Southeast Asia
PE & PR: Private equity's public face
Private equity is more entrenched and better understood in some Asian markets than others. What do the various stakeholders - entrepreneurs, government, media, public - make of the asset class?
Q&A: L Capital Asia's Ravi Thakran
L Capital Asia, a private equity firm sponsored by LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, was set up in 2008 and closed its first fund in 2010. Managing Partner Ravi Thakran tells AVCJ what makes the firm different
SE Asian private equity deals to rebound in 2013 - Bain & Co
Southeast Asia’s private-equity investments are expected to pick up next year as the region’s improving economic outlook attract new funds, said Sebastien Lamy, a partner at Bain & Co. He projects transactions across the region in 2012 to match last year’s...
KV Asia reaches first close of more than $100m
KV Asia Capital has reached a first close on its debut fund of more than $100 million. The full target is $250 million, which will be deployed in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia expected to feature prominently.
Ekuinas acquires Malaysian shipping services provider
Ekuinas, the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, has completed a MYR220.9 million ($72.3 million) buyout of OMNI Petromaritime, a company that provides offshore support vessels to the oil and gas industry. Ekuinas acquired an 82.5% stake in OMNI for MYR150.9...
Carlyle completes first Southeast Asia deal
The Carlyle Group has made its first investment in Indonesia, reportedly buying a stake of around 25% in telecom towers operator Solusi Tunas Pratama (STP) for $100 million. The private equity firm confirmed to AVCJ that it had completed its debut transaction...
Asia's untapped VC market
Southeast Asia has potential as a venture capital market, but fragmentation and the absence of large, self-sustaining entrepreneur communities are obstacles to growth
CVC appoints banks to run Matahari sale – report
CVC Capital Partners is said to have appointed CIMB, Morgan Stanley and UBS to manage the sale of its majority stake in Indonesia’s Matahari Department Store.
FLAG buys Asian fund-of-funds Squadron Capital
Asia-focused fund-of-funds Squadron Capital has been sold to FLAG Capital Management. The acquisition will take US-based FLAG’s assets under management to $6 billion, up from $4.5 billion, and broaden its product offering across private equity, venture...
CVC backs Australia's Mantra in Asia expansion
CVC Capital Partners will back Australian hotel group Mantra as it expands into Indonesia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea.
Standard Chartered's financial sponsors head gets Indonesia role - report
The head of Standard Chartered’s financial sponsors group in Hong Kong, Sarab Bhutani, has reportedly been appointed co-head of wholesale banking for Indonesia. He will be responsible for deal origination and client coverage.
Start-up investment: Fallen angels
The scarcity of seed capital in most of Asia has left the region’s entrepreneurs crying out for angel investors. What’s stopping them from flooding in?
Affinity secures first Indonesia deal
Regional buyout firms have struggled to gain traction in Indonesia. In some cases, private equity investors have opened offices in Jakarta or Singapore and, years later, still haven’t a deal to their name. Affinity Equity Partners is no longer part of...
Great expectations: Buyout firms in Southeast Asia
Global buyout firms are deploying more resources in Southeast Asia and expect to see stronger deal flow. But are there enough mid- to large-size transactions to go around, and will they come at reasonable prices?
Panorama leads Series D round for Skyfire's Asia expansion
Panorama Capital has led a $10 million Series D round of funding for Skyfire, intended help the mobile video optimization and cloud solutions company expand in Asia.
Affinity completes debut Indonesia deal
Affinity Equity Partners has completed its first Indonesian investment, securing a significant minority stake in local auto services group Mitra Pinasthika Mustika (MPM) for about $100 million.
IFC to deploy up to $600m in Indonesia next year
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, plans to deploy $400-600 million in Indonesia during the 2013 fiscal year, having committed $300 million to eight projects in 2012.
Yishan creates JVs to tap Indonesia real estate market
Yishan Capital Partners, a Southeast Asia-focused real estate investment and asset management firm, has formed two strategic joint ventures to improve its penetration of the Indonesia market. The Yishan team, which spent more than a decade investing in...
Lazard's Costa joins Developing Markets Capital Partners - report
Developing Markets Capital Partners (DMC), a private equity firm launched by three ex-Goldman Sachs executives, has hired Ken Costa, former chairman of Lazard’s international arm as a partner.
CHAMP makes first Southeast Asia forays
CHAMP Private Equity’s engagement with the wider Asian market began 15 years ago, before Australian Mezzanine Partners partnered with US-based Castle Harland to create the PE firm as it exists today.
Baring PE Asia in new attempt at Courts IPO
Baring Private Equity Asia has resumed efforts to list electronics and furniture retailer Courts Asia in Singapore. The PE firm, which controls Courts through Asia Retail Group, attempted an IPO in 2010 but withdrew the offer due to valuation concerns....
TPG hires Credit Suisse's Francis Woo for Southeast Asia – report
TPG Capital has reportedly hired Francis Woo as a principal for its Southeast Asia team. He was previously director and co-head of corporate finance for Southeast Asia at Credit Suisse.
Australia's CHAMP PE secures $206m Southeast Asia deal
CHAMP Private Equity has acquired a significant minority stake in shipping services provider Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO) from Macquarie Capital Group for around A$199 million ($206 million). It represents another step in the Australian GP’s strategy...
Carlyle's General Lighting completes Malaysia acquisition
General Lighting (GLC), a Saudi Arabia-based portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, has agreed to buy Davex, Malaysia’s largest lighting fixtures manufacturer and supplier, for MYR183 million ($60 million). The company sees the acquisition as a platform...