North Asia
Shares in INCJ's Japan Display fall two days straight
Japan Display - the world's biggest maker of screens for tablets and smart phones and a portfolio company of Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) - saw its stocks fall for two days in a row this week after following its JPY318.5 billion ($3.1...
Jafco-backed Fixsters, Shirohato file for Tokyo IPOs
Japanese venture capital investor Jafco will see two portfolio companies - software firm Fixstars and online lingerie retailer Shirohato - launch their Tokyo IPOs on the same day next month.
Japan's J-Star appoints new operating principal
Japanese mid-market buyout firm J-Star has appointed former biotech professional Yuki Kashiyama as its operating principal.
Cerberus-backed Seibu eyes April Tokyo listing
Japanese railway and hotel operator Seibu Holdings is targeting a JPY186 billion ($1.8 billion) IPO in Tokyo next month, potentially ending a three-year battle between the management and shareholder Cerberus Capital Management.
Korea M&A: Regulatory relief
The Korean government’s recently announced M&A stimulation package includes a relaxation of restrictions on domestic private equity firms. But how much change are these reforms likely to bring?
Placement agent Monument Group opens in Hong Kong
Monument Group, a Boston-headquartered placement agent with a presence in the US and UK, has expanded into Asia, with a Hong Kong office now in operation. A Tokyo base will follow later this year.
Unison Capital targets $581m for Japan fund
Japanese mid-market buyout firm Unison Capital is targeting JPY60 billion ($581 million) for its fourth Japan fund. The fund - which launched in early February - is scheduled for a first close by the summer.
Jafco-backed EnBio raises $7.2m in Toyko IPO
EnBio, a Japanese soil decontamination business backed by Jafco, saw its stock open at JPY1311 - a 126% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading. The company, which listed the Mothers (market of the high-growth and emerging stocks)...
CyberAgent leads $12m round for Korean food delivery app
Japan's CyberAgent Ventures has been joined by previous investors Altos Ventures, IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital for a $12 million investment in Woowa Bros, the start-up behind Korean food delivery app Baedalui Minjok.
INCJ-backed Japan Display IPO prices at bottom of range
Japan Display, the world's biggest maker of screens for tablets and smart phones, has priced its IPO at the bottom of indicative range following a lukewarm response from overseas investors.
Korean sovereign fund KIC appoints new CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has appointed Heung-Sik Choo, formerly director general at Bank of Korea’s reserve management group, as its new CIO. He replaces Dong-Ik Lee, who resigned in January.
INCJ invests $6m in copper paste business
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has invested JPY600 million ($6 million) in Material Concept, a manufacturer of copper paste for use in electrical components and solar panels. Daiwa Corporate also invested an undisclosed amount in the...
Japan's Globis re-ups in UK educational app developer
Globis Capital Partners, the Japanese venture capital firm, has returned to lead a GBP3.4 million ($5.8 mllion) Series B round for Quipper, a UK company that develops educational mobile applications.
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.