Analysis
Global access: Australian LPs and international PE
Australia's superannuation industry is still embroiled in a costs debate as funds decide whether a private equity strategy makes economic sense. Those sticking with the asset class are looking to go offshore
Going walkabout: Australian outbound investment
Taking portfolio companies from Australia into Asia represents a major opportunity for private equity. Pan-regional funds see it as a key part of their strategy, but can domestic players join the party?
Leveraged finance: New faces, slower processes
The withdrawal of Western banks from Australia's leveraged financing market has created opportunities for others. A general sense of caution means that, while debt is available, it won't necessarily come quickly
Healthy holidays: PE and medical tourism
Asia’s medical tourism sector is growing rapidly as visitors flock east for cheap surgical procedures. How big is the opportunity for private equity and where can it be found?
China e-commerce: End of the line
Burning through cash and with no public market exit in site, many of China’s e-commerce players are losing the confidence of their investors. New rounds of funding come at depressed valuations – if they come at all
Tech crunch: Bridging the Series A gap
On both sides of the Pacific, the venture capital industry is suffering from a dearth in Series A funding. How widespread is the problem and who is most affected?
Asian advocacy: PE associations reach out to regulators
PE practitioners like light-touch regulation and usually prefer to stay at arm's length from government. A combination of global and national pressures has forced industry associations to revisit their strategies
Philippines infrastructure: Hole in the road
Still massively underserved, the Philippines infrastructure sector is finally on private equity investors’ radar. Partnering with a credible local partner could be the first step to success
Portfolio: Lunar Capital and China's Joysun
When Lunar Capital invested in Sichuan Zhiqiang, the company’s Joysun brand was well known but lacked relevance with younger consumers. It is now seeking to redress the balance with a revamped product range
Talent tinkering: Operating partners in Asia
Operational value-add is becoming the new normal in Asia as private equity firms hire professionals with the skills to build portfolio companies. However, methods of recruitment and retention vary hugely
China cross-border deals: Inside out and outside in
Many mid-cap Western companies want to boost their China exposure, but lack the resources to address the market properly. Some – but not all – PE firms are able to pick apart broken strategies and build them anew
Big data, big deal?
Following the success of India’s business process outsourcing industry, big data is being touted as the next major opportunity for technology investors in the country
The debt deadline: Japans's SMEs at a crossroads
Japan’s Debt Moratorium Law, seen by some industry participants as an impediment to PE deal flow in the last three year, is set to expire at the end of March. Does this spell new opportunities for the industry?
4Q analysis: End-of-year blues
Direct investors stand out as those around them fade; the fundraising climate continues to weaken; a few bright spots in the IPO market
Project Europe: China targets high-end manufacturing
Chinese strategic investors are bidding up manufacturing assets in Europe. There is room for PE players to participate, but they will generate value by identifying high-tech targets early in the value chain
China's B-share exodus
China International Marine Containers’ landmark B-share to H-share conversion could be the first of many such migrations. Does Hony Capital’s participation point to a role for private equity?
China take-privates: A challenging proposition
Management buyouts of US-listed Chinese companies are all the rage, but these transactions present unique challenges in terms of execution. Only the good survive.
India webinar: Relighting the fire
Investor sentiment toward Indian private equity has weakened considerably over the last year. AVCJ, supported by KPMG, hosted a webinar in December at which industry leaders assessed the various challenges
VCs and mobile internet: The race to stay relevant
Venture capital investors targeting the mobile and social media space are only as good as their understanding of the consumer habits and technologies that underpin industry trends
2012: That was the year that was
The broad trends and particular highlights of private equity fundraising, investment and exit activity in Asia
Predictions for 2013
Growth capital, buyouts, public and private exits, secondaries and new frontiers – private equity professionals from Asia and beyond predict the future
China wine funds: Sour grapes?
Wealthy Chinese may recognize wine’s investment potential, but inexperience, taxation issues and limited access to top-tier vineyards means many domestic wine funds often promise more than they can deliver
Secondaries: Sleight of hand
Are LPs using synthetic solutions like total return swaps to trade fund positions behind the managers’ backs? Some industry participants are suspicious; others are skeptical.
Cleantech: Moving beyond subsidies
With its reputation for lackluster returns and dependence of government support, investors have shied away from cleantech, but GPs are bullish about its ability to stand on its own feet