Question 1

What is Elite Prime Far East?

Accepted Answer

Elite Prime Far East is a private investment firm based in Hong Kong. We invest directly in private and public companies, credit and real assets across Greater China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Question 2

Do you manage money for clients?

Accepted Answer

No. Elite Prime Far East invests on its own account and does not manage assets for third parties or offer investment products.

Question 3

Are you a private equity firm or a family office?

Accepted Answer

Neither label fits precisely. We share private equity's direct approach to investing, but without a fixed investment period or exit window. We share a family office's long-term outlook, but we operate as an institutional investment firm, with a formal investment committee, documented processes and a dedicated team.

Question 4

What size of investment do you make?

Accepted Answer

Typical commitments range from US$5 million to US$50 million, with larger amounts for strategic holdings and real assets. We can lead transactions within that range and support portfolio companies over several rounds.

Question 5

What is your typical holding period?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the strategy. Credit facilities run from one to four years. Growth and pre-IPO positions are usually held for three to seven years, often through and beyond listing. Listed positions are held for as long as the thesis holds. Strategic holdings and real assets are held indefinitely.

Question 6

Do you take board seats?

Accepted Answer

Where it is useful to the company and appropriate to the size of our position, yes. In growth and strategic investments we usually hold a board or observer seat. In listed equities we engage privately with boards rather than seeking representation.

Question 7

Which geographies do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Our core markets are Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Southeast Asia. We also invest in Japan and Australia through listed equities and real assets, and selectively in the United Kingdom for property. We do not invest in markets where we would be unable to enforce our rights.

Question 8

How quickly can you make a decision?

Accepted Answer

The investment committee meets weekly and there are no external approvals, so we can usually move from a first meeting to an indicative term sheet within two to four weeks, and to completion within six to twelve weeks, depending on the complexity of diligence.

Question 9

Do you co-invest with other investors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly invest alongside founders, other principals, family offices and institutional funds, with each party investing under its own documentation.

Question 10

How should a company approach you?

Accepted Answer

Send a short summary of the business, the capital required and the intended use of proceeds, through the contact page or by email. We review every proposal that falls within our criteria and aim to respond within ten business days.

Question 11

What information do you need for an initial review?

Accepted Answer

A description of the business and its market, the last two to three years of financial statements, the current capital structure and shareholder register, the amount sought and its purpose, and an outline of the intended exit or liquidity path where relevant.

Question 12

Do you sign non-disclosure agreements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, once a proposal has passed our initial screen. We treat all information we receive in confidence, whether or not an agreement is in place.

Question 13

Do you charge fees to companies you invest in?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not charge arrangement, monitoring or advisory fees to the companies we invest in.

Question 14

Do you work with intermediaries?

Accepted Answer

We receive introductions from sponsors, law firms, accountants, corporate finance advisers and existing portfolio companies. We do not pay finder's fees for unsolicited introductions, and any arrangement with an intermediary is agreed in writing in advance.

Question 15

Who makes investment decisions?

Accepted Answer

A standing investment committee made up of the firm's principals and senior investment staff. Every investment above a de minimis threshold requires the committee's approval, and the committee may decline any proposal.

Question 16

How do you handle conflicts of interest?

Accepted Answer

Conflicts between portfolio companies, or between the firm and its people, are recorded, disclosed to the investment committee and managed under a written policy. Personal investments by staff in securities within the firm's research universe must be pre-cleared.

Question 17

Is Elite Prime regulated?

Accepted Answer

The firm does not carry on any regulated activity for third parties and is not licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission. We comply with all applicable company, tax, anti-money-laundering and sanctions requirements, and we hold ourselves to the standards expected of an institutional investor.

Questions we are asked most often.

About the firm

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