North Asia
Japan's Ride On Express raises $23m in Tokyo IPO
Ride On Express, a Japanese food delivery franchise operator backed by Jafco Ventures, saw its stock open at JPY3105 per share - a 55% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading. The company earlier raised JPY2.3 billion ($22 million)...
Asia Awards: PE Professional of the Year - Michael Kim
MBK Partners closed its North Asia-focused fund in September and also completed four of Asia’s largest buyouts of 2013. Michael B. Kim, the firm’s founding partner, looks back on a busy 12 months
Asia Awards: Firm of the Year - KKR
KKR closed its second pan-Asia fund at $6 billion and announced investments of $1.8 billion and distributions of $1.2 billion for the year to September. Capstone, the firm’s operating unit, was a factor in each area
MBK consortium bids for Woori NPL unit - report
MBK Partners is said to have teamed up with BS Financial Group to place a final bid for Woori Finance Holdings’ non-performing loans business. This is the second part of a three-phase auction intended to finally dispose of the Korean government’s interest...
Advantage to exit Japan's Nissen for $22.8 million
Advantage Partners, the Japanese mid-market buyout firm, is to exit its stake in catalogue and web-based retailer Nissen Holdings to Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese parent of 7-Eleven and the Ito Yakado supermarket chain, for JPY2.36 billion ($22.8 million)....
Itochu, Mizuho back Japan restaurant finder app
Itochu Ventures and Mizuho Capital have led a JPY330 million ($3.2 million) Series B round of funding for Retty, the Japanese start-up behind the restaurant app of the same name.
MBK Partners sells Japan-based Invoice to Lone Star
MBK Partners has fully exited Invoice, Japan’s largest telecom bill aggregation service provider, to Lone Star Funds. The sale price was not disclosed but sources close to the deal said the North Asia-focused private equity firm had generated a 2.5x money...
INCJ commits $100m to Global Brain Fund V
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will commit up to JPY10 billion ($98.7 million) to Global Brain No.5 Investment Limited Partnership, the latest vehicle launched by IT-focused VC Global Brain Corporation (GBC).
JAFCO-backed ZIGExN raises $58m in Tokyo IPO
ZIGExN, a JAFCO portfolio company that runs network of search engine websites, saw its stock more than double to JPY1750 on its first day of trading following a JPY5.8 billion ($58 million) Tokyo IPO.
Japanese government launches 'Cool Japan Fund'
The Japanese government has launched a "Cool Japan Fund" which will invest up to JPY90 billion ($884 million) in cultural exports such as fashion, food and media.
Nissay, Globis, SMBC invest $3m in Japan's Itandi
Japanese VC investors Nissay Capital, Globis Capital and SMBC Ventures have committed JPY300 million ($2.9 million) to Itandi, an IT solutions provider to the real estate industry.
ICG, Nomura set up Japan mezzanine fund
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), a global mezzanine specialist, and Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings have together launched a joint venture to manage a Japan-focused mezzanine fund. Each will the contribute JPY10 billion ($98 million).
Risa Partners exits drug store to Tsuruha Holdings for $99m
Risa Partners, a unit of NEC Capital, has exited its 56% stake in Japanese drug store operator Hearty Wants to strategic investor Tsuruha Holdings for JPY10.1 billion ($99 million).
Japanese pension funds must diversify - panel
Japan's public pension funds - which collectively manage more than JPY200 trillion ($2 trillion) in assets - should diversify into alternative assets, including private equity, and have greater independence to do so, according to an expert panel.
Gaw Capital acquires London property for Korean investors
Gaw Capital Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity real estate firm, has acquired Waterside House - an office building in London - on behalf of a pool of South Korean institutional investors.
SMBC Venture, Adways invest in Japan e-commerce site
SMBC Venture Capital and strategic investor Adways have together backed Flask Park, a Japanese gift e-commerce company. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Korea, Russia sovereign funds launch investment platform
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has agreed to form an investment platform with fellow sovereign wealth fund the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Each side will contribute an initial $250 million and it is hoped the fund will reach $1 billion...
PAG real estate arm raises $1.5b Asia fund
Secured Capital, the Japan-based real estate investment arm of PAG, has reached a $1.5 billion final close on its fifth fund - Secured Capital Real Estate Partners V - exceeding its $1 billion target.
Riverside acquires Japan bicycle retailer
The Riverside Company has acquired Y. International, a Japanese bicycle retail chain. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Lone Star approved to buy Osaka train, warehouse operator - report
US-based distress-focused GP Lone Star has reportedly won the rights to acquire Japan train operator Osaka Prefectural Urban Development (OPUD) for JPY78 billion ($783 million)
North Asia GPs cautiously optimistic on economic reforms – AVCJ Forum
Government-driven reforms in Japan and South Korea have the potential to deliver more buyout opportunities, although industry participants told the AVCJ Forum in Hong Kong that their optimism is cautious rather than wholehearted.
Carlyle set for another partial exit from Japan's Chimney
The Carlyle Group is set to reap up to JPY14.3 billion ($145 million) through another partial exit from Japanese casual restaurant chain Chimney Corp, after agreeing to subscribe to a tender offer by liquor retailer Yamaya Corp. to acquire a 48.66% stake....
Blackpeak adds to Japan team
Blackpeak Group, an Asia-focused strategic advisor to corporate and investment clients, has appointed Kohtaro Miyagi as a senior consultant, based in Tokyo.
H&Q invests $90m Monster-owned JobKorea
H&Q Korea has agreed to buy a 49.9% interest in JobKorea, the South Korean operation of Monster Worldwide, for an aggregate purchase price of $90 million. Monster will retain management control of the business, with H&Q supporting regional expansion efforts....