Yunfeng Capital (YF Capital; Chinese: 云锋基金; pinyin: Yúnfēng jījīn) is a Shanghai-based private equity firm founded in 2010. It was founded by Jack Ma (founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba) and David Yu (founder of Target Media).[3]
 | |
Native name | 云锋基金 |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Investment management |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Jack Yun Ma David Feng Yu |
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Products | Private equity Venture capital |
| AUM | US$20 Billion (2021)[1] |
| Subsidiaries | Yunfeng Financial Group |
| Website | www.yfc.cn |
| Footnotes / references [2] | |
Background
editYunfeng Capital was founded in 2010 by Jack Ma and David Yu. 'Yunfeng' is the result of combining the Chinese first names of Jack (Yun) Ma and David (Feng) Yu.[3][4][5] Ma currently owns 40% of Yunfeng Capital although the firm has issued a statement that states “is not involved in the decision-making or operation”. [6]
The firm focuses on early and growth stage investments in companies from various sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services and media. In addition, it provides consultation and advisory services to its selected portfolio companies.
In October 2022, The Information reported the firm was struggling to raise money in China due to domestic investors being concerned on the political risks of backing a firm affiliated with Ma.[7]
Yunfeng Capital is headquartered in Shanghai with additional offices in Beijing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong.[8]
Notable investments include Kuaishou,[9] Xiaomi,[10] XPeng[11] and Youku.[8]
Yunfeng Financial Group
editIn 2015, Yunfeng Capital (through Yunfeng Financial Holdings and several other investment vehicles) acquired Reorient Group Limited, a brokerage firm listed in Hong Kong.[12][13]
In November 2016 Reorient Group Limited was renamed to Yunfeng Financial Group.[14] Yunfeng Financial Group is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (ticker symbol: 376).
In August 2017, the group agreed to acquire the Asia unit of MassMutual for US$1.7 billion[15] which was completed in November 2018.[16] In March 2019, the unit was rebranded to YF Life.[17]
As of 2021, 47% of the group's shares are effectively owned in aggregate by David Yu and Yunfeng Capital.[18]
References
edit- ^ Schachner, Miles (10 August 2021). "The largest Chinese investors you've never heard of". SupChina. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Form ADV" (PDF). SEC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ a b Aldred, Stephen; Miller, Matthew (17 July 2014). "Exclusive - Red flags: Alibaba's Ma and Ma's private equity firm". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Chen, Eliot (12 September 2021). "Who is Yunfeng Capital?". The Wire China. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "David Yu". CKGSB. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Forsythe, Michael; Northrop, Katrina; Chen, Eliot (21 July 2024). "The Billionaire Criminal Who Secretly Profited Off Jack Ma's Deals". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Jack Ma's Investment Firm Struggles to Raise Money in China". The Information. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ a b Team, Investment Research (10 May 2014). "Alibaba Commits $100M To Yunfeng Capital Fund". China Money Network. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Tencent leads Kuaishou's USD 3 billion pre-IPO round with Jack Ma-backed Yunfeng Capital in tow". KrASIA. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Jack Ma's Yunfeng Capital in the market to raise new PE fund". DealStreetAsia. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Flying car start-up HT nails US$500 million in Asia's biggest funding deal". South China Morning Post. 19 October 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Jack Ma pays HK$2.7 billion for 56pc of HK brokerage Reorient". South China Morning Post. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Team, Investment Research (15 May 2015). "Yunfeng Leads 81% Stake Purchase In Hong Kong's Reorient Group". China Money Network. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Change of Company Name, New Stock Short Name, Website Address and Logo of the Company" (PDF). Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. 9 November 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Jack Ma-supported Yunfeng buys MassMutual's Asian unit". South China Morning Post. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Jack Ma-backed brokerage grows portfolio with insurance products". South China Morning Post. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "YF Life Celebrates New Brand Launch and Takes up Title Sponsorship of "Pretty Crazy Joey Yung Concert Tour" | YF Life". corp.yflife.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited". di.hkex.com.hk. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.