North Asia
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.
Japanese consortium buys US PE-backed juice maker
A consortium of Japanese investors has acquired Country Pure Foods, a US-based food service juice manufacturer, from US private equity firm Mistral Equity Partners.
Biopharma venture raises $7.3m from Korean investors
Korean healthcare-focused VC firm InterVest and tech-focused E&Investment have together invested $7.28 million in G-treeBNT, a Seoul-based diversified bio pharmaceutical business.
Kumho Asiana to buy back Korea bus unit from IBK, Kstone
IBK Capital and Kstone Partners are set to exit South Korea-based Kumho Buslines after domestic conglomerate Kumho Asiana Group said it would buy back its former subsidiary.
Korean education social network raises $3.2m
Classting, a South Korean social networking site for students and teachers, has raised a KRW3.5 billion ($3.17 million) Series B round of funding led by Partner Investment, a tech-focused PE firm based in Seoul.
Cool Japan invests $37m in TV channel Wakuwaku
The government-backed Cool Japan Fund will contribute JPY4.4 billion ($37 million) to a JPY 11 billion investment in entertainment channel Wakuwaku Japan alongside SKY Perfect JSAT Corp (SJC).
Japan's Recruit buys VC-backed restaurant booking site
Japanese employment and internet services company Recruit Holdings has acquired German VC-backed restaurant booking site Quandoo for EUR198.6 million (about $219 million).
KIC, Kingdom Holdings to partner on PE investments
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), an investment company controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, have agreed to collaborate on private equity investment opportunities.
IMJ's Koichi Saito launches new VC fund
Koichi Saito, a former partner at Japanese venture capital firm IMJ Investment Partners, has launched his own VC outfit - KK Fund.
Bain soaks in hot spring opportunity
Along with conveyer belt sushi and lively karaoke nights, the hot spring visit is a uniquely Japanese pastime popular with both locals and, increasingly, those who visit the country.
Fenox invests $2m in Japan solar energy marketplace
Fenox Venture Capital has invested $2 million in I AND C-Cruise (IACC), the Japanese start-up behind solar power web portal Green-EnergyNavi.com.
Japan's INCJ joins acquisition of US biopharma firm
The government-backed Innovation Network corporation of Japan (INCJ), life sciences company JSR Corporation, and pharmaceutical research firm CMIC Holdings have together purchased US-based KBI BioPharma for an undisclosed sum.
US-based 500 Startups unveils $15m South Korea fund
US-based accelerator 500 Startups has launched another $15 million Asian satellite fund in Korea - called 500 Kimchi - a little over a week after it announced a similar vehicle in Thailand.