North Asia
Korea's NPS appoints new CIO
The National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) has named Myun-Wook Kang, formerly CEO of Meritz Asset Management, as its new chief investment officer.
KKR to support European solar player's Japan expansion plans
KKR has acquired a majority stake in Gestamp Solar, a Spain-based developer and operator of solar plants that is looking to expand its business in Japan. The deal values the business at approximately $1 billion.
Alibaba acquires 4% stake in Korea's SM Entertainment
Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group has acquired a 4% stake in S.M. Entertainment, a South Korean music agency, for KRW35.5 billion ($29.8 million).
IMJ targets $53m for Japan venture fund
Singapore-based IMJ Investment Partners has raised JPY2 billion ($17.7 million) for a venture capital fund that will back start-ups in Japan. The full target is JPY6 billion.
J-Star targets buyout of JASDAQ-listed drugstore chain
J-Star has launched a tender offer for drugstore chain Aisei Pharmacy that values the JASDAQ-listed company at approximately JPY12.7 billion ($112.5 million). This is the private equity firm’s first-ever tender offer.
Japan's SBI to lead Series B for US bitcoin exchange Kraken
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan's SBI Holdings, has agreed to lead a Series B round for US-based bitcoin exchange Kraken.
Japan Post Bank prepares for PE investment
Japan Post Bank plans to start making commitments to private equity funds in the first half of this year, according to Katsunori Sago, the bank’s vice president in charge of asset management.
Q&A: KKR's David Liu and Ming Lu
David Liu and Ming Lu, who head up KKR’s private equity operations in Asia, discuss dislocation in China and its neighboring markets, engineering cross-border deal flow, and how GPs can differentiate themselves
MBK named preferred bidder for Doosan Infracore unit
MBK Partners has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the machine tools division of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Infracore, replacing Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE).
Corstone closes $124m Korea fund
US-based private equity firm Corstone Capital has closed a South Korea-focused fund at KRW150 billion ($124 million).
Rakuten launches $84m Japan venture fund
Rakuten Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched a JPY10 billion ($84 million) fund targeting start-ups in Japan.
Nissay commits $1.7m to Japan's Oneteam
Nissay Capital has invested $1.7 million in Series A funding in Japanese workplace chat app Oneteam.
JC Flowers to buy Chi-X's Asia trading platforms
J.C. Flowers has agreed to buy the Australia and Japan businesses of Chi-X Global Holdings, an alternative equity trading platform that competes with primary exchanges, as well as the company’s Hong Kong-based technology services unit.
PE-backed e-Shang boosts Asia footprint through merger
China-based warehousing operator e-Shang, which was founded by two local entrepreneurs in conjunction with Warburg Pincus, has agreed to merge with Asian counterpart Redwood Group as it builds scale towards a public market listing.
New business needs drive VC funding demands
The venture capital market in Asia is set for growth as new market segments - notably technology-enabled business services - emerge with unmet needs.
Japan's ChatWork raises $12.5 Series B round
Japan-based business chat platform ChatWork has raised $12.5 million in Series B funding from Jafco, SMBC Venture Capital and GMO Venture Partners.
Korea's KIC appoints new CEO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has appointed Sung-Soo Eun, most recently an executive director at the World Bank, as its CEO. He will also serve as chairman of the sovereign wealth fund’s board.
Japan's J-Star buys nursing care business
J-Star has made another investment intended to leverage Japan’s aging population with the acquisition of Platia, a nursing services business that specializes in caring for people with dementia.
DBJ, Japan Wind Development to form $423m fund
The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Japan Wind Development (JWD) – a local developer acquired last year by Bain Capital – have agreed to launch a JPY50 billion ($424 million) wind power fund.
Japan CRM start-up raises $16.9m Series C
Japanese customer relationship management (CRM) software developer Sansan has raised a S$24.2 million ($16.9 million) Series C round led by DCM.
Affinity set for over 6x return on Korea's Loen Entertainment - Update
Affinity Equity Partners is set for a more than 6x return on its investment in Loen Entertainment, the Korean equivalent of iTunes, following Kakao Corporation's agreement to buy a majority stake in the business.
Deal focus: IMM initiates unlikely media merger
Korean VC player IMM Investment convinces magazine publisher Design House and e-commerce business Oheim that together they can be stronger
Taiwan ITRI, Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ launch VC fund
Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group have jointly set up a second venture capital fund with a target of NT$2.5 billion ($75 million).
Japan's Skyland raises $10m VC fund
Tokyo-based early-stage investor Skyland Ventures has raised JYP1.2 billion ($10 million) for its second VC fund.