North Asia
Blackstone buys Korean drug distributor
The Blackstone Group has acquired Geo-Young, a South Korean wholesale drug distributor, working in conjunction with the founders. It facilitates an exit for local GP Anchor Equity Partners, which invested in the company in 2013.
Magic Leap gets $280m from Docomo, targets Japan expansion
Magic Leap, a US virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) goggles maker backed by several private equity firms, has secured $280 million for a Japanese expansion from NTT Docomo.
Globis raises $321m for Japan VC fund
Japanese venture capital firm Globis Capital Partners has raised JPY36 billion ($321 million) for its sixth fund. The overall target of JPY37.5 billion is expected to be reached by June.
INCJ-backed Japan Display agrees $2.1b foreign bailout
Japan Display, an electronics supplier backed by Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), has agreed a JPY232 billion ($2.1 billion) bailout, including an approximately $714 million investment from China’s Harvest Fund Management.
Japan's Astroscale expands Series D by $30m
Astroscale, a Japan-based space technology company focused on debris removal, has announced a $30 million extension to its Series D round, bringing the total raised to $80 million.
INCJ leads $230m round for Japan's JOLED
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a JPY25.5 billion ($230 million) round for domestic display screen manufacturer and technology developer JOLED.
Bain falls short in tender offer for Japan's Kosaido
The proposed JPY17.4 billion ($157 million) acquisition of Japanese printing and IT services provider Kosaido by Bain Capital has reached an impasse after the private equity firm’s tender offer failed to win sufficient shareholder support.
Fund focus: Back on the map
The Longreach Group has leveraged rising appetite for exposure to Japan’s middle market with a $650 million close for its latest buyout fund. Increased global participation contributed to the result
Korean online grocery player secures $88m Series D
Market Kurly, a four-year-old Korean start-up that provides online grocery delivery services, has raised KRW100 billion ($88 million) in Series D funding.
Japan's Chikyoren awards overseas PE mandate
Japan’s Pension Fund Association for Local Government Officials (Chikyoren) has awarded an overseas private equity mandate to Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management.
Deal focus: Carlyle backs Tokiwa’s global beauty push
Well-established as a manufacturer of choice for global cosmetics brands looking to tweak their products for the Japanese market, Tokiwa is now looking to go global. The Carlyle Group will provide assistance
Advantage to exit Japanese outdoor sports equipment retailer
Advantage Partners has agreed to sell Ishii Sports, a Tokyo-based outdoor sports equipment retailer it acquired three years ago, to local consumer electronics store operator Yodobashi Holdings.
Longreach closes latest buyout fund at $650m
The Longreach Group has reached a final close of $650 million on its third North Asia-focused mid-market buyout fund.
Carlyle invests in Japanese cosmetics maker Tokiwa
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Tokiwa to support its domestic and overseas expansion plans.
Korea's Standigm raises $11.5m Series B
Mirae Asset Capital has led a $11.5 million Series B round for Standigm, a Korean drug discovery and development company that uses artificial intelligence (AI).
Dai-ichi Life backs energy-focused Japan VC fund
Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance has agreed to invest JPY1 billion ($9.1 million) in a venture fund managed by local energy and cleantech specialist Energy & Environment Investment (EEI).
Golden Gate, Hanwha target SE Asia's Series B rounds
Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures has partnered with South Korea's Hanwha Asset Management to invest in Series B rounds for Southeast Asian start-ups.
Deal focus: CLSA teams up with ‘Chanel for children’
CLSA Capital Partners goes niche in Japan’s retail space with the acquisition of premium toymaker Bloom Group. A range of strategic and operational value-add measures are on the table
Japan VC: Positive energy
Japan’s quiet venture capital space is booming within its own borders. Signs of a stronger exit market and an exuberant influx of corporate involvement are encouraging themes, but they will play out slowly
DNX Ventures launches $300m Japan-US VC fund
DNX Ventures, formerly known as Draper Nexus Ventures, has launched its third Japan-US cross-border VC fund with a target of $300 million.
Unison to exit Japan's Ayumi to Blackstone
The Blackstone Group has made its first transaction in Japan, agreeing to acquire Ayumi Pharmaceutical Corporation from Unison Capital and medical information site operator M3.
CLSA buys Japanese toy maker
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to buy Bloom Group, a Japanese toy manufacturer best known for its “squishy” products popular among elementary and middle-school-age girls.
MBK-owned Homeplus abandons plan for Korean REIT
Homeplus, a South Korean supermarket retailer that an MBK Partners-led consortium acquired from Tesco for $6.4 billion in 2015, has abandoned plans for the IPO of a real estate investment trust (REIT).
Japan's Infinity Ventures targets $120m for fourth fund
Japan-based Infinity Ventures has launched its fourth fund focused on Japan and China with a target of $120 million.
