North Asia
YJ Capital, East Ventures back Japan big data start-up
YJ Capital - the corporate venture capital arm of Yahoo Japan - and East Ventures have invested JPY260 million ($2 million) in Use Local, a Japanese big data start-up.
Energy: A world beyond funds
A small but growing band of GPs are modifying the conventional PE fund model in favor of solutions that better meet their needs. For those with long-hold, asset-heavy strategies, the future may lie in platforms
Deal focus: CLSA tools up with Astro Products deal
Two years ago CLSA Capital Partners made its maiden investment from Sunrise Capital II, a $210 million Japan-focused fund that launched 16 months earlier. The company was BCN, a used car auction site operator based in Saitama prefecture, which CLSA acquired...
Marunouchi Capital exits Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy
Marunouchi Capital has sold the last of its stake in Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy via an open market sale.
Lixil unit files for insolvency less than 18 months after PE exit
Japanese bathroom fitting company Lixil is set to lose at least JPY41 billion ($337 million) after its German-listed Chinese subsidiary, Joyou AG, filed for bankruptcy. Lixil acquired the business after it bought German faucet maker Grohe from TPG Capital...
Bain set for another partial exit from Japan's Skylark
Bain Capital is set to make another partial exit from Japanese casual dining chain Skylark, reducing its stake from 66% to under 50%.
CLSA invests in Japanese automotive tools retailer
CLSA Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Japanese automotive tools retailer Worldtool in a deal that values the business at around JPY10 billion ($82.8 million).
IBM, Samurai to launch second Tokyo start-up program
IBM BlueHub - IBM's Japan incubation program - has started taking applications for its second start-up accelerator in partnership with Tokyo-based early-stage investor Samurai Incubate.
Mizuho, China Merchants launch $250m growth fund
Japan's Mizuho Securities and China Merchants Group (CMG) have launched China-focused growth equity fund, which is looking to raise a total $200-250 million. Mizuho has contributed $20 million to the vehicle.
Japan Industrial Solutions backs beleaguered Sharp
Turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) has invested JPY25 billion ($208 million) in ailing electronics group Sharp as part of JPY225 billion bailout.
Japanese e-payment service Paidy expands Series A to $8.3m
Arbor Ventures has led an additional $5 million round of funding for Exchange Corporation (ExCo), the Japanese start-up behind e-commerce payment and instant credit service Paidy.
CLSA backs Japanese food and beverage maker
CLSA Capital Partners have invested an undisclosed sum in Asamiya, a Japanese low-cost food and beverage (F&B) manufacturer.
PAG targets $3b for second Asia fund
PAG Asia Capital has launched its second pan-regional fund and is looking to raise $3 billion. The GP, which is led by Weijian Shan, formerly of TPG Capital, closed its maiden fund at $2.5 billion in 2012.
ICG invests in Korean tutoring business
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has invested an undisclosed sum in Time Education, a privately-owned education company in Korea that provides tutoring services from kindergarten through high school.
Q&A: Unison Capital's Tatsuo Kawasaki
Unison Capital is in the process of raising its fourth Japan-focused fund. Tatsuo Kawasaki, a partner at the firm, discusses how government policy and market dynamics might impact its deployment
Deal focus: CITIC tries Mark Styler on for size
China's appetite for fashion is massive and growing. A recent report by the Fung Business Intelligence Centre put the country’s apparel retail market at around RMB1.14 trillion ($187 billion) in 2013, up 11.6% from the previous year. China is expected...
SIMI's Arora appointed COO of SoftBank Group
SoftBank Corp. has named Nikesh Arora - CEO of SoftBank investment unit SoftBank Internet & Media Inc.(SIMI) - as the Japanese telecom and internet conglomerate's new president and COO.
Babson closes Asia mezzanine fund at $177m
Babson Capital Management has reached a final close of $177.2 million on its latest Asia-focused mezzanine fund.
PE to exit as Japan's Recruit buys Wahanda
Japan’s Recruit Holdings has acquired UK-based Hotspring Ventures, the company behind online hair and beauty marketplace Wahanda, for JPY4.5 billion ($37.6 million), providing an exit for the company’s VC backers.
Thailand payment services provider gets Series A round
Indonesian venture capital fund SMDV has a $2.6 million Series A round for Thailand-based payment solutions start-up Omise.
CITIC Capital buys Japan apparel brand
CITIC Capital has acquired Japanese women's apparel company Mark Styler for an undisclosed sum.
Fund focus: Unison hones in on South Korea
Comparisons can be drawn between Unison Capital’s debut Korea buyout fund and its first Japan vehicle raised more than 15 years ago. The targets are small- to mid-size companies that have growth potential but need help realizing it, particularly in terms...
Unison closes debut Korea fund at $280m - update
Japan-based private equity firm Unison Capital has closed its first-ever Korea-dedicated buyout fund at approximately KRW300 billion ($280 million).
CVC adds to Japan team
CVC Capital Partners has boosted its Japan team with two hires from domestic GP Advantage Partners. Atsushi Akaike and Yukinori Sugiyama have joined as partner and senior managing director, respectively.