Analysis
Southeast Asia e-commerce: Logistics logjam
Southeast Asia is expected to see rapid growth in e-commerce over the next five years. But are there enough competent logistics providers to deliver the goods in a timely and cost-effective fashion?
Cross-border e-commerce: The final frontier
Rocket Internet and Alibaba Group are preparing to go public and have ambitious growth plans. But how suited are their respective models to cross-border e-commerce expansion?
Crowdfunding: Herd dynamics
More start-ups are tapping crowdfunding platforms for capital. How well prepared are Asian markets to accommodate the phenomenon and what does its emergence mean for venture capital investors?
Portfolio: YPX and China casual dining
YPX Cayman was born out of an idea for a tech-style start-up in China's casual dining space. Backed by a string of investors, the firm is making headway with Cloud 9 and preparing to launch new concepts
Secondaries: Deal flow spike
Secondary deal flow has reached record breaking levels in 2014. Regulatory reform and economic recovery have helped, but that is not the whole story - the maturing market is arguably more important
Korean LPs: A targeted market
From the National Pension Service downwards, Korean institutions are increasingly courted by international GPs on the fundraising trail. Building ties with these groups, formally or informally, can be difficult
Korea VC: Seoul-searching
The South Korean start-up community is flourishing as early-stage investors flock to the country in search of opportunities. What is driving this renewed interest and can it last?
Korean outbound M&A: Satisfied partners?
Korea’s National Pension Service wants private equity to help local corporates expand overseas. Three years after its inception, the Corporate Partnership Fund has yet to prove it is the answer
China regulation: Circular progress
China’s foreign exchange regulator has issued new rules simplifying the use of offshore special purpose vehicles for investment purposes. It’s good news for VCs but questions remain about implementation
Fundraising: First impressions
A successful introductory meeting doesn’t guarantee LP support but it is an important first step on the road to achieving it. GPs must be informed, engaging and polished – but not too polished
Australia infrastructure: Ideal owners
Australian pension funds are keen to invest in a raft of infrastructure privatizations, with some of the proceeds earmarked for new projects. But more can be done to get long-term capital into greenfield infrastructure
Pension funds in infrastructure: Ideal owners
Australian pension funds are keen to invest in a raft of infrastructure privatizations, with some of the proceeds earmarked for new projects. But more can be done to get long-term capital into greenfield infrastructure
China real estate: Threat or opportunity?
Weaker economic growth and a struggling property market have made real estate fund managers more wary about their China residential exposure. But some still sense opportunity
India infrastructure: Building confidence
Private equity is expected to play a significant role in India's infrastructure development, but regulatory constraints and disappointing returns are a turn-off for investors. Reform is required
China infrastructure: Fringe benefits
Plans to open up Chinese infrastructure projects to the private participation are encouraging but not life-changing for PE investors who are already accustomed to operating in and around the state apparatus
Portfolio: CVC, Headland and The Executive Centre
The Executive Centre has seen four different financial owners as its serviced office business has grown. CVC Capital Partners is the latest custodian tasked with taking the company to the next level
India economics: The Modi effect
The election of Narendra Modi has breathed new hope into India’s beleaguered economy, with private equity investors anticipating much-needed reforms. But the road to recovery is long and likely uneven
Human Resources: Hiring for growth
When building the next Baidu or Facebook, finding the right team is as important as raising the next round of capital, if not more so. Early-stage investors can play an active role in the process.
China logisitcs: Cool customers
Private equity investors see chilled supply chains as a proxy for the greater value Chinese consumers place on food safety and quality. However, for now the industry is still more niche than mass market
India's budget: Roadmap to recovery?
India’s recent Union Budget represents the opening salvo from a government that many in the business community hope will get the country moving again. The private equity industry is watching closely
China M&A funds: Double team
Keen to consolidate their fragmented industries, Chinese companies are partnering up with PE firms to launch M&A funds. But do the GPs have the right skills and are third-party LPs willing to come on board?
Distress fundraising: In credit?
Whether disillusioned by the returns from conventional private equity or seeking to diversify their exposure, LPs are more open to Asia credit strategies. The returns are there, provided you pick the right strategy.
Q2 analysis: Still open for business
The IPO window remains open, especially in Australia; VCs continue to dominate China fundraising, but probably not for much longer; the Philippines stakes its claim as Southeast Asia’s emerging PE star.
Unleashing Malaysia
Malaysia’s underlying macroeconomic fundamentals suggest a strong appeal to private equity but deal flow remains modest. Can more opportunities be unlocked in the mid-market?