North Asia
Korea: A good time to be different?
Macroeconomic uncertainty and liquidity risk are pushing Korean private equity firms to think beyond buyouts, double down on operational capabilities, and consider all their exit options
Affirma leads $217m investment in Korean digital insurer
Affirma Capital has led a KRW 300bn (USD 217m) funding round – at a valuation of KRW 1trn – for Carrot General Insurance, a South Korea-based digital insurer.
Global Brain leads $30m Series A for Japan's Josys
Global Brain has led a JPY 4.4bn (USD 30.5m) Series A round for Japanese business automation and IT services platform Josys with plans for an international expansion.
Deal focus: PAG goes back to the theme park
PAG returns to a historically fruitful niche with the acquisition of Japanese theme park operator Huis Ten Bosch. COVID-19 made the deal possible but remains a wildcard
Korea's MegaStudy pulls plug on 35% stake sale to MBK
MegaStudy Education, a listed Korean education provider with a market capitalisation of nearly KRW 900bn (USD 660m) has decided against selling a stake to North Asia-focused private equity firm MBK Partners.
Integral pursues $144m tender for Japan office services business
Integral Corporation has launched a tender offer for Daiohs Corporation, a Tokyo-listed provider of office services – such as coffee machines and water dispensers as well as cleaning services – at a valuation of approximately JPY 20.2bn (USD 144m).
Japan remote workforce player oVice raises $32m
Japan’s oVice, a start-up that provides virtual co-working spaces for remote and hybrid teams, has raised JPY 4.5bn (USD 32.1m) in Series B funding featuring Jafco and Eight Roads Ventures.
Orchestra Private Equity buys Japan scaffolding business
Orchestra Private Equity, which specialises in cross-border transactions involving Korea, Japan, and China, has acquired Japan-based scaffolding provider Stack for an undisclosed sum.
Japan’s D Capital nears target for debut PE fund
Japan’s D Capital, a private equity firm specialising in digital transformation that spun out from Unison Capital last year, has raised JPY 26bn (USD 188m) for its debut fund against a target of JPY 30bn.
Japan middle market: Crowded field
The expansion of Japan’s middle-market private equity scene has not kept pace with the rise in global investor interest. Spiking competition is inducing GP formation, but impediments are myriad
PAG buys Japanese theme park for $722m
PAG has agreed to buy Huis Ten Bosch, a Japanese theme park best known for its recreations of idyllic European cityscapes, for an equity valuation of approximately JPY 100bn (USD 722m).
Japan carve-outs: Improving the old
Private equity investors are keen to acquire mature but unloved assets from Japanese corporates and reposition them for growth. Execution is seldom straightforward, and size often means complexity
Bain agrees $3b carve-out from Japan's Olympus
Bain Capital has agreed to acquire Evident, a Japan-based medical devices manufacturer best known for producing microscopes, from Olympus Corporation for JPY 427.7bn (USD 3.08bn).
AIGF closes second ASEAN fund on $127m
AIGF Advisors, a private equity firm sponsored by Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, has closed its second ASEAN-focused fund with JPY 17.3bn (USD 127m) in commitments.
Japan healthcare AI start-up Ubie closes $26m Series C
Japan’s Ubie, a healthcare technology start-up that uses artificial intelligence (AI) for symptom-checking questionnaires, has raised USD 26.2m in Series C funding from local investors.
Korea medical tech start-up raises $20m Series B
Korea’s Airs Medical, a healthcare technology provider active in diagnostics software and robotics, has raised USD 20m in Series B funding from Klim Ventures, Q Capital Partners, and Hanwha Life Insurance.
Korea's KIC names Hoon Lee as CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has appointed Hoon Lee, previously head of its investment strategy and innovation division, as CIO.
PE-backed Korean ride-sharing player Socar drops on debut
Socar, a Korea-based car-sharing business backed by the likes of Bain Capital, IMM Private Equity, and SoftBank Ventures Asia, traded down on debut following a KRW 101.9bn (USD 76m) IPO.
Korea's Kakao abandons plans for mobility unit stake sale
South Korean internet giant Kakao has abandoned plans to partially divest Kakao Mobility, its transportation division.
Korea start-up equity management platform raises $11m
QuotaBook, a South Korea-based equity management platform that helps start-ups organise their cap tables, has received USD 11m in the second tranche of a Series A round.
Mobility: Batteries and beyond
The electrification of transportation has created a wealth of opportunities in energy saving and storage. Investors across Asia – led by China – are looking at batteries and other technologies
Alternative fuels: Burning questions
From the landfill to the inside of atoms, the alternative fuels angle on energy transition gives investors a range of risk profiles to consider. Developed economies are the primary playgrounds
Partners Group appoints Japan private equity head
Partners Group has initiated full-scale coverage of Japan’s private equity market with the recruitment of Tatsuya Ochi to lead local operations for the asset class.
