PRESS RELEASE
Shanghai, China – August 15, 2007 – China Seed Ventures (www.csvcp.com), a private equity firm targeting early-stage growth capital investments in emerging companies with significant operations in Greater China, announces the second closing of its inaugural fund, China Seed Ventures,
L.P. (the “Fund”). The Cayman Islands-registered Fund has now received over US$33
million in capital commitments, exceeding its original fundraising target of US$30
million.
Massachusetts Mutual Financial Group (“MassMutual”), a US Fortune 500 company based in Springfield, Massachusetts, was the lead investor in the Fund’s recent second closing. This commitment was made through Babson Capital Management LLC, MassMutual’s investment management affiliate.
“We are extremely pleased to have the support and endorsement of a major US
financial institution such as MassMutual,” said Earl Yen, founder and managing
director of CSV. “We look forward to benefiting from the involvement
of Babson Capital, which brings considerable experience and sophistication as
a seasoned global LP and GP investor.” “After considerable research into Asian private equity opportunities and the
leading fund managers in this important market, we decided to back China Seed Ventures,” said Michael P. Hermsen, managing director of Babson Capital’s Mezzanine
and Private Equity Group. The commitment represents the continuation of MassMutual’s
investment program throughout Asia. “We have been thoroughly impressed with
CSV’s strategy, the quality of its investment team, and the Fund’s encouraging
early results.” CSV employs a team of 11 professionals based primarily in Shanghai,
China. The Fund has to date invested in a total of 11 portfolio companies in
sectors including traditional media, Internet, wireless software and services,
business process outsourcing, IC design, and marketing services. Seven of the
Fund’s 11 portfolio companies have completed second rounds of funding led by
other private equity funds, at valuations higher than the companies’ first rounds
of funding.
CSV’s principals started
investing in China in 2004 and completed
the first closing of the Fund in 2006,
receiving commitments of over US$17
million from corporate and individual investors
from the US, Japan, Taiwan, and
Hong Kong. Notable corporate investors
in the first closing included The
CSK Group, a publicly-traded Japanese IT services
company, and Mizuho Financial Group,
Japan’s second largest financial
institution.
For further information
about CSV, please contact Earl Yen
at earl@csvcp.com.
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