Articles by Andrew Woodman
Axa to exit Arkadin to Japan's NTT
Axa Private Equity has entered exclusive negotiations with Japan's NTT Communications Corporation to sell its stake in collaboration software as a service (SaaS) provider Arkadin.
Jafco invests $10m in lunch box delivery start-up
Japanese VC firm Jafco Ventures has invested JPY1 billion ($10 million) in Star Festival, the start-up behind lunchbox delivery and catering site Gochikuru.com.
Advantage Partners exits Japan's Kazaka Securities
Japanese mid-market buyout firm Advantage Partners has sold its stake in Kazaka Securities to Osaka-based Naito Securities. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Australia's Hastings buys Phoenix Energy from Terra Firma
Australian infrastructure investor Hasting Funds Management has acquired 100% of Northern Irish gas distribution company Phoenix Natural Gas from Terra Firma. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Japan's Advantage reaches final close on $200m bridge fund
Japanese mid-market buyout firm Advantage Partners has closed its latest fund, having reached the JPY20 billion ($200 million) hard cap after about five months in the market.
China's 58.com plans for $100m IPO in the US - report
Chinese venture capital-backed local classifieds website 58.com intends to raise at least $100 million through a US IPO later this year.
Ex-World Bank president joins Temasek board
Former World Bank President Robert Zoellick has been appointed to the board of directors at Temasek Holdings as the Singapore state-owned investment firm looks to open its first US office.
Daiwa, Intec invest $2m in Japan's Repica
Japan's Daiwa PI Partners and Intec IT Capital have invested JPY200 million ($2 million) in Repica, a company that develops CRM solutions for Japanese businesses.
Nomura, Next Capital-backed Ashikaga files for IPO - report
Ashikaga Holdings, which is backed by Nomura Financial Partners and Next Capital Partners, has applied to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) for what could be a $1 billion IPO.
Carlyle registers third Japan fund
The Carlyle Group has registered its third Japan buyout fund with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Although initial reports put the target at $2 billion, sources told AVCJ in June that the GP was looking for around $1 billion.
GCS sees Dexia asset management deal collapse - Update
GCS Capital's EUR380m ($503 million) bid to acquire the asset management arm of Dexia collapsed yesterday after the Franco-Belgian bank said the Hong Kong PE firm had been unable to pay for the deal.
INCJ invests $27m in Japan patent fund
Government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY2.75 billion ($27.8 million) in a fund that will buy unused patents and license them to domestic start-ups.
Japan's ACA targets $100m for domestic IT fund
Japanese buyout firm Asian Capital Alliance (ACA) is targeting $100 million for a new fund focused on businesses in the domestic information and communications technology space.
Australia mining: Swings and roundabouts
The end of the commodities super-cycle in Australia has impacted both mining companies and the businesses that serves them. Private equity can benefit, but only if it digs deep
China Molybdenum beats strategics, PE to Rio Tinto copper mine stake
China Molybdenum (CMOC) has fought off competition from PE and strategic investors to acquire an 80% stake in Rio Tinto's Northparkes copper mine in Australia for $820 million.
Nissay Capital backs Japanese online ad platform Dennoo
Nissay Capital has invested $1.1 million in Japanese online ad platform, Dennoo. The investment brings the start-up's total amount of venture capital funding to $3.1 million.
Asia Pacific Capital completes $25m Series C round for Ciris Energy
Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Capital (APC) has invested $15 million in Ciris Energy, a US company that converts coal to natural gas, concluding a $25 million Series C round of investment.
Femto invests $1m in Japanese restaurant app startup
Japanese venture capital firm Femto has committed JPY100 million ($1 million) of seed funding in Toreta, a start-up developing apps for the food service industry.
Revolution Growth invests $40m in Australia's Bigcommerce
US venture capital firm Revolution Growth has invested $40 million in Australian tech start-up Bigcommerce. The company sells e-commerce software for online retailers covering website design, store management, marketing and electronic payments.
GCS Capital, Dexia deal in doubt as deadline missed
GCS Capital's proposed EUR380 million ($502 million) purchase of the Dexia's asset management arm has been thrown in to doubt after the Franco-Belgian bank ceased talks on the deal yesterday.
DCM, Infinity invest $2.7m in Japanese accounting software firm
DCM and Infinity Capital Partners have invested $2.7 million in Japanese online accounting software company, Freee, as part of a Series A round of funding.
East Ventures backs Japanese flea market app Mercari
East Ventures has invested JPY50 million ($500,000) in Mercari, a Japanese flea market app launched by former Zynga Japan General Manager Shintaro Yamada.
Kartrocket gets seed funding from 5ideas Startup Superfuel, 500 Startups
Indian e-commerce platform Kartrocket has raised a seed round of funding from 5ideas Startup Superfuel and 500 Startups.
Jungle Ventures secures TravelMob exit
Four years ago, Asia Pacific became the world’s largest aviation market, with 647 million travelers taking flights within the region compared to 638 million in North America. This growth shows no sign of slowing down – in the first four months of 2013,...