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Business Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Clearbridge Health raises S$1.98 million in placement backed by Azure Capital
[SINGAPORE] Clearbridge Health has raised S$1.98 million in a placement backed by Singapore fund manager Azure Capital, among other investors, amid plans to acquire a biopharma company for US$330 million and to enter a new business. The placement of 990 million shares, at S$0.002 each, was fully taken up and has allowed Clearbridge to become debt-free, the company announced in a bourse filing on Monday (Aug 18). Other investors in the placement included family office Asdew Acquisitions and Ramesh Chandiramani, whom Clearbridge said is a veteran investor. The proceeds will be used for general working capital, including to support the planned acquisition of Elpis Biopharmaceuticals, with which Clearbridge signed a term sheet in April. Clearbridge also wants to enter the business of banking adult immune cells. In June, it announced plans to appoint an adviser for a processing and cryogenic storage facility for peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It has incorporated companies in Singapore and Hong Kong to prepare the launch. The placement proceeds will also be used for immediate business needs, and for opportunities that 'provide long-term growth and value for shareholders', said Clearbridge. The capital raise reflects Azure's confidence in Clearbridge's direction and leadership, said the fund manager's chief executive Terence Wong. 'The company's transformation into a debt-free entity, coupled with promising future opportunities, presents a compelling investment proposition,' he said. Clearbridge shares ended Monday flat at S$0.004.
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Investing in influencers – Azure Capital partners Gushcloud in fund to support creators, with up to 12.5% returns
[SINGAPORE] The Azure-Gushcloud Entertainment Finance Fund, launched in February 2025, has successfully reached its initial target of raising S$10 million from investors. The fund promises investors a return of 12.5 per cent per annum in US dollars, or 11 per cent in Singapore dollars. Thereafter, returns are fixed at 7 per cent with an additional premium of 0.65 per cent for every 1 per cent change in the US prime lending rate. There is a minimum holding period of one year, and a minimum commitment of either US$100,000 or S$100,000. Distributions are scheduled on a quarterly basis. The fund was jointly launched by Singapore-based fund manager Azure Capital and influencer agency Gushcloud International. It finances Gushcloud's Creator Venture Program (CVP), which aims to provide financial support for digital creators through advances for over one to two years. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Using the creator's estimated projected income, Gushcloud can provide advance capital to the creators with a loan to value ratio of 10 to 50 per of the creator's annual earnings. During the contract, all income generated by the creator through brand sponsorships and platform royalties is received by Gushcloud and subsequently settled to the creator. In exchange, the creator management company will act as the creator's business manager, taking control over their professional e-mail and social media inboxes. This allows creators to expand their reach with brand partnerships and enhance monetisation on various platforms. '(This) gives them some form of stability in their jobs ... so they can focus on being creative,' said Terence Wong, CEO of Azure Capital. Wong noted that in looking at the payback period for each investment, the internal rate of return should be in excess of 20 per cent. Though the contract ties the creator down for up to two years, Althea Lim, CEO of Gushcloud International, said: 'In a time like this, where we live in a very uncertain world, most people will take that because that money could go somewhere so positive.' Currently, Gushcloud is working with around 200 full-time creators globally and is focusing on bringing in digital creators who are experts in their subject matter. Lim estimated that subject matter experts on social media platforms such as Youtube are now getting around S$30 per thousand views. 'All platforms are looking for subject matter experts right now,' she added, noting that people prefer to watch videos to gain understanding on a topic. She observed that the creator economy – currently valued at around US$250 billion – is projected to reach close to US$500 billion by 2027. 'The economy is immense', said Lim. 'I think the ... data that scares and excites us is that six out of 10 kids under 12 today desire to be an influencer, a content creator or a YouTuber.' Lim noted that in 20 years' time, 90 per cent of Singaporeans will live till the age of 95. However, she added, very few creators have health insurance, own their own homes, or have a pension fund. These are problems that Lim is eager to tackle, especially with a growing number of younger creators entering the economy. 'We're here to stay,' said Lim. 'We want to be a long-term business because these are humongous problems that we need to solve.'
