Official Record
BVCF supports anti-viral drug innovation
Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), a natural mechanism for regulating gene expression, in the 1990s, billions of dollars have been invested by the world’s pharmaceutical giants in using this technology to develop therapeutic drugs. A particular...
Toshiba partners with IVFA-owned UEM Group
After expanding its water supply and treatment business into markets such as China and Indonesia, Toshiba Corporation went looking for a strategic partner in India. It zeroed in on UEM Group, one of the top three domestic players in the sector. UEM needed...
IMM to support T-Broad in cable TV battle
Thanks to the rapid emergence of internet protocol TV (IPTV), South Korea’s cable TV operators are expected to broadcast across the country regardless of regulatory hurdles.
Intel connects to car tech with SanJet
"The way things are evolving, there is more and more technology getting into the car - the functionality and electronics components are increasing," says Sudheer Kuppam, Intel Capital's managing director for Asia Pacific.
Longreach agrees Christmas carve-out
Christmas was delayed at the Longreach Group as the North Asia-focused private equity firm finalized an agreement to buy Japanese molded plastics manufacturer Sol-Plus Group on December 25, bringing to an end several weeks of negotiations.
Hahn & Co agrees $380m Hanjin deal
Of the four leading Korean dry bulk carriers, Hanjin Shipping and Hyundai Merchant Marine are raising capital through asset sales and restructurings, while STX Pan Ocean and Korea Line have already filed for bankruptcy.
2013: The year in numbers
A snapshot of the year's stand-out fundraising, investment and exit activity
L Capital sees 2XU as a good fit
A recognized investor in fine foods, jewelry and ladies fashion, L Capital’s decision to back 2XU – an Australian manufacturer of compression sportswear – may seem a slight departure. In fact it could not have been a more perfect fit.
CITIC rides China’s LNG wave
Two weeks ago China National Offshore Oil Corp. received the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Tianjin floating storage regasification unit. The company now has the capacity to handle 24.4 million metric tons of LNG per year at six offshore...
Onward bound: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2013
VCs to take Kingsoft across borders, platforms
Hong Kong-listed software developer Kingsoft is not in desperate need of capital. It posted a net profit of RMB466.4 million ($76.6 million) in 2012, up 39% year-on-year, and its cash reserves stood at RMB2.4 billion for the year. Furthermore, in July...
KKR agrees capital injection
Before agreeing to invest $200 million in India's Gland Pharma, KKR looked at a couple of opportunities in the injectable drugs space in the US and another in India over a period of several years. The PE firm has a long-standing interest in the industry...
CapAsia exits Thai toll road
The floods that devastated Thailand in the second half of 2011 were the country’s worst in 50 years, with the World Bank putting the economic damages at $45.7 billion. Bangkok came under threat in mid-October with outer areas most severely hit. The...
Bitcoin boom
“It is in some ways easier to buy things in China using bitcoin than it is using traditional fiat currency,” says Dan Ciporin, partner at the VC firm Canaan Partners.
Kedaara bucks India fundraising trend
It hasn't been a stellar year for India PE fundraising. Driven by a combination of disillusionment over past underperformance and uncertainty about the prospects for the domestic economy, until last week LPs had committed just $1.9 billion to domestic...
Armstrong’s cleantech breakthrough
When it took its maiden Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund on the road mid 2011, Armstrong Asset Management was sailing into unchartered waters. While there have been other renewable energy funds active in the region, many have benefited from either a broader...
J-Star makes sweet exit from Tokachi
Gifts are a big part of Japanese tradition. Whether you are making an introduction, expressing thanks or simply marking a change in the seasons, an exchange of gifts is usually required. A large section of the country’s consumer sector relies on providing...
Affinity bets again on the protein theory
Having bought New Zealand poulty producer Tegel Foods and Australian deli meats specialist Primo Smallgoods, Affinity Equity Partners’ third pan-regional fund is already heavily invested in the Asian “protein theory.” Both companies are looking...
CITIC oils Stackpole’s China wheels
The oil pumps use to lubricate engine parts and reduce friction come in two forms: fixed and variable. The first are usually oversized to handle the harshest operating conditions and therefore deliver higher average oil pressure and consume more power...
Quadrant eyes aged care consolidation
Quadrant Private Equity completed its exit from New Zealand retirement village operator Summerset last week but demographics remain a prominent theme in the firm’s portfolio with the acquisition of Estia Health, an Australian aged-care provider.
IDG, CreditEase target online finance
CreditEase, the largest peer-to-peer (P2P) lender in China, has introduced a new twist to its relationship with IDG Capital Partners. Two-and-a-half years after becoming an IDG portfolio company, CreditEase has become a principal investor in an IDG-managed...
Falcon House’s Indonesia breakthrough
When the team behind Falcon House came together three years ago they were eyeing Indonesia’s underserved middle market. Drawing on local experience across corporate restructuring, PE and infrastructure, the principals thought they could make the breakthrough...
Matrix makes a booking with Stayzilla
The travel e-commerce market in India is booming but the technology which has made it possible is also leaving many behind. This is particularly visible is the hotel booking segment, where transactions frequently break down because establishments don't...
Apax adds to global outsourcing exposure
"Including GlobalLogic, Apax funds would have invested about $1.5 billion of equity in the outsourcing space in a number of transactions around the world," says Shashank Singh, partner at Apax Partners and head of their India office. "Technology spend...