North Asia
Japan's Global Brain launches two VC funds, expands global remit
Japan’s Global Brain has launched its eighth flagship VC fund, seeking JPY40 billion ($352 million) for a more international-facing mandate. It has also launched a follow-on fund targeting JPY10 billion.
2021 in review: Boom time
Cheap debt and a desire for assets that deliver technology-driven growth have propelled Asia private equity investment to new highs and supported a resurgence in exits. But fundraising still fails to convince
Endeavor United to buy chemicals unit from Japan's Bridgestone
Endeavour United, a Japanese private equity firm established by the team behind turnaround investor Phoenix Capital, has agreed to buy Bridgestone Corporation’s chemical products solutions business for an undisclosed sum.
Korea anti-aging polymer maker gets $22m
Dexlevo, a Korean biotech company specializing in anti-aging dermal fillers, has raised KRW26 billion ($22 million) in pre-IPO funding led by local GPs Magna Investment and Smilegate Investment.
Vision Fund backs Japan sneaker marketplace
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has made a Series D investment of undisclosed size in Japan’s Soda, operator of sneaker reselling platform Snkr Dunk, at a valuation of JPY38 billion ($336 million).
Bain leads $63m Series C for Korea's PeopleFund
Bain Capital has led a KRW75.9 billion ($64.5 million) Series C round for PeopleFund, a Korean lending platform. It is described as the largest funding round in the country’s P2P finance industry.
Vision Fund leads $188m investment in Naver's metaverse
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 is the largest participant in a KRW223.6 billion ($187 million) investment in Naver Z, the metaverse platform unit of Korean internet giant Naver Corporation.
STIC commits $840m to Korea's Iljin Materials
STIC Investments has led a KRW1 trillion ($840 million) investment in Iljin Materials, a Korean producer of electric foils used in lithium batteries and consumer electronics, to support the international expansion of its manufacturing footprint.
Japan space debris start-up Astroscale gets $109m Series F
Astroscale, a Japanese space tech start-up dedicated to cleaning up orbital debris, has raised $109 million in Series F funding from investors including London-listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust, Japan Growth Capital Investment, and Axa Life Insurance....
Bain leads $69m Series C for Japan's Linc'well
Bain Capital has led a JPY8 billion ($69 million) Series C round for Linc’well, a Japan-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that caters to medical institutions.
Deal focus: Orchestra delivers pizza to Seoul
Banolim has become Korea’s fourth-largest pizza delivery business largely on the back of savvy marketing and expansion in lower-tier cities. Orchestra Private Equity is supporting a rollout in Seoul
Carlyle acquires Korean cafe operator, Anchor Equity exits
The Carlyle Group has acquired A Twosome Place, a Korea-based café operator with more than 1,400 stores nationwide, from Anchor Equity Partners.
MBK sells Japan's Accordia Golf to Fortress
MBK Partners has agreed to sell Japan-based golf course operator Accordia Golf, which it acquired in 2017 via a tender offer, to Fortress Investment Group.
Japan's Olympus launches VC unit, $50m fund
Japan’s Olympus Corporation has launched a medical technology-focused venture capital unit, Olympus Innovation Ventures, with an initial commitment of $50 million for its debut fund.
Google backs Korea edtech player Mathpresso
Google has made a strategic investment of undisclosed size in Korean education technology provider Mathpresso, bringing total funding to around $105 million.
North Asia IPOs: Welcome eruptions
A steady rhythm of small and mid-sized IPOs in North Asia is now being punctuated by globally noticeable events. Valuations are up, but Korean and Japanese investors are game
Activists, growth equity among Japan deal drivers - AVCJ Forum
Private equity deal flow in Japan is likely to increase in the coming years, spurred by factors ranging from activist investors to the rise of growth equity, industry participants told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
PAG buys Japan restaurant business
PAG has bought Gyro Holdings, a Japan-based restaurant operator that operates more than 90 brands, most of them based on izakaya concepts. The size of the deal was not disclosed.
Mizuho spinout targets $263m for Japan buyout fund
MCP Capital (MCPC), a Japanese lower mid-market buyout firm that spun out from Mizuho Bank earlier this year, is looking to raise up to JPY30 billion ($263.2 million) for its sixth fund.
Capital, talent flock to Japanese start-ups - AVCJ Forum
Japan’s early-stage investment environment has improved dramatically over the past several years with the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, industry participants told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
Blackstone names ex-Morgan Stanley banker as Japan chair
The Blackstone Group has appointed Ryusuke Shigetomi, formerly vice chairman for global investment banking at Morgan Stanley, as representative director and chairman of its Japan operations.
Korea's IMM leads $64m round for vertical farming company
Korea’s IMM Investment has led a $64.5 million round for Abu Dhabi-based vertical farming company Pure Harvest Smart Farms as part of an Asian expansion
Affirma achieves $473m final close on fifth Korea fund
Affirma Capital has closed its fifth Korea-focused fund with KRW543 billion ($473 million) in commitments, marking its first successful fundraise since spinning out from Standard Chartered.
Japan's Keystone targets $440m for Fund V
Tokyo-based Keystone Partners is looking to raise around JPY50 billion ($440 million) for its fifth Japan-focused fund, which will make a combination of growth and turnaround investments.