About the Fund

ARIA Investment Partners (“ARIA”) is a group of Pan-Asian growth and expansion private equity funds and a pioneer in the Asia private equity sector. The ARIA funds invest in domestic consumer brands, market leaders and outstanding mid-market companies for expansion, acquisition, recapitalization, mergers and acquisitions purposes.

The investment strategy of ARIA has been to track the evolving Asia consumer through the massive demographic and economic changes that have taken place in the past two decades. While each country in this region is at a different stage of its development and demographic process, one common theme is emerging across the region: a wave of silvering consumers (those born in the 1960s to 1980s with ages between mid-30s to late 50s) is taking shape in the consumer story.

ARIA’s target sectors are those that benefit most from Asia’s silvering generation, a rapidly maturing population with increasing dual income families, delayed marriages, lower birth rates and higher dependency ratios in the next decade. As one of Asia’s most experienced growth investors, ARIA has accumulated rich insights, industry experience and knowledge in tracking consumer behavior and consumption patterns, and achieved an established, proven track record in investing, value creation and exits.

The target sectors include but are not limited to the following:

1. Retail / Food & Beverage
   Businesses with a direct retail relationship with end-consumers as well as midstream businesses forming an integral part of the value chain in the retail sector, which includes fast-moving consumer goods, fashion, personal care, cosmetics and anti-aging products and treatments.
   Established producers or distributors of safe, branded, high quality, functional and nutritious food and beverages and operators of restaurant, gourmet culinary or catering services meeting the growing demands of sophisticated and financially well-off Asian consumers. ARIA’s experiences in this sector include investments in dairy farms and products, chocolate confectionary, restaurants and catering.
2. Healthcare / Wellness
   Providers of specialized products / services with distinct competitive advantages catering to health conscious consumers seeking upgrade in preventive healthcare, herbal and traditional medicine and treatment, pharmaceuticals, health supplements, and homecare services. ARIA’s experiences in this sector include investments in OTC and prescription drugs, spa and slimming centres, water purification system as well as adult incontinence products.
3. Lifestyle / Services
   Businesses that cater to growing self-actualization and lifestyle needs of affluent Asian consumers who seek to further their own personal development such as professional education, financial services, home furnishings and refurbishments and various hobbies / entertainment related products / services. ARIA’s experience includes education, fire safety products and systems, lighting technology, and financial advice and services.
4. Consumer Technology
   Technology developers and enablers with strong market positions, and core intellectual properties and services/products with sustainable applications for Asian consumers and SME businesses. ARIA’s experiences in this sector include investments in smart devices and equipment for consumers and businesses, e-commerce enablers in logistics and brand management, digital content and platform, key components’ manufacturers for gaming, aeronautics, and telecommunications, and data centres.

ARIA has a strong and comprehensive team with professionals based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai and Beijing. The team has extensive experience working with companies to enhance brand positioning and marketing, acquisitions, improve corporate governance and strategic planning, attract key management talent, upgrade financial systems and operations, plan and execute successful IPOs, and bring in strategic investors. The team is also closely supported by professionals and infrastructure of CLSA Capital Partners, and benefits from the extensive regional and global network and resources of CLSA.

Investment Focus

ARIA provides growth and expansion capital to businesses and emerging brands that are normally owned by entrepreneurs and/or families and typically invests US$10-50 million per deal, with possible co-investment for up to US$100 million. ARIA’s holding period is between three to five years, and investments are realized through mechanisms usually agreed in advance with owners and managers, including flotation, trade sales and/or recapitalizations.

Target markets include India, South-East Asia, and Greater China. ARIA may also consider attractive investments elsewhere in Asia on a selective and opportunistic basis.

How it Works

ARIA works actively with companies at the board of directors’ level to provide financial and strategic guidelines while allowing management control of day-to-day operations. ARIA professionals have considerable experience in local markets and in helping companies grow organically or by way of acquisitions and joint ventures.

ARIA investment decisions are taken by an investment committee whose members are all based in Asia and experienced in the region.

A Value-Added Approach

A relationship with ARIA and CLSA provides more than capital; through CLSA's global network, investee companies can access other financial products and geographic channels to sustain and reinforce growth and reach out for partners in technology transfer, marketing, distribution and strategic investments by leveraging on CLSA's 21 offices across Asia, Australia, the Americas and Europe.