North Asia
Sprinklr raises Series A round to launch Japan unit
US-based social media management software developer Sprinklr has raised JPY1 billion ($8.4 million) in a Series A round to support its Japan branch, with participation by Recruit Holdings and Suneight.
Japan's Dentsu launches $42m corporate venture fund
Japanese advertising agency Dentsu has established a new corporate venture capital arm, Dentsu Ventures, and launched a new fund with a corpus of JPY5 billion ($42 million).
Accel, Recruit Holdings back Australia's 99designs
Australia-founded online design marketplace 99designs has raised $10 million in a Series B round led by Recruit Strategic Partners, with existing investor Accel Partners also participating.
PE consortium closes in on Korea's Ticket Monster - report
A group of private equity investors including KKR is set to buy Korean e-commerce mobile app Ticket Monster from US-based Groupon in a deal that could value the company as highly as $800 million.
Asia Alternatives raises $1.8b for funds, separate accounts
Asia Alternatives Management has closed $1.8 billion in new commitments from LPs, comprising $1 billion for co-mingled fund-of-funds and $800 million in separately managed accounts.
SoftBank joins $13.3m Series B for Japan e-commerce app
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group, credit card firm Credit Saison, and Makoto Takaono - editor-in-chief of Forbes Japan - have invested JPY 1.6 billion ($13.3 million) in Origami, a Tokyo-based mobile commerce platform.
Japanese biotech firm targets $42m venture fund
An investment unit of Japanese biotech company Euglena is looking to raise JPY5 billion ($41.5 million) for a VC vehicle it has launched alongside SMBC Nikko - which is controlled by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group - and science start-up incubator Leave...
Japan news app raises another $10m from VCs
SmartNews, the Tokyo-based start-up behind the news curation app of the same name, has raised $10 million in another round of funding led by Japanese internet gaming firm Gree.
Japan's Beenos leads $2.5m Series A for flea market app
Japanese e-commerce incubator Beenos has led a $2.5 million Series A round of funding for Southeast Asian flea market app Duriana. Existing investors also took part in the round.
Japan's Zozotown acquires VC-backed Aratana
Start Today - the Japanese start-up behind fashion site Zozotown - has acquired VC-backed e-commerce solution provider Aratana.
Japan's Livesense buys VC-backed e-commerce start-up
Livesense - a Japanese internet company known for its flagship career search site Jobsense - has acquired a 71.7% stake in VC-backed e-commerce start-up Waja for JPY400 million ($3.3 million).
VC-backed Gunosy files for Tokyo IPO
Gunosy - a Japanese news app developer backed by the venture capital firm Jafco, telecoms company KDDI Corp. and B Dash Ventures - has filed for a Tokyo IPO.
INCJ consortium invests $21m in Japan stem cell start-up
Megakaryon, a Japan-based stem cell technology developer, has raised JPY2.54 billion ($21.2 million) from a consortium of investors including existing backers Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, SMBC Venture Capital...
Bain to acquire Japan Wind Development for $80 million
Bain Capital Partners is set to acquire Japan Wind Development (JWD) - a leading Japanese wind farm developer - in a JPY9.7 billion ($80 million) take-private transaction.
Japan's Rakuten to acquire VC-backed US eBook firm
Japan's Rakuten will pay $410 million to acquire US-based digital book marketplace OverDrive from Insight Venture Partners, a US private equity and venture capital firm.
INCJ invests in Japan laser manufacturer Spectronix
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has agreed to invest up to JPY500 million ($4.2 million) in laser manufacturer Spectronix.
Hahn & Co-backed Cowell e Holdings targets $153m offering
South Korea-focused GP Hahn & Co. is set to make a partial exit from electronics manufacturer Cowell e Holdings as the company seeks to raise up to HK$1.19 billion ($153 million) through its Hong Kong IPO.
Japanese ticketing platform gets $5m Series B round
Japanese online ticketing platform Peatix has raised $5 million in a Series B round of funding led by DG Incubation, with strategic investment from SPH Media Fund and Japanese media company Sunny Side Up.
Mizuho Capital raises $170m for third mezzanine fund
Mizuho Capital Partners has launched its third fund focused on small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with initial commitments of JPY20.6 billion ($170 million).
Lotte outbids PE, strategics for KT Rental with $908m deal
Lotte Group has agreed to buy South Korean car rental firm KT Rental from KT Corp. and other investors for KRW1.02 trillion ($908 million), beating out several other private equity and strategic players.
Japan's Rakuten leads $530m Series E round for Lyft
Japanese e-commerce player Rakuten has led a $530 million Series E round of funding for US ride sharing app Lyft - valuing the business at $2.5 billion. Fortress Investment Group also participated.
South Korea's Memebox raises $17.5m from VCs
Beauty-focused e-commerce start-up Memebox has raised a $17.5 million Series B round of funding from a consortium of VC backers.
Hahn & Co-owned Cowell e Holdings files for Hong Kong IPO
Cowell e Holdings, a portfolio company of South Korea-based Hahn & Co. portfolio and a major supplier of camera modules used in Apple devices, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Korea's SMBA, IDG form $91m VC fund
IDG Capital Partners and South Korea's Small and Medium Business Administration have agreed to form a KRW100 billion ($91 million) VC fund that will help Korean businesses enter the China market.