Fundraising

Orchid Asia Group Management, an early backer in ctrip.com, has invested $10m in Chinese retailer Sport100, shortly after closing a new fund last month.

Oklahoma-based fund-of-funds manager Spur Capital Partners is nearing a final close for a $200m targeted VC fund. Roughly half of the capital is coming from Western European institutions.

GTCR Golder Rauner has made its first acquisition through its Solera claims services platform, buying an ADP division for $975m.

US media group IDG and Silicon Valley’s Accel Partners have teamed up as co-sponsors of a $290 million China-focused technology fund.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has committed to the new vehicle, which will focus on mid-market companies in the Baltic countries, Central Europe and the Balkans.

Investors in an African private equity fund focused on privatising local banks have opted to pull the plug on the vehicle three years after its launch.

The venture capital arm of the French private investment house has held a first and final close of its latest venture capital vehicle after four months of fundraising.

Private equity fundraising activity in the Middle East and North Africa region spiked noticeably last year, driven by growing participation from local investors. By Judy Kuan.

Pacific Equity Partners has raised a total of AU$1.2bn in capital – AU$800m for a core mid-market strategy and AU$400m for a supplemental fund.

UK-based Secondary Market Infrastructure Fund, controlled by Star Capital, has bought into prison and facilities manager Global Solutions.