Programme

21st June 2018

08:30

Registration and refreshments

08:55

Opening remarks

09:00

Asia spotlight: Building a portfolio of winners in a sea of opportunities

Asian private equity and venture capital has seen plenty of ups and downs in recent years. Nevertheless, the volume of capital now under management has surpassed all expectations. As the asset class continues to mature in the region, GPs are evolving to add to their offerings and institutionalise their firms to attract a wider LP base. Our Asian experts will share their thoughts on delivering performance in the current environment, as well as how LPs should commit to the region to ensure they have a diversified portfolio.

What strategies are attracting LPs to funds, and where have we seen the best returns?
How can new LPs looking at Asia create a balanced portfolio across the region?
How do managers maintain an edge in an increasingly competitive market?
Are spin-out funds with niche strategies and terms garnering interest?

Moderated by: Tim Burroughs, Managing Editor, ASIAN VENTURE CAPITAL JOURNAL
Shane Chesson, Partner, OPENSPACE VENTURES
Tony Jiang, Co-Founder and Partner, OCEAN LINK
Leonard Kim, Managing Partner (Asia) and Global Co-CIO, Capital Group Private Markets - CEO, EVERBRIDGE PARTNERS PTE LTD
T. J. Kono, Partner, UNISON CAPITAL
Yar-Ping Soo, Partner, ADAMS STREET PARTNERS

09:45

Innovation Japan: Making an impact on the global stage

The potential for Japan to make a greater impact on the global venture stage is clear. A burgeoning corporate venture capital industry, along with a small but successful venture capital community helping entrepreneurs already exists. However, there is a funding gap in the growth capital space and innovative Japanese firms have yet to harness a global pool of investors or customer base in any meaningful way. In this session, a group of investors and entrepreneurs will discuss the steps required for Japan to live up to its potential as an innovation nation.

What are the different debt strategies available to LPs?
How do you foster global thinking when Japan is still a local market?
What can be done to improve the lack of expertise in commercialising tech innovation?
What strategies are venture capitalists using to quickly scale companies and take them global?
How can corporate venture capital help, and what is its role?
What technologies are Japanese start-ups displaying expertise?

Moderated by: Akito Hattori, Vice President, HARBOURVEST PARTNERS (JAPAN)
Batara Eto, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, EAST VENTURES
James Riney, Managing Partner and Head, 500 STARTUPS JAPAN
Tom Sato, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, INNOVATION FINDERS CAPITAL
Emre Hidekazu Yuasa, Principal, GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS

10:30

Networking coffee break

Sponsored by:

11:00

The rise in demand for credit and debt

Credit and debt offerings are expected to continue to be popular investment options for institutional investors in the near term, due to their liquidity and low-risk characteristics. Recently, many GPs have raised considerable debt funds and found the deal pipeline to be strong. Naturally, there is a growing appetite among LPs towards debt strategies, as they search for portfolio diversification and strive to combat the J-Curve. Options are wide-ranging, and one stop shops that cover direct lending, distressed and stressed debt, structured products and mezzanine, and as well as single credit strategies are all attracting attention. Our panel will offer insight into strategies across the globe, and will discuss how LPs can take advantage of this gap in the market, both at home and abroad.

What are the different debt strategies available to LPs?
How does the risk profiled compare between senior and mezzanine opportunities?
What are returns like globally, and in Asia specifically?
How can domestic LPs access the opportunity?

Moderated by: Tomoko Kitao, Managing Director, HAMILTON LANE
Robert Petty, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, CLEARWATER CAPITAL PARTNERS
Mitchell Stack, Managing Director, BAIN CAPITAL
Henry Wang, Partner, BC PARTNERS ADVISORS L.P.

11:45

LPs’ views on Japan and beyond

The world offers a myriad of strategies, fund types, specialties, and terms. Do you commit big to a handful of mega funds, or seek out a niche country only managers with deep-rooted connections and expertise know about? LP interest in Japan has risen sharply in recent years so how and when are commitments being made and how does the Japan strategy compliment a diversified portfolio.

Which are the most interesting sectors, regions, and strategies?
Have LPs adjusted their expectations for returns from Asia?
Why is Japan gaining more interest?
Is manager consolidation the way of the future?
How are co-investment strategies developing in Asia?

Moderated by: Yuka Hata, Chief Portfolio Manager, Alternative & Fund Investment, NISSAY ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
Masashi Nakamura, Managing Director, Private Equity Investment, JAPAN POST BANK
Hiroko Oda, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Finance Section, Financial Solutions Dept., MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO. LTD
Yar-Ping Soo, Partner, ADAMS STREET PARTNERS

12:45

Networking lunch

13:45