Japan's Zozotown acquires VC-backed Aratana

Set up in 2007, Aratana develops e-commerce applications for smart phones, focusing on social mapping, geo-location and augmented reality. It also develops web-based platforms. According to a release the company - which will continue to operate independently after the deal - has served more than 800 Japanese clients since its inception.

Aratana received a JPY550 million (then $5.5 million) round of funding from a consortium of Japanese backers in September 2013. Investors included NTT Docomo Ventures, internet media firm Livesense, Mizuho Capital, and Jafco.

Prior to that it received three rounds of funding, AVCJ Research data show, beginning with JPY3.5 million from Dogan Advisors in 2010. This was followed by a JPY62 million round led by GMO Venture Partners and Miyazaki Taiyo Capital in 2011, before Jafco came in a year later to invest JPY100 million.

The deal comes within a week of Aratana backer Livesense acquiring a 71.7% stake in VC-backed e-commerce start-up Waja for JPY400 million.

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• Topics
• North Asia
• Buyouts
• Early-stage
• Consumer
• Technology
• M&A
• Japan
• Venture
• Consumer
• JAFCO
• Mizuho Capital
• DOGAN Advisors / DOGAN Investments
• TMT
• GMO Ventures