KKR Raises $15 Billion in Asia's Largest Fund

Global firm KKR has announced its final closure of about $15 billion fund focused on investments in private equity transactions in the Asia Pacific region. KKR Asian Fund IV is estimated to invest $1.3 billion in capital along with fund investors through the organization.

Ming Lu, head of KKR Asia Pacific says, “Over the last 16 years we have strategically built our Asia Pacific platform and diverse regional team to unlock what we believe are some of the most compelling investment opportunities in the world given Asia Pacific’s growth and dynamism.”

He continues, “Our new flagship private equity fund meaningfully adds to our multi-asset platform and strengthens our investment position across the region. We are grateful to our investors who have acknowledged the success of our Asia Pacific strategy and share our conviction in the tremendous potential that the region’s businesses hold.”

In January, the organization had completed its inaugural pan-regional infrastructure as well as real estate funds that include the $3.9 billion Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors Fund and $1.7 billion Asia Real Estate Partners Fund.

Hiro Hirano, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity, KKR says, “The opportunity for private equity investment across the Asia Pacific is phenomenal. While each market is unique, the long-term fundamentals underpinning the region’s growth are consistent – the demand for consumption upgrades, a fast-growing middle class, rising urbanization, and technological disruption.”

Ashish Shastry, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity, KKR states, “Companies across the Asia Pacific are recognizing their potential to become not only national and regional champions but also global leaders in their industries. Today, with Asian Fund IV and KKR’s local-global partnership approach, we are better positioned than ever to support the expansion of the companies that fuel Asia Pacific’s economy, fund their innovation, and build technology leaders.”

KKR Asian Fund IV has evolved to be the largest private equity fund that is devoted to investing in the Asia Pacific region. The fund that exceeded its target size to touch its hard cap for fund investors’ commitments, has received strong support from a diverse group of new and existing global investors that include strong representation by Asia Pacific-based investors.

Alisa Amarosa Wood, KKR’s Head of Private Markets Strategies Group comments, “The overwhelming response for Asian Fund IV validates our strategic focus and investment discipline, especially given the competitive and current environment. We are grateful for the trust that our existing and new fund investors have placed in KKR and we are confident that our talented Asia Pacific team will continue delivering outstanding results.”

"India is an important part of KKR’s Asia Pacific investment strategy across all our asset classes. The country’s dynamic population and strong economic fundamentals are fueling the growth of India’s innovative and disruptive homegrown companies. The successful close of Asian Fund IV further enhances our ability to bring KKR’s trusted partnership approach, global network and deep industry expertise to Indian entrepreneurs, founders and management teams as they position their businesses to capture the opportunities locally and overseas,” says Gaurav Trehan, Partner, KKR India.