North Asia
SoftBank Ventures backs Japanese sneaker marketplace
SoftBank Ventures Asia has led a JPY2.2 billion ($21.2 million) Series B round for Japan’s Soda, operator of the online sneaker marketplace Snrk Dunk.
Japan energy solutions buyback continues J-Star's exit run
J-Star, a Japanese lower middle-market GP, has announced its third liquidity event in the space of a week with the exit energy savings solutions provider ESCO via a buyout by company management.
Buyouts in 2021: Winners and losers
Asia could prove to be a deal-rich market in 2021, but buyout investors are still figuring out the long-term implications of COVID-19 for companies that cater to changing consumer demands
Korea media platform gets $12m Series C
Korea’s SV Investment has led a $12 million Series C round for local media and advertising platform Dable at a valuation of around $90 million.
Japan's J-Star confirms two exits
Japan’s J-Star has confirmed trade sale exits of healthcare coverage specialist NHS Insurance and fire safety equipment supplier Yokoi Manufacturing.
Carlyle buys Japanese X-ray equipment maker
The Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in Rigaku Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of X-ray equipment, for an enterprise valuation of approximately JPY100 billion ($970 million).
Applied Materials revises offer for Japan's Kokusai Electric
Applied Materials, which agreed to acquire Japanese semiconductor industry supplier Kokusai Electric from KKR 18 months ago, has increased its offer for the company from $2.2 billion to $3.5 billion.
Blackstone adds ex-government advisor to its Japan ranks
The Blackstone Group has appointed Eiichi Hasegawa, who most recently served as an advisor to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as a senior advisor in the country.
Zeitgeist: 2020 in quotes
What industry participants had to say on China IPOs, conducting due diligence on GPs, waiting for distress opportunities, working from home, co-underwriting deals, and sensible recruitment policies
Timeline: 2020 by numbers
A selection of the key fundraising, investment and exit events - presented in chronological order - from the past 12 months
PAG names Japan PE co-heads
PAG has named Koichi Ito, previously of Credit Suisse, and Yoichi Tamagawa, formerly of Marunouchi Capital, as co-heads of its Japan private equity business.
Delivery Hero wins approval for Woowa deal in Korea
Private equity investors in Korean food delivery business Woowa Brothers look set for a liquidity event after regulators gave conditional approval for a $4 billion acquisition by Delivery Hero.
PE-backed WealthNavi soars on Tokyo debut
Japanese financial technology start-up WealthNavi gained 100% on its trading debut following a JPY17.9 billion ($172.9 million) IPO that facilitated partial exits for Gree Ventures, Infinity Venture Partners, and Global Brain.
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2021
Industry professionals process the upheavals of 2020 to inform outlooks for a range of markets and investment themes. Realist bullishness abounds
OTPP backs Korean fried chicken chain at $1.6b valuation
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has invested in Korean fried chicken restaurant franchisor BHC Group at an enterprise valuation of KRW1.8 trillion ($1.6 billion), facilitating a full exit for Elevation Equity Partners.
IMM raises $1.8b for fourth Korea fund
IMM Private Equity will complete fundraising for its fourth Korea-focused vehicle at the end of this month, with KRW2 trillion ($1.8 billion) in commitments. It caps a year in which the firm expects to close two new investments and agree exits on three...
Fund focus: Integral scales up again
Riding on a wave of IPOs that have returned the principal on Fund II and given Fund III a strong start, Integral Corporation has secured $1.18 billion in commitments for its fourth Japan fund
2020 in review: Surprise guest
The coronavirus pandemic has played havoc with Asian private equity, contributing to a resurgence in IPOs, increased bifurcation in fundraising, a rush for healthcare, and a generally staggered revival
Advantage, Tokyo Century agree Japan health foods deal
Advantage Partners has teamed up with Tokyo Century Corp. and Japanese strategic Euglena to acquire Q’Sai, a local health foods and cosmetics business, from Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings.
J-Star acquires Japan drug wholesaler Genex
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has taken a controlling stake in local pharmaceuticals wholesaler Genex for an undisclosed sum.
SoftBank joins $60m Series B for Korean payments player
SoftBank Ventures Asia has joined a $60 million Series B round for Korean payments technology start-up Chai.
Deal focus: Japan GPs see upside in specialized staffing
CLSA Capital Partners’ sale of Japanese staffing services player Qit to Advantage Partners reveals enduring private equity interest in potentially shaky categories made sturdy by specialization
Japan's Integral completes $1.2b fundraise
Integral Corporation has become the second independent Japanese private equity manager since the global financial crisis to surpass $1 billion in fund size, closing its fourth mid-market buyout vehicle at the hard cap of JPY123.8 billion ($1.18 billion).
Japan’s JIC invests four local start-ups
Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) has backed four local start-ups via its new VC unit. This includes a JPY3 billion ($29 million) commitment to business digitization consultant Monstar Lab.