North Asia
Korean carve-outs: Network effects
Chaebol carve-outs have historically been elusive for global firms operating in Korea. A growing appreciation of their value-add capabilities could be the catalyst needed to direct more deals their way
TA invests in Unison-backed Gong Cha - update
TA Associates has acquired a controlling stake in Gong Cha, the Taiwan-based bubble tea chain backed by Unison Capital.
CITIC joins $34m round for Japanese e-commerce platform
CITIC Capital has participated in a JPY3.6 billion ($34.1 million) funding round for Active Sonar, operator of Reclo, a Japanese online re-selling platform for luxury brands.
Japan's JPIC backs $33m round for Atonarp
Japan Post Investment Corporation (JPIC) has backed a $33 million Series C round for Atonarp, a Tokyo-based molecular diagnostics systems developer that uses artificial intelligence (AI).
Japan edge computing specialist gets $7.8m
Global Brain has led a $7.8 million round for Idein, a Japanese technology developer focused on systems for device-level data processing, also known as edge computing.
Japanese space robot developer gets Series A round
Gitai, a Japanese start-up that is developing robots that can replace astronauts on low-orbit space missions, has raised $4.1 million in Series A funding.
J-Star exits Japanese auto industry supplier
J-Star has sold Tokai Trim, a Japanese manufacturer of seat covers for cars and motorcycles, to domestic hotel chain operator Rembrandt Holdings.
Deal focus: Longreach secures swift return from Japan's NOC
The Longreach Group exits Nippon Outsourcing Corporation with a 2.7x return after strong domestic interest in Japan's demographics-driven BPO industry led to a shorter-than-expected holding period
Japan's VC-backed Chatwork files for IPO
Chatwork, a Japan-based business chat platform developer, has filed for an IPO in Tokyo that will provide an exit to several of its venture capital backers.
Korean biotech player gets $137m Series B
D&D Pharmatech, a South Korean biotechnology company, has raised a $137 million Series B round from a group of Korean and US investors.
Korea's Pavilion to pay $54m for firefighting business
Korea’s Pavilion Private Equity has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in domestic firefighting equipment maker Paratech for about KRW65 billion ($54 million).
Kleiner Perkins, Aspex lead $64m round for Korea's Viva Republica
Kleiner Perkins and Aspex Management, a pan-Asia investor founded in Hong Kong last year, have led a $64 million round for Korean financial technology start-up Viva Republica.
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
JC Flowers plans near-full exit from Japan's Shinsei Bank
US-based private equity firm JC Flowers is planning to sell nearly all of its stake in Japanese financial institution Shinsei Bank for an undisclosed amount.
Integral agrees carve-out of Japanese refrigerator supplier
Integral Corporation has agreed a JPY50 billion ($471 million) carve-out of a subsidiary of Tokyo-listed Sanden Holdings Corporation that supplies refrigerators for use in convenience stores and vending machines.
Macro and diversity: All hands on deck
As women participate in economies across Asia in larger numbers, investors must consider how this impacts their target markets. Gender-balanced portfolios will no longer be a nice-to-have
Japan Post Capital leads $29m Series E for SmartNews
Tokyo-based news app operator SmartNews is said to have achieved unicorn status following a JPY3.1 billion ($29.2 million) Series E round led by Japan Post Capital.
Unison launches Japan hospital roll-up platform
Unison Capital has made the first investment from a newly created platform that will pursue a roll-up strategy in Japan’s hospital industry, with JPY50-60 billion ($467-560 million) set to be committed over the next five years.
Baring Asia buys Korean leasing business from JC Flowers
Baring Private Equity Asia has acquired Korean consumer finance and leasing services provider Acuon Capital from JC Flowers for an undisclosed sum.
Japan Industrial Partners makes tender offer for Nippon Avionics
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) has agreed to buy NEC Corporation's majority stake in Tokyo-listed electronics supplier Nippon Avionics and launched a tender offer that values the company at about JPY3.1 billion ($28.4 million).
Japan's Coral Capital names new partner
Coral Capital, formerly 500 Startups Japan, has named Google Japan’s head of start-ups and strategic relations Ken Nishimura (pictured) as a partner and chief editor.
Japan middle market: Going local
Private equity firms looking for an edge in Japan’s middle market are leveraging relationships with brokers and banks – including LPs in their funds – to access company founders in the hinterlands
Japan space tech start-up raises $100m
Synspective, a Japan-based satellite developer and orbital data services provider, has raised $100 million in a Series A round with participation from a group including SBI Investment.
SoftBank expects at least $108b for second Vision Fund
SoftBank Group is set to establish its second Vision Fund focused on artificial intelligence (AI) with about $108 billion in initial commitments.