regulation
US Congressional committee targets Sequoia's China exposure
Sequoia Capital has been targeted by a US Congressional committee seeking more details on its investments in semiconductors, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) in China over the past 13 years.
LPACs: Conflicts and complexity
The combination of a maturing Asian private equity landscape and a fast-emerging continuation fund opportunity is placing greater emphasis on the role of the LP advisory committee
China VC: Amicable divorces
Regulatory pressures are encouraging Chinese VC firms to end longstanding US affiliations, but the impact of impending legislation – even sight unseen – cuts deeper into investor sentiment on China
China regulators look to streamline private equity oversight
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed off on new regulations aimed at facilitating private equity investment and guiding it into policy-aligned areas like semiconductors and biotech.
HKEX relaxes rules for IPOs by pre-profit tech companies
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has loosened its listing requirements to allow pre-profit technology companies to go public with market capitalisations as low as HKD 6bn (USD 764m).
Hong Kong PE stalwart John Levack dies aged 64
John Levack, who spent over two decades with Electra Partners Asia and was a long-serving board member at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (HKVCA), has died aged 64.
Regulator raises the qualification bar for Chinese GPs
China has introduced minimum paid-up capital requirements for local private equity firms that could force smaller, less sophisticated players out of the market.
Singapore to top-up SME co-investment programme
Singapore has earmarked an additional SGD 150m (USD 112m) for a co-investment fund that will invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of efforts to help local companies scale and become globally competitive.
AirTree, Greycroft back Australia's FrankieOne
Australia’s AirTree Ventures and US-based Greycroft have led a AUD 23m (USD 15.5m) investment in Melbourne-based fraud prevention platform FrankieOne, lifting its Series A round to AUD 45.7m.
China looks to boost PE participation by domestic insurers
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked regulators to encourage investment by insurance companies in private equity and venture capital through measures such as shorter post-IPO lock-up periods.
Shenzhen investors offered cash handouts for Hong Kong IPOs
Shenzhen-based venture capital investors will receive one-off cash rewards for taking companies public in Hong Kong and sponsoring special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) that list on the territory’s stock exchange.
Renminbi GPs wary of government guidance funds as LPs
Chinese government guidance funds represent a potentially rich source of capital for managers in the renminbi-denominated space, but some are reluctant to take it, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association's (HKVCA) China forum heard.
China outbound: Organic options
Tough domestic competition is encouraging Chinese tech start-ups to expand overseas – often organically, earlier in their lifecycles than before, and despite regulatory concerns
Sequoia promises greater vigilence on governance in India, SE Asia
Sequoia Capital India has pledged a strong response to “wilful misconduct or fraud” in its portfolio following scandals at companies in India and Southeast Asia.
US regulations: Coming to Asia
Newly proposed rules for private equity fundraising and reporting in the US are set to be applicable to any manager in Asia that raises US capital. Investors should be alert but not alarmed
US GP invests $30m in Australia's Protecht
US venture capital and private equity firm Arrowroot Capital has invested AUD 42m (USD 30m) in Australian enterprise risk management software and services provider Protecht Group.
China IPOs: Offshore angst
Private equity exit timelines were thrown into disarray last year when US IPOs abruptly stopped. Regulators have offered some clarity, but investors are unsure when – or if – the magic will return
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.
China cleantech: Policy tailwinds
Private equity investment in China cleantech and renewables is at record levels, spurred by robust government support for the industry and a recognition that this time the boom might be sustainable
China e-commerce: Chaos in the community
With investor sentiment on China’s technology sector cooling, community group buying platforms are battling to conserve cash. This has done little for the government’s anti-monopoly drive
China investors see primary, secondary valuation mismatch - AVCJ Forum
Investors told the AVCJ China Forum they believe low valuations in the country’s secondary markets will begin to appear in the primary market. But they are positive on the long-term.
GPs see more paths to liquidity in Southeast Asia - AVCJ Forum
SPAC deals and GP-led secondary transactions are bringing more liquidity options to Southeast Asia, a geography where private equity investors have often struggled to achieve exits, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum.
China take-privates: Holding pattern
Pressure is mounting on Chinese companies listed in New York, from domestic and US regulators. Is another wave of PE-backed take-privates imminent?