North Asia
Crowdfunding: Herd dynamics
More start-ups are tapping crowdfunding platforms for capital. How well prepared are Asian markets to accommodate the phenomenon and what does its emergence mean for venture capital investors?
KKR to buy majority stake in Japanese DJ equipment business
KKR has agreed to buy Japanese electronics manufacturer Pioneer Corporation’s DJ equipment division for around JPY59 billion ($551 million). Pioneer will retain a minority interest in the business.
Baring Asia drops out of Japan electronics deal
Baring Private Equity Asia has abandoned plans to acquire the audio-video operations of Japanese car electronics maker Pioneer Corp - alongside the company's rival Onkyo Corp - three months after reaching a basic agreement.
SCPE, Tiger Group invest $95m in chemical tanking venture
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) and specialist maritime investor Tiger Group Investments have agreed to commit $95 million to Greathorse Chemical, which owns and operates a fleet of chemical tanker vessels.
NPS, Macquarie-backed Megabox goes on sale
Megabox, the South Korean movie theatre chain 50% owned by a consortium including the Korean National Pension Service (NPS) and Macquarie Group, is being sold at auction.
Permira-owned Arysta LifeScience files for US IPO
Arysta LifeScience, the Permira-owned Japanese agricultural chemical maker, has filed for its US IPO with a view to raising as much as $500 million.
Japan's Relux raises $3.1m from Recruit Holdings, others
Japanese luxury hotel booking site Relux has raised JPY330 million ($3.1 million) from Recruit Holdings and other undisclosed investors.
Unison holds $428m first close on Fund IV, eyes $714m
Unison Capital has reached a first close on its latest Japan buyout vehicle - Unison Capital Partners IV(F) - of JPY45 billion ($428 million), with the fund expecting a final close of JPY75 billion.
UOB, Orix launch $200m SE Asia-focused mezz fund
Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and Japan's ORIX Corp. (ORIX) have launched a mezzanine fund providing expansion capital to mid-sized companies in Southeast Asia.
VCs take part in $2.1m round for Japan's Innova
Nippon Venture Capital, Draper Nexus and strategic investor Salesforce.com have together invested JPY220 million ($2.1 million) on Tokyo-based search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing agency Innova.
Tencent invests $20m in Korea's PATI Games
China’s Tencent Holdings has invested KRW20 billion ($20 million) in Korean mobile game developer PATI Games.
Japanese mobility firm Whill closes $11m Series A round
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led an $11 million Series A round for Whill, a Japanese startup which has designed a type of electronic mobility chair.
Q&A: Morgan Stanley PE Asia's Michael Chung
Michael Chung, Seoul-based managing director with Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), discusses the intricacies of buying businesses from local conglomerates – and the prospects for exits via trade sales and IPOs.
Korean outbound M&A: Satisfied partners?
Korea’s National Pension Service wants private equity to help local corporates expand overseas. Three years after its inception, the Corporate Partnership Fund has yet to prove it is the answer
Polaris pays $86m for Japanese all-you-can-eat chain
Japanese mid-market buyout firm Polaris Capital has bought a 100% stake in all-you-can-eat restaurant chain Edoichi.
Stonebridge leads $3.5m round for Korean wearables maker
Stonebridge Capital has led a $3.5 million Series A round for Ybrain, a Korean start-up that makes wearables for Alzheimer's patients.
Bain-backed Skylark to raise $1.1b in Tokyo IPO
Skylark, the Japanese restaurant chain backed by Bain Capital, could raise as much $1.1 billion as it re-lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSX).
Softbank, Pantera lead $3m Series A for Korean bitcoin exchange
SoftBank Ventures Korea and Pantera Capital have led a $3 million Series A round of funding for Korean bitcoin exchange, wallet and merchant processor, Korbit.
Jafco invests $2m in Japan surgical robot maker
Jafco Ventures has invested JPY200 million ($2 million) in Riverfield, a Japanese start-up that develops robotic technology for use in the healthcare sector.
Japan mystery shopper company raises $2.2m
Mizuho Capital, Jafco Ventures and DBJ Capital have invested JPY220 million ($2.1 million) in Research and Innovation, a Tokyo-based internet market research company.
L Capital Asia to invest in Korean talent manager
L Capital Asia, a private equity firm sponsored by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, will invest KRW61 billion ($60 million) in YG Entertainment, the Korean record label and talent manager responsible for acts including “Gangnam Style” rapper Psy....
Advantage acquires Japan kitchenware provider
Japanese mid-market GP Advantage Partners has acquired FMI Corp, an Osaka-based provider of kitchenware products and services.
Samsung Electronics to acquire VC-backed SmartThings
Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics has agreed to buy US-based SmartThings, a VC-backed platform that connects everyday items to the internet.
MBK agrees $243m sale of Korea's Techpack Solutions
MBK Partners has agreed to sell bottle manufacturer Techpack Solutions to Dongwon Systems Corp, the industrial materials division of domestic conglomerate Dongwon Group, for KRW250 billion ($245 million).