.
CDH CEO leads Hong Kong SPAC
Shuge Jiao, CEO of CDH Investments, is chairing a Hong Kong special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sponsored by one of the China-based private equity firm’s portfolio companies.
Deal focus: ADV’s Asia hygiene platform play
ISS Environmental Services is well-positioned as Hong Kong’s preferred provider of portable toilets. But ADV Partners has acquired the business with a view to executing a regional roll-up strategy
Hong Kong's Future Fund to set up tech investment pool
A HKD 5bn (USD 640m) strategic tech fund will be established under Hong Kong’s Future Fund as part of an initiative to make direct investments that underpin the territory’s status as a hub for finance, commerce, and innovation as well as generate...
Hong Kong game developer 6Waves bought by European strategic
6Waves, a Hong Kong-based mobile game developer that previously received funding from Insight Partners, has been acquired by Swedish gaming studio Stillfront Group for USD 201m, comprising cash and shares.
Blue Owl recruits Pak-Seng Lai from UBS
Blue Owl Capital, a US alternatives manager expanding its Hong Kong operations, has hired Pak-Seng Lai, a managing director at UBS, to head its Asia Pacific private wealth business.
Fund focus: Ion Pacific goes institutional
Pitching a niche VC capital secondaries strategy with a meaningful focus on Asia isn’t easy, but Ion Pacific raised nearly 4x more than last time with large family offices well-represented in the LP base
Gobi-managed Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund hits first close
Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund II, a Greater Bay Area-focused vehicle managed by Gobi Partners, reached a first close of USD 100m at the end of June 2021 and total commitments now stand at USD 120m.
LionRock launches Hong Kong SPAC
LionRock Capital, an Asian private equity firm that invests in global consumer brands with a China growth angle, is among the first group of sponsors launching special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's Animoca Brands raises $359m at $5b valuation
US-based Liberty City Ventures has led a USD 359m round for Hong Kong blockchain media company Animoca Brands at a pre-money valuation of USD 5bn, more than double its valuation in October.
Metaverse: Too concrete to ignore
As lives lived online find a virtual world to call home, investors, brands, governments, corporations, and accountants follow them in. Real estate, avatars, and new ideas are in demand. Goggles are not
Family offices to mix caution with courage in 2022
Conservatism in a post-pandemic world must be redefined to include flexibility and exposure to progressive industries, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia forum heard.
TA promotes Hong Kong-based Andrew Tay to principal
TA Associates has promoted Andrew Tay, a Hong Kong-based investment professional, from director to principal.
Hong Kong seeks compromise on local SPAC provisions
Hong Kong has compromised on several points of contention in its special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) guidelines, notably removing a requirement that investors can only redeem their shares post-merger if they vote against the deal.
Hong Kong's Brinc raises $130m for blockchain programs
Hong Kong accelerator Brinc has raised $130 million for blockchain-related accelerator programs and a global expansion with support from Animoca Brands, a local segment leader backed by several VCs.
Blue Owl buys Asia-based placement agent
US alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital has acquired Hong Kong placement agent Ascentium with a view to establishing a physical presence in the territory and pursuing a broader regional expansion.
Jardine Matheson leads $37m round for Hong Kong's Pickupp
Jardine Matheson has led a $37 million Series B round for Hong Kong-based package delivery start-up Pickupp.
Navis sells Asia inspection business to CDPQ
Navis Capital Partners has sold its minority interest in Qima, an Asia-focused testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) business to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), following a four-year holding period.
LP interview: Pictet
Switzerland-headquartered private bank Pictet is adding headcount in Asia – to assess investments as well as woo clients – as the introduction of new strategies increases exposure to the region
CVC backs take-private of Hong Kong-listed Razer
CVC Capital Partners is supporting a proposed founder-led privatization of Hong Kong-listed gaming hardware and software provider Razer that values the business at HK$24.7 billion ($3.17 billion).
China biotech IPOs in Hong Kong to stay strong - AVCJ Forum
The frenzy for Chinese biotech developers listing in Hong Kong is expected to continue well into 2022, industry participants told the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum.