Analysis
HNWIs & private equity: Access all areas?
The private equity industry wants more efficient and inclusive ways to raise high net worth money than private bank feeder funds. Technology, in different ways, might provide the answer
Logistics: Machinery machinations
As private equity goes deeper downstream in the e-commerce supply chain, technology has emerged as a prerequisite and stumbling block
China e-commerce: Chaos in the community
With investor sentiment on China’s technology sector cooling, community group buying platforms are battling to conserve cash. This has done little for the government’s anti-monopoly drive
SPACs: Longer menu
As the US recovers from a glut in SPAC fundraising, Asian jurisdictions are launching their own regimes. Not every start-up is a good fit for New York. Is Singapore or Hong Kong a good fit for them?
Japan fundraising: Regional banks revisited
Japan’s regional banks have risen from a low base to become a meaningful LP constituency for local middle-market managers. Their staying power might be a function of broader industry consolidation
Japan digitization: Easy targets, hard to hit
Japan’s massive mid-sized business sector is still trading in its fax machines for the cloud, sometimes willingly, sometimes begrudgingly. PE’s help is most needed in terms of mindset
Vision Fund: Big is beautiful?
Previously the sole elephant in Asia’s growth-stage technology space, SoftBank’s Vision Fund program is now one of a herd. Prevailing amid increased competition may prove its thesis once and for all
3Q analysis: India advances
India technology investment continues to ramp up as China flatlines; international payments M&A drives Asia trade sale revival, but IPOs slump; fundraising remains slow
China in six trends
Key themes in China private equity fundraising, investment, and exits
China biotech: Going global
A gradual shift in focus from sourcing assets from overseas for application in China to bringing China-made treatments to the world is challenging the notion of what constitutes a local biotech start-up
China SaaS: Path to profitability
COVID-19 has driven enterprise uptake of software-as-a-service solutions in China, but paying customers are still relatively few. Other markets offer some pointers on monetization
Australia PE: Brave new world
As Australia contemplates opening its tightly controlled borders and finding a way to live with COVID-19, private equity probes an opportunity set in transition yet surprisingly stable
GP profile: Advent Partners
Having spent the first half of the last decade undergoing a renewal in terms of leadership and strategy, Australia’s Advent Partners believes it has emerged stronger, smarter, and more focused on the future
ESG best practice: From global to granular
The value creation-driven PE playbook on ESG in Asia converts marginal gains into big picture policy wins – provided investors focus on the right areas and the flow of information isn’t stymied
Virtual reporting: Lost in translation
GP-LP reporting in the age of remote portfolio assessments and stilted video catchups leaves much to be desired. Both sides are trying to bridge the divide, but no best-practice approach has emerged
Australia private wealth: Choosing channels
The swelling bank balances of Australia’s high net worth individuals and family offices are an attractive target for private equity. Access is becoming increasingly formalized across the spectrum
China take-privates: Holding pattern
Pressure is mounting on Chinese companies listed in New York, from domestic and US regulators. Is another wave of PE-backed take-privates imminent?
Secondaries: Straight outta Asia
The growing secondaries opportunity in Asia is attracting more global capital, but managers with strategies dedicated to the region are few. This is changing, albeit gradually
GP profile: China Renaissance
China Renaissance’s technology-focused investment business has grown from nothing to $9.5 billion in seven years. The firm wants to remain a boutique operator rather than embrace all stages and strategies
Asia fintech: Platform plays
Expansion is the dominant theme in financial technology as start-ups leverage existing assets to enter new verticals, typically in lending. Which ones will become Asia’s preeminent platforms?
Blockchain: Going mainstream
The most disruptive technology in financial services is also the most esoteric and misunderstood. As a long, speculative uptake phase unfolds, investors are coming to terms with the future