Articles by Andrew Woodman
Cerberus completes Kokusai Kogyo exit - report
Cerberus Capital Management has reportedly completed the sale of its stake in Japanese property operator Kokusai Kogyo for about JPY140 million ($1.37 billion).
Sony agrees to sell Vaio PC unit to JIP
Sony has confirmed that it plans to sell its loss-making Vaio PC division to Tokyo-based mid-market buyout shop Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). Financial details have not been disclosed but previous estimates valued the deal at around JPY40-50 billion...
VCs commit $14.3m to Japan online printing start-up
A consortium of Japanese venture capital investors including Global Brain, World Innovation Lab (WiL), Itochu Technology Ventures and GMO Ventures have invested JPY1.45 billion ($14.3 million) in Raksul, a Tokyo-based start-up providing online printing...
Globis, Gree invest in Japan crowd-sourced editing platform
Globis Capital Partners and Gree Ventures have together invested JPY300 million ($2.9 million) in Viibar, the Japanese start-up behind the video production-focused crowd sourcing platform of the same name.
EQT's new fund goes global
The acquisition of a 65% stake in Qinyuan Bakery in 2010 was EQT Partners’ debut food service sector investment in China. Yet the deal was familiar territory for the GP, which was able draw on previous portfolio investments in Europe, including Vaasan&Vassan,...
Tempting offers: Australian IPOs
Following a prolonged drought, Australia has seen a recent spike in private equity-backed IPOs. Is this a flash in the pan or are public market exits on the cusp of a sustained comeback?
CHAMP Ventures plans IPO for SG Fleet
CHAMP Ventures is seeking to exit its 42% stake in Australian vehicle leasing and fleet management business SG Fleet Holdings by way of an IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
India's National Innovation Council launches $792m fund
India's National Innovation Council (NIC) and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MMSME) have together launched a new venture fund targeting INR50 billion ($792 million).
ASA calls for Billabong delay over Oaktree, Centerbridge deal
The Australian Shareholders Association (ASA) has called on Australian surf wear company Billabong International to delay a shareholder vote on a decision that could give PE creditors Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners as much as 40.8%...
Japan's Venture United raises $11m fund
Venture United - the corporate investment arm of Japanese media group United - has raised a new JPY1.26 billion yen ($11 million) fund focusing on internet-related start-ups.
CyberAgent Ventures backs Japan language learning site
CyberAgent Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the company behind Japanese blogging site Ameba, has invested an undisclosed amount in language learning platform Lang-8.
Singapore's Luminor Capital invests $6.1m Swiss NGFI
Luminor Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm, has invested CHF5.5 million ($6.1 million)in Switzerland's Next Generation Finance Invest (NGFI).
Singapore online grocer RedMart raises $5.4m funding round
RedMart, an online grocery service based in Singapore, has raised a $5.4 million round of funding led by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. Other investors in the bridge round included JFDI.Asia co-founder Meng Weng Wong, The Lo & Behold Group founder...
Japanese VCs invest $4m in social retail app developer
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and DBJ Capital have joined existing investors DCM Japan, Itochu Technology Ventures and Jafco Ventures, in a JPY400 million ($3.8 million) round of funding for Tokyo-based Tab, the start-up behind the location-based retail recommendation...
Profile: Globis Capital Partners' Yoshito Hori
From bust to boom, Yoshito Hori, CEO and founder of Globis Capital Management, has spent 20 years investing in Japanese VC - a story that is as much about education as it is capital
Japan Industrial Partners eyes $666m Biglobe deal - report
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) could acquire Biglobe, Japan's fourth-largest internet service provider (ISP) by number of customers, from IT giant NEC in a deal worth JPY70 billion ($666 million).
Tokio Marine invests $9.5m in furniture maker Asplund
Tokio Marine Capital has acquired a majority stake in Japanese furniture maker Asplund for around JPY1 billion ($9.5 million).
Japanese VCs invest $1.5m in ad platform Logly
Voyage Ventures, Mizuho Capital, SMBC Venture Capital and strategic investor CA Mobile have together invested JPY120 million ($1.15 million) in Logly, a Japan-based start-up running an internet ad platform.
TPG appoints Khazanah's Ganen Sarvananthan as Asia partner
TPG Capital has appointed Ganen Sarvananthan, former executive director and head of investments at Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah, as a partner and managing director with its Asian business.
Carlyle completes partial exit from HK-listed Haier Electronics
The Carlyle Group has raised around $285 million after selling part of its stake in Hong Kong-listed appliance maker Haier Electronics Group.
Accel, Tiger Global invest $10.3m in India's CommonFloor
Accel and Tiger Global have upped their stake in Indian online real estate portal CommonFloor, together investing an additional INR640 million ($10.3 million) in the company.
Hamilton Lane adds two senior Asia professionals
Hamilton Lane has added two senior professionals to its Asia team, appointing Mingchen Xia as principal on the fund investment team and Yen Li Chew as vice president within its business development group - both will be based in Hong Kong.
RRJ-backed China diaper maker plans HK IPO - report
AAB Group, a Chinese diaper maker backed by RRJ Capital, is said to be looking to raise as much as $300 million through an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Tyco shortlists PE firms for Korean unit - report
KKR, Bain Capital, IMM Private Equity and The Carlyle Group are reportedly among those shortlisted by US security specialist Tyco International as potential buyers for its South Korean unit - ADT Caps - in deal worth as much as $1.4 billion.