This case describes how an intrapreneur helped Credit Suisse launch a commercially viable impact investing business in Asia. It specifically details the investment strategy and process for a new impact fund aligning social impact objectives with commercial goals of the bank. It also presents two new investment opportunities needing evaluation.

The case describes how the Pro-invest Group – a boutique investment firm specialising in private equity real estate and real estate asset management – built its business and raised a first-time private equity fund.

The case shows how concepts from operations management can be applied to a service setting (as opposed to manufacturing). With private equity as the setting, it aims to help students understand how to use systematic process and queuing analysis to design a professional service operation.

Mekong Capital, a private equity firm based in Vietnam, is considering exiting its stake in restaurant chain operator Golden Gate. Despite robust growth, Golden Gate’s profitability is lagging. Students are asked to evaluate the best means of exit and whether operational improvements are required to attract buyers or create the foundation for a successful IPO.

Activist hedge fund Steel Partners entered Japan to take major stakes in underperforming companies and actively press for corporate changes. But seven years later its takeover attempts remain unsuccessful, thwarted by poison-pill defences and cross-shareholdings. Whether corporate governance as a strategy could work in Japan looks increasingly questionable.