Analysis
China fundraising: Zombie apocalypse?
A pullback by US investors is exacerbating difficult fundraising conditions in China. Most managers are either delaying their return to the market or pulling every lever to secure commitments
GP profile: 500 Global
500 Global’s emergence as a preeminent seed investor in Southeast Asia has played out against the backdrop of a broader transformation from US accelerator into international multi-stage venture capital firm
Start-up banking: Filling an SVB-shaped hole
Silicon Valley Bank was arguably the only institution globally to comprehensively service the unique banking needs of start-ups. In its absence, a mix of players are rising to the challenge
Asia private credit: Muffled momentum
The conservative virtues of private credit relative to private equity have come into fashion in a risk-off world. But global participation in the Asian side of the story will be limited
Energy transition: An emerging speciality
Kerogen Capital is trying to plot a more nuanced course into energy transition than building renewables. It is one of a growing number of nascent specialists in the space.
South by Southeast: Asia's next growth engine?
Grouping together markets based on growth and scale is a problematic with South Asia and Southeast Asia as it was with the BRIC economies. But to some extent, investors are buying into the story
Japan VC: Global appetites
The relatively recent advent of sizeable VC funds and high-profile start-ups in Japan has exposed long-simmering ambitions to be more international. This could be a breakout moment
China: Who's investing?
Private equity investment in China remains in the doldrums yet local investors claim to see green shoots. Where, when, and how they engage with the market is likely to differ from previous cycles
Portfolio: AIG
Advance Intelligence Group has developed a relatively narrow enterprise fintech business into one of the region’s leading digital lending operations with the help of several VC investors
Put a bow on it: India draws funds to GIFT City
India has created an onshore jurisdiction with offshore characteristics to lure country funds currently domiciled in Singapore and Mauritius. Does GIFT City have staying power?
1Q analysis: Barely disguised weakness
Government guidance funds in China and Toshiba Corporation in Japan papered over obvious cracks in Asia private equity fundraising and investment. Nothing could hide the pain around exits
Asia fundraising: To the grindstone
As macro uncertainties add red tape to fundraising processes and oblige some managers to operate on a deal-by-deal basis, the improvisational, survivalist nature of Asian private equity is on display
Gulf gambit: Asia GPs court Middle East LPs
As the Middle East becomes a focal point for private equity fundraising globally, Asia-based managers hope that macro trends work in their favour. Being the right size and the right strategic fit also helps
GP profile: Square Peg Capital
Square Peg Capital came of age at the same time as the Australian and Southeast Asian VC ecosystems, straddling the two with a toehold in Israel. The idea was to think big, not get big. It’s doing both
Fund finance: Filling Asia's SVB void
Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse has prompted Asia-based GPs to review their relationships with lenders, for fund finance and general banking. Smaller managers may find the process challenging
Southeast Asia VC: Drought survivors
As weaker sentiment for technology risk cools venture capital markets globally, Southeast Asia is lagging in limbo. Investors remain bullish but continue to hold their fire amidst questions around valuations
China IPOs: Back to New York
With regulatory challenges receding, Chinese companies are once again targeting US listings. But the journey to New York – in terms of approvals, locations, and valuations – isn’t necessarily smooth
Hong Kong: Action on innovation
Efforts to turn Hong Kong into a technology ecosystem are still at an early stage. Investors and start-up founders believe many of the ingredients are there, but the recipe can be flawed or ignored
AVCJ Awards 2022: Special Achievement – Kok Peng Teh
Kok Peng Teh spent most of his career at GIC, helping build out what has become one of the world’s largest private equity programmes and nurturing the careers of numerous industry participants
AVCJ Awards 2022: Exit of the Year – Small Cap: CosmoLife
When selling CosmoLife, Advantage Partners prioritised strategics with existing customer bases that could help the Japanese drinking water company in its next chapter. This coincided with a healthy valuation
Asia co-investment: Gun-shy LPs?
Overallocation, risk aversion, and troubleshooting existing deals have prompted some LPs to pull back from co-investment in Asia. Others are willing to step in, but the market is selective
AVCJ Awards 2022: Deal of the Year – Mid Cap: Honour Line Shipping
Nexus Point Capital secured the acquisition of Honour Line Shipping despite higher offers from rival bidders because it did its homework on the industry and established good relations with the founders