professional services
Fund T&C: Carrot and stick
Fee discounts and co-investment often dominate GP-LP discourse, but longer-term issues surrounding economics and governance are increasingly important to negotiations over some Asian GPs’ fund terms
Asia-based diligence provider Poseidon bought by Exiger
The Poseidon Group, a Hong Kong and Singapore-based due diligence and business intelligence provider, has been acquired by global regulatory risk and compliance player Exiger.
Partners Group to open office in Manila
Switzerland-based global private markets investment manager Partners Group will open an office in Manila as part of its Asia expansion.
China's CIC backs buyout of French property services player
China Investment Corporation (CIC) has joined a consortium to acquire French property services company Foncia for EUR1.8 billion ($2 billion).
Baring-owned Vistra acquires Indian professional services group
Vistra, a Hong Kong-based corporate services provider owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, has acquired Indian professional services group Ujwal Management Services.
Edelweiss invests in India's Bridgei2i
Edelweiss Private Equity has invested an undisclosed amount of Series A growth capital in India’s Bridgei2i Analytics Solutions, an enterprise services company focused on big data.
The communicators: Investor relations in Asia
GPs in Asia are devoting more resources to investor relations in response to increased reporting requirements and a challenging fundraising environment. But finding the right IR formula is not easy
PE investors see value in forward planning on operational improvement
Operational strategies should be defined in detail well before any financial commitment is made, according to industry participants at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association's (HKVCA) China summit.
China fund administration: In or out?
Whether they are US dollar managers upgrading their LP bases or renminbi GPs tapping offshore investors for the first time, China PE firms increasingly see the reputational value of independent administration
Deal focus: EQT thinks quality before M&A activity
EQT Partners wants corporate services provider InCorp Group to achieve greater operational efficiency as well as go on the acquisition trail in Asia
EQT invests in Singapore's In.Corp Group
EQT Partners has invested in Singapore-based corporate services provider In.Corp Group with a view to consolidating the company’s local presence and driving regional expansion.
The gathering storm: Preparing portfolio companies for a downturn
As warning signals of a global economic downturn become increasingly convincing, private equity portfolio companies are likely to come under pressure. Investors are advised to prepare carefully
XIO Group to buy JD Power for $1.1b
XIO Group, which targets assets in North America and Europe with a view to unlocking growth potential in emerging markets such as Asia, has agreed to acquire market research business J.D. Power for $1.1 billion.
Reputational due diligence: No stone unturned
Thorough reputational due diligence can find both potential deal-breakers and opportunities for improvement. Are PE firms taking it to the necessary depth in emerging markets like India?
Bain, GIC, Advent buy minority stake in Quest Global
Bain Capital, GIC, and Advent International have bought a minority stake in Indian engineering services outsourcing firm Quest Global for $350 million, providing an exit for Warburg Pincus.
Deal focus: EQT leverages corporate compliance
EQT Partners is backing Elevate's audit-plus model to deliver differentiated value in a global testing, inspection and certification market that is already supported by strong tailwinds
Singapore's EDBI, TAL Education in $52m round for US-based Knewton
New York-based adaptive learning system developer Knewton has raised $52 million from a consortium of investors including EDBI - the corporate VC arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board - and Chinese education company TAL Education Group.
Wipro Ventures leads $4m round for India's Altizon
Wipro Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Indian technology company Wipro Group, has led a $4 million Series A round for internet development platform provider Altizon Systems.
EQT buys Hong Kong social compliance assessment business
EQT Partners has bought a majority stake in Hong Kong-based social compliance assessment and improvement service Elevate.
Singapore's Eyeota raises $7m Series A round
Global Brain, Infinity e.Ventures and Project A Ventures have committed $7 million in Series A funding to Singapore-based adtech company Eyeota.
Olympus, CX Partners lead $60m round for India's Nspira
Olympus Capital Asia Credit and CX Partners' India mezzanine fund have led a INR4 billion ($59 million) round for Indian management service provider Nspira.
Monument promotes Niklas Amundsson to partner
Niklas Amundsson, who joined Monument Group from MVision last year as managing director of the firm’s Hong Kong office, has been promoted to partner.
Northern Light joins $25m round for US-based Shape Security
Northern Light Venture Capital has joined a $25 million Series D round for US online security start-up Shape Security, with a view to supporting the company's expansion in China.
Japan CRM start-up raises $16.9m Series C
Japanese customer relationship management (CRM) software developer Sansan has raised a S$24.2 million ($16.9 million) Series C round led by DCM.