North Asia
Fuji Startup Ventures backs Japan's The Bridge
Fuji Startup Ventures (FSV), the VC arm of Japan's Fuji TV network, has committed an undisclosed amount of funding to Tokyo-based start-up news site The Bridge, alongside public relations company PR Times.
Fenox commits Series D to Japan's Geniee
Fenox Venture Capital has committed an undisclosed amount of Series D funding to Japan-based adtech start-up Geniee.
Bain agrees to sell stake in Japan's Jupiter Shop
Bain Capital has agreed to sell its entire 50% stake in Japan's Jupiter Shop Channel to Jupiter Communication (J:COM), a company part-owned by Sumitomo Corporation. Bain bought its interest from Sumitomo at a valuation of JPY100 billion (then $1.3 billion)...
VIG Partners buys Korean PVC window maker
VIG Partners – which recently changed its corporate name from Vogo Investment – has agreed to buy Winche, a South Korea-based manufacturer of PVC windows, for KRW135 billion ($114 million).
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2016
From Australia to China and buyouts to venture, industry participants give their perspectives on the year to come for fundraising, investments, and exits
SMFG agrees to buy GE's Japan leasing unit for $4.8b
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) has agreed to buy GE Capital’s Japan leasing business for JPY575 billion ($4.8 billion) as parent company General Electric continues to pare its assets.
Formation 8 leads round for Korea's Yello Mobile
Formation 8 has re-upped in South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, leading a $47.2 million financing round. The capital will be used to strengthen the company’s business domestically and across Asia.
AVCJ Awards 2015: Exit of the Year - Mid Cap: Bushu Pharmaceuticals
Tokio Marine aimed to awaken the ambition of Japan’s Bushu Pharmaceuticals and show how a good GP can turn companies around. A 6x return was its reward
AVCJ Awards 2015: Deal of the Year - Large Cap: Halla Visteon Climate Control
Hahn & Co spent three years talking to Visteon about its Korean subsidiary Halla Visteon Climate Control before sealing a proprietary deal supported by innovative funding
AVCJ Awards 2015: Deal of the Year - Mid Cap: SBI Life Living
Advantage Partners leveraged its expertise in corporate carve-outs to acquire SBI Life Living. It plans to split the business in two so that each half can achieve its full potential
AVCJ Awards 2015: Firm of the Year: Bain Capital
Bain Capital enjoyed its most active year in Asia as positive experiences from previous deals and proactive engagement with entrepreneurs helped deliver a string of new investments
Deal focus: J-Star sees low-voltage potential
Japan-based energy savings solutions provider ESCO is expected to benefit from increased consumer awareness of efficiency issues and a shake-up in the broader utilities space
Japan's J-Star buys energy savings business
Japanese GP J-Star has acquired ESCO, an energy savings solution provider that primarily works with condominium managers, for an undisclosed sum.
HarbourVest opens Korea office
HarbourVest Partners has opened an office in Seoul. It will be led by Minjun Chung, who is already responsible for investment opportunities and client relations in South Korea.
Korea's CJ withdraws from bidding for MBK-controlled Coway
South Korean conglomerate CJ Corporation decided against submitting a final bid for a controlling stake in Coway, a domestic water purifier manufacturer, controlled by MBK Partners.
J-Star owned medical insurer makes bolt-on acquisition
Nihon Hoken Service (NHS), a Tokyo-based insurance agency and insurance solicitation business bought by J-Star earlier this year, has completed the bolt-on acquisition of industry peer Sokisha Corporation.
Japan skills platform gets $4.4m in funding
Coconala, a Japanese skills marketplace formerly known as WelSelf, has raised JPY540 million ($4.4 million) in funding from Jafco, Nissay Capital, SMBC Venture Capital and Voyage Ventures.
Global Brain, Dentsu, Mitsui in $6.1m round for Japan's Kabuku
Japan-based Kabuku, manager of 3-D printing service Rinkak, has closed a JPY750 million ($6.1 million) Series A round with participation by Global Brain, Dentsu Digital Holdings and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital.
Japan Post Bank to launch private equity division
Japan Post Bank, a unit of the recently-privatized Japan Post Holdings, will create a division to explore private equity investment opportunities.
Bain makes part-exit as Japan's Bellsystem24 goes public
Bain Capital has made a partial exit from Bellsystem24 as the Japan-based call center business raised JPY48.1 billion ($391 million) through an IPO. The company plans to broaden its service offering and expand into Southeast Asia.
Hamilton Lane opens Korea office
Hamilton Lane has opened an office in Seoul, the firm's 12th globally. It will be headed by Sung-ji An, who is relocating from Hong Kong.
APG, CPPIB join e-Shang in $500m Korea logistics venture
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Dutch pension fund manager APG Asset Management will establish a logistics-focused joint venture in South Korea with e-Shang, a Chinese warehousing operator backed by Warburg Pincus.
Rakuten launches $100m fund for global fintech investments
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has launched a $100 million fund for investments in financial technology start-ups worldwide.
HarbourVest makes two promotions in Asia
HarbourVest Partners has promoted two Asia-based professionals – Minjun Chung and Kanji Takenaka, who focus on South Korea and Japan, respectively – to principal.