North Asia
Japan's KSP reaches $11m first close on fourth venture fund
Japanese incubator KSP has reached a JPY1.2 billion ($11.7 million) first close on its fourth venture investment fund.
Orix to acquire Next Capital stake in Japan's Ashikaga
Japanese financial group Orix will become the second-largest stakeholder in Ashikaga Holdings, the parent of Ashikaga Bank, providing an exit for Next Capital Partners.
Japan's Meiji acquires India drug maker, Temasek exits
Japanese conglomerate Meiji Holdings has acquired Medreich, an Indian pharmaceutical company backed by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, for $290 million via its subsidiary Meiji Seika Pharma.
Hamilton Lane boosts Asia presence
Global fund-of-funds and separate accounts manager Hamilton Lane has bolstered its presence in Asia with a series of hires and promotions.
Cyberagent leads Series A for 3D printing start-up
Cyberagent Venture, the corporate VC arm of internet firm Cyberagent, has led a $2 million Series A round of investment in Japanese 3D printing service Kabuku.
KDDI invests $1m in Japan handiwork marketplace
KDDI Open Innovation Fund, the early-stage investment vehicle backed by Japanese telecoms giant KDDI, has invested JPY100 million ($1 million) in Creema, an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) market for handmade items.
Former Mitsui VCs launch $150m biopharma fund
Two former venture investors from Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co are looking to raise $150 million for a new fund focusing on the biopharmaceutical sector.
KKR buys Korean commercial property
KKR has teamed up with Hong Kong-based hedge fund LIM Advisors to acquire a commercial property in Seoul’s central business district. It is the private equity firm’s first real estate deal in South Korea.
India VC Reservoir reaches first close on maiden fund
India early stage investor Reservoir Investment Managers has reached a first close on its maiden fund, Exfinity Technology Fund - Series I (ETF-I).
INCJ to invest $8m in Japan's Microwave Chemical
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will invest JPY800 million ($7.8 million) in Microwave Chemical (MWC), a Osaka University start-up seeking to commercialize innovative chemical processes using microwaves.
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei joins Fenox
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei has joined Silicon Valley-based VC firm Fenox Venture Capital as a board advisor.
Carlyle acquires Japanese noodle snack maker
The Carlyle Group has acquired a controlling stake in Oyatsu Company, the Japanese manufacturer of Baby-Star ramen snacks.
Sequoia leads $100m round for Korean e-commerce platform
South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang has raised a $100 million round of funding led by Sequoia Capital that is said to value the company at more than $1 billion.
AIP Japan to launch $300m healthcare focused fund
Asia Investment Partners (AIP) Japan is launching its sixth healthcare-focused fund, which will specifically target the elderly care home segment.
Japan Industrial Solutions invests $98m in Unitika
Turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) has agreed to acquire a stake in listed textiles manufacturer Unitika for JPY10 billion ($98 million).
Accelerator fundraising: Backing the batch
The start-up accelerator can offer attractive opportunities for early-stage investors but the business model is still in its infancy and educating potential backers can still be challenge
Japan's INCJ joins $8.2m deal for TB vaccine developer
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan has made a joint investment with Osaka-based Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma and Japan BCG Laboratory in Create Vaccine Company, which is developing a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine.
IFC commits $147m to India's Jubilant Pharma
International Finance Corporation (IFC) has completed one of its largest investments in India’s healthcare sector, committing $147.5 million to Jubilant Pharma.
VCs invest $1.3m in Japan mobile rewards platform
Gree Ventures, CyberAgent Ventures and Incubate Fund have together invested $1.3 million in Yoyo, the start-up behind mobile rewards platform Candy.
Globis leads $14m round for Japan app developer
Globis Capital Partners has led a JPY1.4 billion ($13.7 million) round of investment for Japanese mobile app developer Akatsuki.
Early stage Japan: Accelerating Tokyo
The numbers suggest that early-stage investing is in the midst of a renaissance in Japan. While the emergence of incubators and angels is encouraging, the start-up community still lacks depth
India to see rise in restructuring opportunities - PE survey
India will see a sharp increase of corporate restructurings over the next 12 months, driven by corporate debt and liquidity issues, according to a PE industry survey by global business advisory firm AlixPartbers.
PE-backed Tongyang Life remains in hunt for Korea's LIG Insurance
Tongyang Life Insurance, a South Korean insurer majority-owned by Vogo Investment, has submitted a binding bid for a controlling stake in LIG Insurance.
Japan's Next Capital exits massage chair maker to Asahi
Next Capital has agreed to exit its stake in Fuji Medical Instruments (Fujiiryoki), a Japanese manufacturer of massage chairs and other health-related products, to Asahi Holdings for JPY7.8 billion ($76.7 million).