Aquilius Invests in Growth with New Hong Kong Office and Key Hires

Aquilius Expands with Key Strategic Moves in Hong Kong

In a significant step to enhance its presence in the Asia Pacific investment landscape, Aquilius Investment Partners has announced the opening of a new office in Hong Kong. This strategic move comes alongside the hiring of two seasoned professionals, Martin Yung and Patrick Qian, who bring extensive experience in secondary investments to the firm.

Aquilius, founded in 2021 by industry veterans Bastian Wolff and Christian Keiber, has quickly risen to prominence as a leading provider of secondaries solutions within the region. The firm’s new Hong Kong office is intended to bolster its operational capabilities and support its growing portfolio in Asia, a market increasingly recognized for its potential in private market investments.

Martin Yung, appointed as the Managing Director and Head of Private Equity Secondaries, has over 15 years of experience in the field, notably at HarbourVest Partners, where he was instrumental in co-leading their Asia Pacific secondaries business. Meanwhile, Patrick Qian, who held a key position at the same firm, joins Aquilius as Principal. Their combined expertise is expected to significantly enhance Aquilius’ already robust private equity offerings.

A New Era for Aquilius

The addition of Yung and Qian marks a pivotal change for Aquilius, reinforcing its capabilities in the competitive secondaries market. These experts are tasked with leading the firm’s private equity endeavors, focusing on delivering tailored solutions to institutional investors across Asia Pacific. Yung expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, "I am honored to join Aquilius and lead the launch of its Hong Kong office. We aim to leverage the firm’s strong regional focus to capitalize on the burgeoning secondaries market in the region."

As part of its growth strategy, Aquilius is committed to deepening its private equity secondaries capabilities while expanding its geographic reach. The Hong Kong office will serve as a strategic hub for managing investments and developing key partnerships in the area.

Harnessing Growing Market Opportunities

Recent activity by Aquilius, including the closing of its second real estate secondaries flagship fund, AIP Secondary Fund II L.P., indicates a positive trajectory for the firm. The fund raised more than $1.1 billion, setting a record as Asia Pacific’s largest Real Estate Secondaries Program to date. This successful capital raise demonstrates Aquilius’ effectiveness in attracting investments, bolstering its status as a reputable player in the secondaries market.

Aquilius’ leadership duo is expected to bring innovative strategies and insights that cater to the diverse needs of the private equity landscape in Asia. With a dedicated team of 30 professionals and $2 billion in assets under management, Aquilius is well-equipped to tackle the complexities of secondaries transactions.

Looking Ahead

As Aquilius continues to expand its footprint, it aims to foster long-term relationships with funds and their managers by offering customized liquidity solutions. The firm’s independent status and strong institutional backing position it favorably to act quickly and decisively in a market that demands adaptability and strategic prowess.

The opening of the Hong Kong office and the strategic onboarding of Yung and Qian illustrates Aquilius’ commitment to developing its services and enhancing its operational capabilities. As the Asia Pacific secondaries market continues to evolve, Aquilius stands ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead, further solidifying its role as a leader in the investment sector.