North Asia
JAIC spin out WM Partners reaches first close on maiden secondaries fund
WM Partners, a venture capital secondaries fund launched last year by former JAIC CEO Moriyoshi Matsumoto, has reached a first close on its JPY5.25 billion ($50.1 million) first fund.
Japan IPOs: Rising sun
On the back of a cautious economic recovery Japan witnessed a boom in IPOs in 2013 as a host of venture capital-backed companies went public. How long will the good times last?
Longreach agrees Christmas carve-out
Christmas was delayed at the Longreach Group as the North Asia-focused private equity firm finalized an agreement to buy Japanese molded plastics manufacturer Sol-Plus Group on December 25, bringing to an end several weeks of negotiations.
Hahn & Co agrees $380m Hanjin deal
Of the four leading Korean dry bulk carriers, Hanjin Shipping and Hyundai Merchant Marine are raising capital through asset sales and restructurings, while STX Pan Ocean and Korea Line have already filed for bankruptcy.
IVFA to exit UEM India as Toshiba buys 26% stake - report
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba Corp. is looking acquire a 26% stake in Indian water treatment specialist UEM Group from existing shareholders, including private equity investor India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA).
IMM PE invests $190m in Korean cable TV operator T-Broad
IMM Private Equity has acquired an approximately 21% stake in T-Broad Holdings, South Korea’s second-largest cable operator by subscriber numbers, for KRW200 billion ($190 million).
South Korea orders KT Corp to buy back satellite from Permira-owned ABS
The South Korean government has ordered telecom operator KT Corp. to buy back a satellite it sold to Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS), a Hong Kong-based company owned by Permira.
INCJ joins Japanese companies to form $300m start-up fund
The Innovation Corporation Network of Japan (INCJ) has joined a consortium of 10 Japanese companies to set up a $300 million start-up fund to be managed by Silicon Valley-based venture firm WiL.
Nissay, SMBC, Incubate invest $1m Japan budget app
Nissay Capital, SMBC Venture Capital and Incubate Fund have together invested JPY100 million ($955,000) in BearTail, the Japanese start-up behind the cloud-based household accounting app Dr. Wallet.
Dream Incubator leads $2m round for Japan mobile video network
Dream Incubator has led a $2 million round of investment for Breaker, a Japanese start-up that distributes mobile video content. Seimer Ventures also took part in the round alongside an number of undisclosed investors.
Fortress to raise $1.9b for Japan's first infra fund - report
Fortress Investment Group is said to be targeting JPY200 billion ($1.9 billion) for a new Japan-focused infrastructure fund.
Hahn & Co to buy Hanjin's bulk carrier business
Hahn & Co. will pay KRW400 billion ($380 million) for a 76% stake in Hanjin Shipping’s bulk carrier business. This is the South Korean private equity firm’s second foray into the shipping sector following an aborted attempt earlier this year to buy a...
Longreach agrees Japan manufacturing carve-out
The Longreach Group has agreed to buy Sol-Plus Group, a Japanese plastics manufacturer with production facilities in Thailand, for an undisclosed sum.
VIDEO: Steve Koltes of CVC Capital Partners
CVC Capital Partners has completed two control deals in China in 2013 and Steve Koltes, the firm's co-founder and co-chairman, expects more to follow. This evolution of opportunities in existing markets - plus the opening up of new markets - will see...
Sprott, Woori win Korean mandate for $750m global resources fund
South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS) will lead a consortium of institutional investors in putting up half the capital for a $750 million private equity fund to be managed by Canadian asset manager Sprott and Woori Asset Management. The 10-year...
Japan's Sompo agrees purchase of Bregal-owned insurer Canopius
Sompo Japan Insurance has agreed to acquire Canopius Group, a UK insurer which is 84%-owned by London-headquartered private equity firm Bregal Capital.
Hahn & Co invests $190m in South Korea's Woongjin Foods
Hahn & Co has paid $190 million for a 57% stake in Woongjin Foods, Korea's third largest non-alcoholic beverage company and subsidiary of ailing conglomerate Woongjin Group.
Darby exits South Korea's Leadcorp
Darby Private Equity, a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton Investments, has exited its stake in South Korean consumer finance company Leadcorp through sales on the Kosdaq Market of Korean Exchange. The financial details were not disclosed.
Osaka prefecture blocks Lone Star bid for Japan rail asset
US private equity firm Lone Star has seen its winning bid for Japan rail operator Osaka Prefectural Urban Development (OPUD) blocked by the Osaka prefectural government.
Japan's Sompo mulls $1b purchase of Bregal-owned insurer Canopius
Sompo Japan Insurance is looking to acquire Canopius Group, a UK insurer which is 84%-owned by London-headquartered private equity firm Bregal Capital.
Japan's GPIF to make infra investments with OMERS, DBJ - report
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) will join Canada's Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan to invest in infrastructure projects abroad.
SMBC to buy US rail lessor from Perella Weinberg
Perella Weinberg Partners will exit Chicago-based Flagship Rail Services to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in a transaction valued at $1.1 billion.
PAG invests $250m in Universal Studios Japan
PAG has invested $250m in theme park operator Universal Studios Japan (USJ). The firm will be joining Goldman Sachs, MBK Partners and Owl Creek as shareholders of the Company.
Bain to acquire Japan's Macromill for $501m
Bain Capital is set to acquire Tokyo-listed Macromill, a Japanese online market research firm, after offering to buy all shares in the company for JPY51.4 billion ($501 million).