North Asia
South Korea looks to ease M&A rules for PE
South Korea is planning to relax restrictions concerning M&A transactions in a bid to encourage investment by private equity and strategic investors.
SoftBank Venture backs Thai video game firm Ini3 Digital
SoftBank Ventures Korea (SBVK), the corporate investment arm of the Japanese telecoms giant, has taken a 23% stake in Thai online video game operator Ini3 Digital. The financial terms were not dislosed.
Carlyle to buy Tyco's Korea unit for $1.93b
The Carlyle Group has agreed to buy fire safety and security systems provider Tyco International’s South Korean business for $1.93 billion. According to AVCJ Research, it is the largest-ever buyout in Korea by a global private equity firm.
Oak Capital invests another $4.9m in Japan's Softfront
Oak Capital has invested JPY500 million ($4.9 million) in JASDAQ-listed IT services firm Softfront, increasing its stake in the company to 20.8%.
GPIF joins DBJ, OMERS to invest up to $2.7b in infrastructure
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), has formed a partnership with Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) to jointly invest in infrastructure assets.
Nissay Capital invests $1.9m in Japan home renovation site
Nissay Capital has invested JPY200 million ($1.9 million) in Sekaie, the Japanese e-commerce start-up behind home renovation services website Rinoko.
INCJ invests $4.7m in Trigence Semiconductor
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested $4.7 million in Trigence Semiconductor, a developer of digital audio technology.
Carlyle nears deal to buy Korea's Tyco unit - report
The Carlyle Group has been selected as preferred bidder for Tyco International's South Korean security systems unit - ADT Caps
VC-backed robot suit maker files for Tokyo IPO
Cyberdyne, a Japanese robotics company that counts Jafco Ventures, Nissay Capital and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) among its investors - has received approval for its Tokyo IPO.
INCJ invests $9 million in animation tool developer New
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY900 million ($8.7 million) in New, a start-up that develops tools for creating motion comics.
Japan's education app Smart Education raises $5.4m
CyberAgent Ventures and Infinity Venture Partners have invested JPY550 million ($5.4 million) in Smart Education, a Tokyo-based developer of educational mobile apps for kids.
JAIC, Nippon Venture lead Series D for Regimmune
Japan Asian Investment Corporation (JAIC) and Nippon Venture Capital have together led a $9.2 million Series D round of investment in Tokyo-based biotech firm Regimmune Corporation.
Japan's Digital Garage leads $10m round for Betaworks
Japanese incubator Digital Garage (DG) has invested $10 million in Betaworks, a New York-based early-stage tech investor. DG contributed $7.5 million to the round with the balance coming from a group of angel investors.
IMM set to buy Hyundai Merchant Marine's LNG business
IMM Private Equity has been selected as the preferred bidder for Hyundai Merchant Marine’s (HMM) liquefied natural gas (LNG) business in a deal worth KRW1.1 trillion ($1 billion). The announcement comes a few weeks after fellow South Korean GP Hahn &...
Japanese corporates, VCs back Indonesian e-commerce site
500 Startups and existing investors Gree Ventures have together invested in Bukalapak, an Indonesian e-commerce marketplace, alongside two Japanese strategic investors: price comparison site Aucfan.com and digital marketing firm IREP.
INCJ picks up stake in robotic hand maker
State-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has acquired a 20% stake in Squse - a Kyoto-based company that makes robotic hands - for JPY500 million ($4.9 million). INCJ joins existing investors Amazon and Google.
Jafco-backed Eleven Bio raises $50m in NASDAQ IPO
Eleven Biotherapeutics, a US biopharma company firm backed by Japan’s Jafco Ventures, has raised $50 million through its NASDAQ IPO – short of the $69 million initially sought.
Portfolio: STIC Investments and Access Bio
STIC Investments backed Access Bio when the Korean-led malaria testing technology player wanted to buy key components and expand output. Now KOSDAQ-listed, the company has its eye on specialty diagnostics
Execution issues
Another week, another divestment by a Japanese conglomerate. This time it was Sony, which agreed to sell its personal computer business to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) in a deal thought to be worth JPY40-50 billion ($394-493 million).
Japan's Mitsui, RDIF invest in Russia-based Cotton Way
Japan's Mitsui & Co has teamed up with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to invest in Cotton Way, a commercial laundry and textile management company based in Moscow. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Japan photo sharing app developer raises $1.5m
CyberAgent Ventures, TBS Innovation Partners, Incubate Fund, and Golden Gate Ventures have together invested JPY150 million ($1.47 million) in Cinnamon, the start-up behind the photo sharing app Seconds.
Cerberus completes Kokusai Kogyo exit - report
Cerberus Capital Management has reportedly completed the sale of its stake in Japanese property operator Kokusai Kogyo for about JPY140 million ($1.37 billion).
Sony agrees to sell Vaio PC unit to JIP
Sony has confirmed that it plans to sell its loss-making Vaio PC division to Tokyo-based mid-market buyout shop Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). Financial details have not been disclosed but previous estimates valued the deal at around JPY40-50 billion...
VCs commit $14.3m to Japan online printing start-up
A consortium of Japanese venture capital investors including Global Brain, World Innovation Lab (WiL), Itochu Technology Ventures and GMO Ventures have invested JPY1.45 billion ($14.3 million) in Raksul, a Tokyo-based start-up providing online printing...