North Asia
IMM closes third Korea fund at $1.15b
IMM Private Equity has closed its third Korea-focused fund at approximately KRW1.25 trillion ($1.15 billion), having seen an uptick in foreign investor participation compared to the previous vehicle.
Deal focus: OSI fills the labor gap
With Japan's demographic crisis promising more labor shortages, CLSA Capital Partners hopes to ride a coming wave of growth in the staffing services industry
Korean PE investors set for partial exits in Acushnet IPO
Several Korean private equity investors are poised to make a partial exit as Acushnet Holdings, owner of the Titleist and FootJoy golf brands, set a target of $463.9 million for its US IPO.
Portfolio: VIG Partners and Samyang Optics
When VIG Partners acquired Korea-based Samyang Optics, the company was a camera lens manufacturer with untapped potential. It is now looking to challenge the global elite
Korea's POBA commits $120m to US mezzanine managers
South Korea’s Public Officials Benefit Association (POBA) has allocated $120 million to US mezzanine funds managed by Crescent Capital Group, Falcon Investment Advisors and GoldPoint Partners.
MBK loses Greater China head KC Kung
Kuo-Chan Kung, partner and head of Greater China at MBK Partners – and a member of the original team that spun out from The Carlyle Group in 2005 – is leaving the firm.
PE-backed Gong Cha Korea to acquire global parent
Gong Cha Korea, the Unison Capital-backed franchise of the global bubble tea franchise Gong Cha, will take a controlling stake in the Taiwan-based parent company.
Deal focus: VIG sees upside in sector that will never die
Korea's ageing population means greater demand for funeral services and smaller household sizes suggest a growing need for support to pay for them. In Good Sangjo, VIG Partners believes it has a business that can capitalize on these trends
CLSA acquires Japanese BPO firm
CLSA Capital Partners has acquired Japanese business process outsourcing (BPO) company Outsourcing Investments (OSI).
Deal focus: Korean start-up looks beyond fintech logjam
Viva Republica's payments app is said to be the fastest-growing of its kind globally, but the company is now looking to expand into other geographies and other areas of financial services
Baring Asia assumes control of fashion label Cath Kidston
Baring Private Equity Asia has acquired TA Associates’ remaining stake in Cath Kidston, taking control of the UK lifestyle retailer.
Genuine Startups, Ideo launch Japanese VC fund
Japan’s Genuine Startups and US design company Ideo have launched a Tokyo-based venture capital unit that will invest in domestic early-stage companies with plans for international expansion.
VIG secures $480m first close on third Korea fund
VIG Partners has reached a first close of $480 million on its third Korea-focused fund. The GP, which was formerly known as Vogo Investment, is expected to reach its target of $600 million by the end of the year.
Longreach agrees Japan BPO carve-out from Olympus
The Longreach Group has agreed to Nippon Outsourcing Corporation, a business process outsourcing (BPO) subsidiary of Olympus Corporation. The transaction size was not disclosed.
J-Star buys Japan aged care services provider
J-Star will take control of Japanese aged care provider Live Cross through a bolt-on acquisition by the firm’s existing portfolio company Kairos Tokyo.
VIG invests in Korean funeral services provider
VIG Partners – formerly known as Vogo Investment – has secured the first investment from its third fund with an agreement to buy a controlling stake in Good Sangjo, a Korean funeral services provider, for KRW65 billion ($58.6 million).
Japan's INCJ invests $102.6m in domestic VC funds
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has committed up to JPY10.4 billion ($102.6 million) to funds managed by domestic VC firms MedVenture Partners and Universal Materials Incubator.
Eight Roads leads $12m round for Japan's Toreta
Eight Roads Ventures Japan has led a JPY1.2 billion ($11.8 million) investment in Toreta, a Tokyo-based reservation and customer management platform aimed at restaurants.
Ant Capital buys Japanese cosmetics business
Ant Capital Partners has acquired Japan-based Sojitz Cosmetics for an undisclosed sum. The business will be renamed Kagayaku Cosmetics.
Glenwood, NH agree $561m sale of Korea's Tongyang Magic
Glenwood Private Equity and NH Private Equity have agreed to sell Korean consumer appliances manufacturer Tongyang Magic to SK Networks for KRW619 billion ($561 million).
Korea's Viva Republica gets $23.7m Series B
Goodwater Capital and Qualcomm Ventures have led a $23.7 million Series B funding round for South Korean financial technology provider Viva Republica.
CDH to make partial exit through Baroque Japan IPO
Baroque Japan, an apparel business majority-owned by CDH Investments and Chinese women’s shoe retailer Belle International, is seeking to raise around JPY30.86 billion ($307 million) through a Tokyo IPO.
SK Networks named preferred bidder for PE-owned Tongyang Magic
SK Networks is on pole position to acquire Tongyang Magic, a Korean consumer appliances manufacturer owned by Glenwood Private Equity and NH Private Equity, after being named preferred bidder.
iSigma exits Japanese auto parts maker for $99m
ISigma, a mid-size buyout firm controlled by Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni, has agreed to sell domestic automotive industry supplier Iino Manufacturing for JPY10 billion ($99.4 million).