Fundraising
CIC's head of PE sees opportunities in Europe
The challenging fundraising environment means it is a good time to target private markets, and Europe in particular, according to the head of China Investment Corporation's (CIC) private equity investment department.
Return of the capital overhang?
Capital overhang
Blue Water Energy reaches $861m hard-cap
Blue Water Energy's successful $861m fundraise makes it one of the largest post-crunch raises for a first-time team.
OCP Special Situations Fund holds first close at £6m
Oakfield Capital Partners (OCP) has held a first close at ТЃ6m for its vehicle Oakfield UK Special Situations Fund, targeting ТЃ20m.
Q&A: Alberto Forchielli, Mandarin Capital Partners
Founding partner Alberto Forchielli speaks to Amy King about expectations for the firm's current fundraise, why Germany is the only option left for Chinese industrial investment and Chinese GPs’ lack of international presence.
Carlyle to raise global fund target
Carlyle is expecting to reach the $9bn mark for its latest global fund within this quarter and may even raise it to $12bn, dwarfing its European vehicle, which is expected to close on €3bn, according to reports.
Sovereign wealth funds to shape the future of PE
Sovereign wealth funds will be a major LP group in 20 years’ time, according to a panel at the Guernsey Funds Forum 2013. Amy King reports
Norwegian state injects NOK 500m into VC fund
The Norwegian government is set to commit NOK 500m to Investinor AS, a venture capital investment company owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Duke Street hunts for new backers ahead of fresh fundraising
Duke Street Capital is looking for new backers to replace existing investors in its funds ahead of a fresh fundraising attempt, according to reports.
LP Interview: Hermes GPE's Alan MacKay
LP interview
Equistone's de Blignières to raise €300m vehicle
Equistone senior partner Gonzague de Blignières is looking to raise €300m for Raise Capital, a new evergreen structure designed to provide growth capital to French SMEs.
EQT to merge European and Asian teams for new fund
EQT is merging its European mid-market business line with its Asian investment team, ahead of a rumoured new fund launch.
France: commitments from banks, insurers, pension funds down 43%
France's lacklustre fundraising figures for 2012 highlight the continued retreat of traditional LPs, such as banks, insurers and pension funds, according to new research by industry trade body Afic.
Finnish state launches €1bn start-up fund
The Finnish Economy Ministry is launching a тЌ1bn venture capital start-up fund to attract private investors.
UAE eases rules on private equity fund marketing
United Arab Emirates (UAE) rules have relaxed, making it easier to market private equity funds to investors there.
Record dry powder to expire in 2013, says Triago
Despite an expected increase in capital calls this year as GPs put more money to work, nearly $15bn worth of LBO commitments could be left unused and returned to investors in 2013, according to placement agent Triago.
Fundraising to improve despite AIFMD
European fundraising is expected to improve in 2013, despite the regulatory burden of the AIFMD, according to a panel of experts speaking at the Jersey Finance London Funds Conference.
In defence of private equity
There is increasing noise about unjustifiable fees in an industry that fails to live up to expectations. But this belies some outstanding performances and the promise of new opportunities, finds Kimberly Romaine
Abris closes latest CEE fund on €450m
Abris has exceeded expectations to reach hard-cap for its Abris Capital Fund II – despite no exits since the GP was founded in 2007.
Acanthus: Private equity fundraising remained tough in 2012
Research from mid-market advisory firm Acanthus shows that 2012 saw an even tougher fundraising climate than the previous year.
GPs feel heat as LPs raise fund contribution expectations
LPs are increasingly expecting GPs to make a 2% contribution to their next fund, putting pressure on investment professionals to earn carry, according to an Investec survey.
Nordic Capital's eighth fund holds first close
Nordic Capital has held a first close on тЌ1.7bn for its latest fund, exceeding its expected тЌ1.5bn first-close target.