| Sovereign-wealth funds have been an increasingly aggressive force in the merger and acquisition arena by making multibillion-dollar acquisitions on their own as opposed to paying fees for others to invest on their behalf. These investment institutions also have been active funding startups, helping to drive valuations of some of the most sought-after new businesses, according to a report from research and consulting firm Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Inc.
Among the most noteworthy startup funding by a wealth fund is Singapore’s GIC Private Ltd .’s investment in Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp., which raised more than $1 billion in a December round of funding. That round, led by tech investment fund All-Stars Investment with participation from GIC and others, values Xiaomi at more than $45 billion, making it one of the highest valued startups of all times...............................................Full Article: Source
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