North Asia
Japan's Genesis Healthcare raises $5.1m from Founders Fund, Mitsui
US early stage investor Founders Fund and Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co have together invested JPY620 million ($5.1 million) in Genesis Healthcare, a Tokyo-based start-up that develops genetic testing kits, in exchange for a 6% stake.
Deal focus: VCs dine on Korea's MangoPlate
Nothing illustrates South Korea's obsession with food better than a new foodie craze called Mukbang.
Former Cyberagent Ventures Beijing head forms $30m China fund
Joei Dai, the former general manager of CyberAgent Ventures China in Beijing, has formed a venture capital firm Gravity Venture Capital (GVC) and is looking to raise $30 million to back Chinese start-ups.
Japan's Recruit Holdings acquires UK edutech startup Quipper
Japan's Recruit Holdings has acquired VC-backed UK edutech start-up Quipper for $40 million.
Korea's KIC targets 50% alternatives allocation
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), which is expected to surpass $100 billion in assets this year, wants to increase its allocation to alternative assets to 50% from the current level of 8%.
Korean restaurant site MangoPlate raises $6.1m
South Korean restaurant discovery platform MangoPlate has raised $6.1 million from a group of corporate VC backers including Qualcomm Ventures, SoftBank Ventures Korea, and Yahoo Japan's YJ Capital.
Bespoke solutions offer path into Japan's local private debt space - AVCJ Forum
Low interest rates have restricted the scope for foreign private debt and mezzanine funds in Japan, though offering bespoke solutions to local businesses is an attractive opportunity, say industry participants.
Japan pension funds have out-dated view on PE risk - AVCJ Forum
Japan's pension fund industry needs to reevaluate its perception of private equity as a risky alternative asset, domestic LPs told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
MBO no longer a 'dirty word' in Japan - AVCJ Forum
The term management buyout (MBO) is no longer considered a "dirty word" among Japanese company founders, according to local GPs who are eyeing more succession deals.
India to create trading platform for technology start-ups
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has provided details on plans for a trading platform for technology start-ups as it seeks to make it easier for companies to go public domestically. The regulator has also decided on measures to streamline...
Portfolio: Advantage Partners and Riraku
By undercutting its competition, massage salon Riraku was able access a broader segment of the domestic market. But achieving growth on a national scale required support from Advantage Partners
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy UBS' alternative fund services unit
MUFG Investor Services, the asset servicing group of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, will buy UBS Global Asset Management's Alternative Fund Services (AFS) business.
Alibaba, Foxconn invest $236m in SoftBank robotics division
Alibaba Group and Foxconn Technology Group have agreed to invest JPY29 billion ($236 million) in SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp, which manages SoftBank's robotics business.
Japan to lead boom in Asia restructuring activity - survey
Corporate restructuring activity in Japan should lead to a broader rise in the number of distress opportunities in Asia, as a result of both regulatory change and added pressure from investors.
CLSA closes third Asia real estate fund at $1b
CLSA Capital Partners has closed its third Asian real estate fund - Fudo Capital III - at the hard cap of $1 billion, exceeding its initial target of $850 million.
Q&A: The Longreach Group's Masamichi Yoshizawa
The Longreach Group made a name for itself acquiring non-core assets from Japanese corporates. Masamichi Yoshizawa, a partner with the North Asia-focused firm, expects more of these deals
VC in Japan's universities: Getting schooled
For the past decade, Japan’s universities have been working with venture capital to commercialize their research. Recent developments in the public and private sectors suggest this relationship is evolving
Banks and deal-sourcing: Information arbitrage
Japan’s banks do not have the power that they once did to source deals, but they are far from irrelevant. GPs say these institutions still have a role to play, though their advice must be considered carefully
Corporate governance: Thin end of the wedge?
Japan’s corporate governance code will not trigger a torrent of non-core divestments, but it may encourage boards to think strategically about how – and with whom – they can improve performance
Japan consumer: Big spenders
Japan’s gradual economic recovery could deliver a wealth of new opportunities in the consumer space. But to realize true value, private equity firms must look deeper, or in certain cases, further
Japan buyouts: Large check limbo
It is not a phenomenon unique to Japan. Pick a major Asian market with public markets trading at or close to an all-time high and you find a cumulative private equity investment figure that is lagging the previous year’s pace.
Japan's Advantage to launch $400m Asia fund
Japanese mid-market GP Advantage Partners is looking to raise a $400 million fund targeting investments opportunities in Asia ex-Japan.
Polaris acquires Japan massage salon operator
Japan's Polaris Capital has acquired massage salon chain Factory Japan Group (FJG) for an undisclosed sum. The investment was made via Polaris Private Equity Fund III.
MC-Seamax closes maiden shipping fund at $300m
MC-Seamax Managagement, the US-based GP backed by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, has reached a $300 million close on its maiden fund intended to take advantage of depressed prices in the global shipping industry.