IRG and Oria Capital launch TMT fund

Hong Kong based investment banking firm IRG and Oria Capital have announced plans to raise $100 million during the first quarter of 2006 for their new ShinAsia Fund. The fund will focus on the Asian TMT sector, spotlighting established telecom and internet businesses. It targets a minimum return of 20%-25% annually and has a minimum investment of $5 million.

Matt Burlage, CEO of IRG, commented that this is the first time IRG will introduce third party capital to its clients, and the fundáplans to raise capitaláfromáoutside Asia via high net worth contacts in Silicon Valley and Europe. He added that 50%-75% of the fund will take the form of pre-IPO private equity financing, with an average exit strategy of 12-24 months per transaction.

Since such equity will be unquoted, this means that the NAV reported monthly to investors will be calculated on a non-standard basis. The tie-in will give investors access to IRGÆs proprietary deal flow, with Oria Capital responsible for risk management, administration, legal and compliance issues.