South Korea
KKR buys Korean commercial property
KKR has teamed up with Hong Kong-based hedge fund LIM Advisors to acquire a commercial property in Seoul’s central business district. It is the private equity firm’s first real estate deal in South Korea.
Sequoia leads $100m round for Korean e-commerce platform
South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang has raised a $100 million round of funding led by Sequoia Capital that is said to value the company at more than $1 billion.
Accelerator fundraising: Backing the batch
The start-up accelerator can offer attractive opportunities for early-stage investors but the business model is still in its infancy and educating potential backers can still be challenge
India to see rise in restructuring opportunities - PE survey
India will see a sharp increase of corporate restructurings over the next 12 months, driven by corporate debt and liquidity issues, according to a PE industry survey by global business advisory firm AlixPartbers.
PE-backed Tongyang Life remains in hunt for Korea's LIG Insurance
Tongyang Life Insurance, a South Korean insurer majority-owned by Vogo Investment, has submitted a binding bid for a controlling stake in LIG Insurance.
Global Brain, 500 Startups lead Series C for couples app
VCNC, the Korean start-up behind couples app Between, has raised a Series C round of investment from Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain and US investor 500 Startups.
POSCO VC leads Series A for Korean online video provider
POSCO Venture Capital - the corporate VC arm Korean steel maker POSCO - has led a $3 million Series A round of funding for online video start-up Shakr Media.
CVC buys KFC Korea franchise
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to buy the South Korea KFC business from domestic conglomerate Doosan for KRW100 billion ($97.9 million).
Skylake, Laird buy Korea's Model Solution
A consortium led by Skylake Investment has partnered with UK-based technology company Laird to buy Model Solution, a South Korean company that specializes in prototype design, for KRW70 billion ($67 million).
1Q analysis: Big fish, small fish
Country fund stars, China VCs make their mark on fundraising; the trade sale spike won't be sustained and the IPO surge may falter too; South Korean buyouts continue to create headlines
Taiwan's Hon Hai in talks to buy MBK-owned cable TV network – report
Hon Hai Precision Industry, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer best known as Foxconn, is said to be in talks with MBK Partners to buy China Network Systems (CNS).
KKR, Affinity complete Oriental Brewery exit
KKR and Affinity Equity Partners have completed their exit of Korea's Oriental Brewery (OB) to previous owner Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) for $5.8 billion.
PE-backed Tongyang Life bids for LIG Insurance
Tongyang Life Insurance, a South Korean insurer majority-owned by Vogo Investment, is among the preliminary bidders for a controlling stake in LIG Insurance.
Altius, Castling team up to target Korean institutional investors
Castling Investment Group has formed a strategic alliance with Altius Associates to jointly distribute private equity, real assets and infrastructure products to South Korean investors.
Korea M&A: Regulatory relief
The Korean government’s recently announced M&A stimulation package includes a relaxation of restrictions on domestic private equity firms. But how much change are these reforms likely to bring?
CyberAgent leads $12m round for Korean food delivery app
Japan's CyberAgent Ventures has been joined by previous investors Altos Ventures, IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital for a $12 million investment in Woowa Bros, the start-up behind Korean food delivery app Baedalui Minjok.
Korean sovereign fund KIC appoints new CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has appointed Heung-Sik Choo, formerly director general at Bank of Korea’s reserve management group, as its new CIO. He replaces Dong-Ik Lee, who resigned in January.
South Korea looks to ease M&A rules for PE
South Korea is planning to relax restrictions concerning M&A transactions in a bid to encourage investment by private equity and strategic investors.
SoftBank Venture backs Thai video game firm Ini3 Digital
SoftBank Ventures Korea (SBVK), the corporate investment arm of the Japanese telecoms giant, has taken a 23% stake in Thai online video game operator Ini3 Digital. The financial terms were not dislosed.
Carlyle to buy Tyco's Korea unit for $1.93b
The Carlyle Group has agreed to buy fire safety and security systems provider Tyco International’s South Korean business for $1.93 billion. According to AVCJ Research, it is the largest-ever buyout in Korea by a global private equity firm.
Carlyle nears deal to buy Korea's Tyco unit - report
The Carlyle Group has been selected as preferred bidder for Tyco International's South Korean security systems unit - ADT Caps
IMM set to buy Hyundai Merchant Marine's LNG business
IMM Private Equity has been selected as the preferred bidder for Hyundai Merchant Marine’s (HMM) liquefied natural gas (LNG) business in a deal worth KRW1.1 trillion ($1 billion). The announcement comes a few weeks after fellow South Korean GP Hahn...
Portfolio: STIC Investments and Access Bio
STIC Investments backed Access Bio when the Korean-led malaria testing technology player wanted to buy key components and expand output. Now KOSDAQ-listed, the company has its eye on specialty diagnostics
KKR, Affinity in Asia's largest-ever trade sale
Anheuser-Busch InBev's $5.8 billion buyback of South Korea's Oriental Brewery from KKR and Affinity Equity Partners is best viewed in the context of extenuating circumstances in which the original investment was made in July 2009.