North Asia
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.
Fund focus: Globis gets traction with pension LPs
Japanese pension funds show stronger interest in latest fund from Tokyo's Globis
Deal focus: VCs back Kyulux to be leading light
VCs and strategic investors demonstrate confidence in Kyulux to produce energy-efficient digital displays with higher quality at a lower price
Deal focus: Ticket Monster targets seamless service
Korea's NHN Entertainment seeks payment synergies with PE-backed e-commerce marketplace Ticket Monster
IMM PE, Mirae agree to sell stake in Korea defense business
IMM Private Equity and Mirae Asset Private Equity are set to exit South Korea-based Doosan Defense Systems & Technology (DST) after Hanwha Techwin agreed to buy the business for KRW695 billion ($607 million).
KKR, Anchor-backed Ticket Monster gets NHN investment
Ticket Monster, a South Korea-based e-commerce marketplace controlled by KKR and Anchor Equity Partners, has received a KRW47.5 billion ($40 million) investment from online gaming provider NHN Entertainment (NHNE) in what is expected to be the first tranche...
Samsung leads $13.5m round for Japan's Kyulux
Samsung Venture Investment has led a $13.5 million Series A round for Kyulux, a developer of advanced lighting technology used in digital screens.
Warburg Pincus exits Premier Foods to Japan's Nissin
Japanese noodle maker Nissin Foods has agreed to buy a 17.3% stake in diversified UK grocer Premier Foods from Warburg Pincus for GBP90 million ($129.3 million).
VCs commit $33m to Japan's Bizreach
Japanese online talent search platform Bizreach has raised a JPY3.7 billion ($33 million) Series A round led by YJ Capital, the investment arm of Yahoo Japan.
J-Star completes buyout of Japan's Aisei Pharmacy
J-Star has completed its takeover of Japanese drugstore chain Aisei Pharmacy in a deal valued at JPY11.4 billion ($101 million).
Japan's Colopl VR Fund leads $11m round for VR specialist
Colopl VR Fund has led a $11 million Series A round of funding for Fove, a virtual reality (VR) technology company founded in Japan and headquartered in the US.
Japan's GPIF appoints new president
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has appointed Norihiro Takahashi, a long-standing executive at Norinchukin Bank, as its president.
Portfolio: Unison Capital and Gong Cha
Bubble tea chain Gong Cha’s Korean franchise started out with an entrepreneurial approach that suited its needs. Now Unison Capital is transforming management style and building a regional lifestyle brand