Analysis
Portfolio: J-Star and Primagest
Primagest is a long-standing leader in Japan's document-scanning industry, but it faces challenges in terms of a transition in leadership and staying relevant as technology evolves. J-Star is providing support
China taxi-booking apps: Road war
High-powered alliances are forming in China’s mobile taxi-booking space around Kuaidi Dache and Didi Dache as part the ongoing battle between the big internet companies. What does it mean for VC investors?
Deal-by-deal fundraising: Incremental approach
Deal-by-deal fundraising is on the rise in Asia, driven by the difficulties less experienced GPs face when raising a blind pool and LPs’ willingness to go direct. It’s a great strategy, provided you have momentum
4Q analysis: Still selling
Trade sales keep the exit market ticking over; big ticket tech deals make their presence felt, but buyouts dominate the investment environment; weakness in China pegs back Asia fundraising
Xiaomi: The view from the top
Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi has become the world’s most valuable start-up, following a $1.1 billion round. Does its growth trajectory tally with the $45 billion price tag?
China outbound: More haste, less speed
Much is expected of Chinese private equity firms in terms of cross-border acquisitions in Europe and the US. While broader economic dynamics point to more deal flow, the GPs themselves are moving with caution
2014 in review: A year of record-setting
Strong capital markets facilitate bumper exit activity; pan-regionals, venture capital dominate fundraising; China’s leads revival in growth capital investment, with Korea still buyout central
AVCJ Awards: Exit of the Year - Mid Cap: United Cinemas
United Cinemas was struggling in the face of macro headwinds and low consumer confidence, but Advantage Partners’ saw the bigger picture and delivered blockbuster returns
AVCJ Awards: Deal of the Year - Large Cap: Nanfu Battery
CDH Investments’ acquisition of Nanfu Battery is a rare carve-out from a multinational in China, and an even rarer example of a PE firm returning to back a former portfolio company
AVCJ Awards: Operational Value Add & Exit of the Year - Large Cap: Oriental Brewery
Affinity Equity Partners and KKR made Oriental Brewery the market leader in Korea’s beer industry, then exited via Asia’s largest-ever trade sale. For this and other activities, Affinity was also named Firm of the Year
China's NSSF and offshore PE: Still theory, no practice
Regulations proposed by the government for China’s National Social Security Fund include a provision that suggests the pension fund could invest in offshore private equity. But how soon?
Tech valuations: Ill-fated inflation?
As valuations in the tech space continue to soar, comparisons are inevitably drawn with the dotcom bubble era. Asia can point to favorable fundamentals, but it remains to be seen whether the exuberance is justified
China healthcare: Technology transfer
Healthcare-focused private equity firms want to take technologies from developed markets into China, leveraging rising domestic demand. It is a lucrative strategy, but not necessarily a straightforward one
India secondaries: Much heat, little light
India has yet to fulfil its potential as a direct secondaries market as buyers and sellers fail to agree on valuations. A revival in investor sentiment hasn’t helped matters, but patience may eventually pay off
Portfolio: Advent International and CARE Hospitals
A majority stake in CARE Hospitals has allowed Advent International into India’s fast-growing healthcare sector. Rather than blindly pursuing expansion, the PE firm is building a business tailored to local demand
India early stage: Sowing seeds
India’s young demographic and growing mobile adoption is an opportunity waiting to be tapped for early-stage investors. Industry incumbents are making the most of it, but there is room for more
India fundraising: Moment of truth
With investor sentiment in India’s public markets on a roll, a host of mid-market private equity firms are either in fundraising mode or about to enter it. For some managers, at least, it will be a difficult process
India control deals: Are you buying it?
The India private equity buyout thesis is gathering momentum, with economic and generational factors swinging in the industry’s favor. GPs must convince LPs that they have the skills to execute this strategy
India exits: Cashing out
Exits have been the bane of Indian private equity, with many GPs struggling to monetize investments made before the global financial crisis. Optimism has returned to the country; so have exits. But will it last?
Private debt: Enforcement issues
Investors see great potential in Asia’s private debt markets, but some GPs and LPs’ attitudes towards downside protection and enforceability keep them out of emerging markets
Asia fundraising: How much is too much?
Ever increasing fund sizes have become a fact of life for some private equity firms in Asia. LPs must distinguish between GPs raising more capital for a valid purpose and GPs doing so simply because they can
Taiwan VC: Captive element
Taiwanese corporations are launching captive VC units to invest in technologies that can update their product offerings. The new source of funding is welcome in the absence of independent VCs, but is it a panacea?
Beyond Beijing: Taiwan's trade dilemma
Taiwan’s future success as a foreign investment – and a private equity – destination largely hinges on the future of its free trade relationships. But the territory must first manage its ties with mainland China