North Asia
C-Bridge helps Korea's Samsung Bioepis with China expansion
C-Bridge Capital has announced a licensing agreement with Samsung Bioepis that is intended to help the Korean biopharmaceutical specialist expand into the China market.
Japan's J-Will set for $272m buyout of ND Software
J-Will Partners has won board support for its proposed acquisition of ND Sofware, a Japanese software developer that serves the healthcare sector, through a tender offer at a valuation of JPY29.9 billion ($272 million).
CVC exits Japanese care provider to Polaris
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to sell Hitowa Holdings, a Japan-based provider of cleaning, assisted living and childcare support services, to Polaris Private Equity.
Korea's Orchestra buys electronic darts machine maker
Korean middle market investor Orchestra Private Equity has completed the KRW122 billion ($109 million) acquisition of Hong International, the largest global manufacturer of electronic darts machines.
Longreach promotes Takuya Sato to partner
The Longreach Group, a mid-market North Asia buyout firm that has a particular focus on Japan, has promoted Takuya Sato (pictured) to partner.
Japan Airlines launches $70m VC fund
Japan Airlines (JAL) has provided $70 million for a venture capital fund focused on transportation technology start-ups. It will be managed by US-based TransLink Capital.
Korean beauty products player gets $35m Series D
JJDC, an investment arm of healthcare and consumer goods giant Johnson & Johnson, has led a $35 million Series D round for South Korean online beauty products retailer Memebox.
VCs commit $15m to Japanese AI specialist
A group of venture capital firms, including SBI Investment, have invested $15 million in a Series B round for Cinnamon, a Japanese artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on office automation.
Nomura, Carlyle bid for Japan’s Orion Breweries
Japanese investment bank Nomura and The Carlyle Group have made a JPY52.1 billion ($477 million) tender offer as part of a proposed management buyout of Japan-based beer maker Orion Breweries.
Jafco acquires Japanese manufacturer from China SOE
Jafco has acquired Japanese construction equipment manufacturer Nagano Industry (NKK) from Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE) Beijing Jingcheng Machinery Electric Holding (Jingcheng).
Japan's SBI invests $15m in Swiss blockchain player
SBI Crypto Investment, a unit of Japan’s SBI Holdings formed to back digital asset-focused start-ups, has invested $15 million in Tangem, a Switzerland-based producer of blockchain smart card wallets.
Bain makes tender offer for Japan's Kosaido
Bain Capital Private Equity has launched a tender offer for Japan-listed printing and IT solutions provider Kosaido that values the target company at approximately JPY15.2 billion ($139 million).
American Express buys Japan's Pocket Concierge
American Express has acquired Pocket Concierge, a Japanese digital services provider for the restaurant industry backed by several domestic venture capital firms.
Japan's Mitsui backs $100m VC fund in Israel
Japan’s Mitsui & Co has invested in Israel-based Magenta Venture Partners’ debut fund, which is targeting $100 million and to date backed entirely by Japanese corporates.
AVCJ Awards 2018: Firm of the Year - Large Cap: Bain Capital
Bain Capital’s recent investment and exit activity underlines the importance of cross-border competencies. The GP also won the awards for Deal of the Year - Large Cap and Exit of the Year - Large Cap
Wooseok Jun to lead ICG Asia Pacific
Wooseok Jun, currently managing director and head of South Korea at Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), has been named head of Asia Pacific for the firm. He replaces Chris Heine, who retired at the end of 2018.
Venture capital: The battle to be different
VC fundraising has been on a roll in Asia as managers raise larger sums to address fast-growing investment opportunities. GPs must consider what – and how much – makes them stand out from the crowd
Rohatyn's Korea team spins out
The Rohatyn Group’s (TRG) Korea team has spun out to form a new private equity firm called Elevation Equity Partners.
AVCJ Awards 2018: Deal of the Year - Mid Cap: Joy Rent a Car
Joy Rent a Car was a small-ticket acquisition by Hahn & Company’s standards, but the GP has big plans to turn the company into a change agent in Korean used car financing
CLSA buys Japan parking lot operator
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired 100% of Ecolo Holdings, a Japanese parking lot business that operates primarily under the name Ecolocity.
Polaris buys filling station technology business from Hitachi
Japan’s Polaris Capital Group has agreed to buy Hitachi Automotive Systems Measurement (HASM), an automotive components subsidiary of Hitachi Corporation.
Axiom Asia completes $1.6b fundraise
Axiom Asia has closed its fifth regional fund-of-funds at $1.39 billion - beating the target of $1.01 billion - and also raised $210 million for its first dedicated co-investment vehicle.
AVCJ Awards 2018: Fundraising of the Year - Mid Cap: Japan Industrial Partners
With $1.4 billion in dry powder at its disposal, Japan Industrial Partners has the firepower to target a wider variety of corporate carve-out opportunities
Deal focus: Cool Japan helps Spiber spin chic new web
Cool Japan has taken a new angle on its cultural investment thesis with Spiber, a biotechnology developer bringing next-generation materials to the apparel industry
