Analysis
Cross-border consumer: The Korean wave
Driven by the popularity of music, TV dramas and beauty products, Korea’s cultural cachet has never been stronger. PE and strategic investors want to monetize the phenomenon, for as long as it lasts
Korea VC: Leaps of faith
Korean e-commerce start-ups have seen breakthroughs in fundraising over the last few years, but investors are already concerned about the future of the industry
3D printing: Dimension jump
3D printing technology is expected to grow at an accelerated rate now that its practical applications have come into focus. As a global manufacturing leader, Asia could be at the center of the boom
Venture philanthropy: Change agenda
Well-established in developed and some developing markets, venture philanthropy is still only taking hold in much of Asia. PE firms are figuring out whether they should participate and in what way
Drones: High-flying tech
The exponential rise in drone technology investment during the past few years is now expected to level off into slower growth as venture capitalists discover a galaxy of more nuanced opportunities
India tech M&A: Power plays
Recent consolidation moves in India’s technology sector are a welcome sight for investors that have poured money into battles for market share. However, not all start-ups should be resigned to this fate
SE Asia tech IPOs: Loosening up
The Singapore Exchange has found limited success in attracting regional tech IPOs. Investors say it needs greater flexibility and understanding to grab a piece of the market
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
Portfolio: Creador and Indonesia's Simba
By acquiring Simba, Creador has entrenched itself in a small but fast-growing Indonesian cereal story. Now it will take logistical and marketing expertise to realize the potential of the local consumer market
China media: Lights, camera, regulation
From movie financing deals to production house acquisitions, Chinese capital is flooding into Hollywood with a view to potential windfalls back home. Should investors believe the hype or wait for the reviews?
Rocket Internet: The human wave
Rocket Internet has played a major role in developing Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector, but industry players say the firm’s most lasting effect will likely be the large talent pool that it is creating in the region
ASEAN integration: Gathering momentum
Continued economic integration with Southeast Asia could open the way for transformative investment opportunities, but private equity players must believe in the region’s potential before they take the plunge.
2Q analysis: Flattering to deceive?
China shores up Asia investment activity, driven by tech-related deals; robust VC fundraising in China, Southeast Asia masks weak region-wide activity; volatility prolongs the exits downturn
Fragmentation factor: Deal-by-deal draws interest in Southeast Asia
Deal-by-deal investment is gaining traction in Southeast Asia due to a reluctance to back blind pool funds in the region and highly localized deal-sourcing. It is unclear whether the dynamic could, or should, remain
Singapore VC: Get smart
Singapore’s smart nation urban development policy has attracted noticeable interest from the VC industry. The plan’s broad inclusiveness and lack of hard targets could bode well for its sustainability
Cross-border VC: Changes in the wind
US-China cross border investment continues to present exciting opportunities for venture capital firms targeting technology start-ups, but investors must keep up with the pace of the market’s transformation
Not-so private equity: An industry responds to US regulation
As regulatory pressure to increase fee transparency among US private equity funds ramps up, the industry will have to learn how to follow new rules, even as they’re being formed
American dreams: China targets US semiconductor assets
Chinese interest in semiconductor assets has again put the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US under the spotlight. Not all deals get through, but corporate China is generally braver and better informed
Secondaries: Waiting for the shoe to drop
Asian secondaries players are counting on an explosion in demand for alternative liquidity solutions over the next few years, but cutting deals in this niche market requires a nimble approach
Indonesia VC: Work in progress
As Indonesia’s start-up space matures, with ever more capital pouring in, VC players recognize that exits are the key to creating a sustainable investment environment. However, it is still early days
Portfolio: New Horizon Capital and Tachikichi
New Horizon Capital has turned around ceramics maker Tachikichi by emphasizing its unique connections to Japanese culture. Now the GP hopes that strategy can take the company beyond its old restraints
Myanmar PE: Back to the future
Myanmar’s relatively abrupt transformation from impoverished pariah to upbeat high-growth investment target has resulted in some interesting challenges for private equity and venture capital
China SOE reform: No change?
The mixed ownership model that features in China’s latest push on state-owned enterprise reform sounds exciting in theory but some private equity investors must revise their expectations in practice
Japan's middle market: Simmering prosperity
GPs are finding opportunity in Japan’s economic stagnancy and dramatic demographic trends, but embracing this massive market will require a sharper focus on planning, as well as patience and poise