North Asia
Fund focus: Geodesic helps US start-ups go big in Japan
The former US ambassador to Japan and the ex-head of Andreessen Horowitz's growth investment practice have joined forces to help US start-ups gain traction in Japan
Permira buys John Masters Organics, Japanese distributor
Permira will buy a controlling stake in John Masters Organics (JMO), owner of the eponymous personal care brand, and its exclusive distributor in Japan and East Asia for an enterprise valuation of JPY37 billion ($336 million).
SCPE to buy controlling stake in Korea's Kolon Water & Energy
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in South Korean wastewater treatment specialist Kolon Water & Energy (KWE) for KRW88.6 billion ($74.9 million).
CITIC Capital exits Tri-Wall to Japan's Rengo
CITIC Capital Partners has agreed to sell its majority stake in Tri-Wall Holdings, an Asia-focused heavy duty packaging business, to Japanese packaging manufacturer Rengo for $221.7 million.
Geodesic closes $335m VC fund to bridge US, Asia
Geodesic Capital, a US-based venture capital firm focused on helping start-ups drive Japanese expansion, has closed its first fund at $335 million.
Deal focus: WiL chisels start-up gold from corporate Japan
Having previously developed its technology under the wing of NTT Docomo, Soracom went independent with World Innovation Lab's assistance and is now targeting global expansion
Deal focus: CLSA CP school deal breaks new ground
CLSA Capital Partners makes what is likely the first-ever private equity investment in a Japanese cram school
Japan's AbbaLab launches $14m start-up fund
AbbaLab, a Japanese start-up incubator focused on hardware prototyping in the internet-of-things (IoT) space, has launched a JPY1.5 billion ($14 million) fund.
CLSA Capital Partners backs Japan school operator
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested in Japanese school operator BC Ings through its Sunrise II buyout fund.
Keystone named preferred bidder for Korea's Dongbu
Local GP Keystone Private Equity has been selected as the preferred bidder for distressed Korean construction company Dongbu Corporation.
Japanese pharma group launches global VC arm
Japanese oncology specialist Taiho Pharmaceutical has launched a VC arm that will invest an initial pool of $50 million in global start-ups focused on cancer therapies.
Japan's Gree reaches $37m first close on second fund
Gree Ventures – the VC arm of Japanese online media and gaming company Gree - has achieved a first close of its second fund with about $37 million in commitments.
WiL, Infinity join $22m round for Japan's Soracom
World Innovation Lab (WiL) and Infinity Venture Partners are among the participants in a JPY2.4 billion ($22 million) round of funding for Soracom, a Japan-based internet of things (IoT) communications platform.
Gree, GMO in $4.6m round for Japan's Sorabito
Sorabito, the Japanese operator of an online marketplace for heavy machinery, has received JPY500 million ($4.6 million) from investors including Gree Ventures and existing backer GMO Venture Partners.
Korea's GEPS seeks offshore secondaries managers
South Korea’s Government Pension Investment Service (GEPS) is looking to make two commitments – of $50 million apiece – to overseas GPs operating co-mingled global secondaries funds.
Japan's JBIC to invest in KKR Americas fund
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has made an LP commitment to KKR’s latest North American fund. The size of the investment was not disclosed.
AID in $13m round for Japan home rental site
AID Partners and Cool Japan Fund have contributed to a JPY1.4 billion ($13 million) round for Japan’s Hyakusenrenma, an online vacation rentals platform.
India's IL&FS pushes back deadline on latest fund
IL&FS Investment Managers (IIML), the private equity arm of India's Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services, has pushed back the deadline on its growth fund, with final close now expected in the first half of 2016.
Korea VC fundraising: Unbalanced boom
The forces behind a bumper year for South Korean venture fundraising serve as a reminder that local players must do more to build much-needed international relationships
Japan Post targets higher-yield assets
The new CEO of Japan Post Holdings has underlined his commitment to targeting riskier asset classes, including private equity and direct M&A opportunities. This comes as several local insurers are branching out into higher-return investments overseas...
Hillhouse leads $50m round for Korea's Baedal Minjok
China’s Hillhouse Capital has led a $50 million investment in Woowa Brothers, owner and operator of leading South Korean online food-ordering platform Baedal Minjok.
SoftBank defends under fire COO Nikesh Arora
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank has spoken out in defense of Nikesh Arora, its president and COO - and presumed successor to CEO Masayoshi Son - who has been accused of conflict of interest and poor investment performance.
Korea's VIG Partners buys parking management business
VIG Partners – formerly known as Vogo Investment – has agreed to buy an 83% stake in Korea-based parking management business HiParking for KRW27 billion ($23 million).
Japan's Gree raises $12m fund for VR start-ups
Japan's Gree has launched a $12 million fund to support virtual reality (VR) start-ups focusing on both gaming and non-gaming software and content.