Bantry Bay Ventures-Asia, LLC ("BBV"), founded in 2004, is a United States based private equity firm primarily focused on investments in China and Vietnam. BBV has offices in Beijing, Hanoi and Connecticut. In Asia, BBV focuses on both private companies and partnering with State owned companies. Specifically, BBV makes direct equity investments, assists in arranging capital, provides financial and operational advice and works closely with management to properly position the company. BBV prides itself both on the depth of its due diligence as well as its relationships with government officials and its management partners. BBV partners have been doing business in Asia since 1999. In 1999, a BBV partner was one of the founding investors in EAccess, the largest independent DSL provider in Japan. BBV is currently focusing its Asian investment in the following fields: infrastructure, particularly energy, real estate, finance, and technology.
Below is a summary of some BBV transactions:
  1. In 2006, a BBV affiliate purchase a controlling interest in Shanxi Taiyue Coal Trading Co., Ltd. Taiyue owns 6 rail platforms and a coal washing plant in Shanxi Province, China. BBV partnered with the local railroad and currently transports over 1 million tons of coal per year.
  2. In 2008, BBV formed the first special purpose acquisition company focused on Vietnam, BBV Vietnam S.E.A. Acquisition Corp raising $41.4 million. Despite the financial meltdown, BBV merged in 2010 with Migami, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on Asia, particularly Korea.
  3. In 2008, BBV signed a joint venture with a large state owned company in Vietnam to develop coal resource with over 1 billion ton reserve.
  4. In 2008, a BBV affiliate invested in China Networks Media, Ltd, which provides terrestrial TV in China.
  5. In 2009, a BBV affiliate invested in China Cablecom Holdings, LLC which provides cable services in Shandong Province.
  6. In 2009 a BBV affiliate invested in Global Mobile, a Wimax company located in Taiwan, founded by one of the leading technology entrepreneurs in Taiwan.
  7. In 2010, a BBV affiliate invested in China Vogue, which is a large retail clothing chain based in southern China. TPG has recently made a follow on investment in China Vogue.
  8. In 2010 a BBV affiliate invested in China Food and Beverage Holding, LLC which produces and markets an energy drink which is endorsed by a variety of NBA players.
  9. In 2010 a BBV affiliate invested in China Broadband (YouOnDemand), LLC which distributes nationally pay-per-view content in China.
BBV is currently in the diligence process for a pipeline of projects of more than $350 million in China and Vietnam, including the development of a large coal reserve in Vietnam. In China, BBV has focused substantial attention on the energy sector, particularly coal.