JAFCO
Japan's Cyberdyne raises $89 million in Tokyo IPO
Cyberdyne, a VC-backed Japanese robotics company that makes exoskeleton suits, more than doubled on its Tokyo trading debut following a JPY7.8 billion ($76 million) IPO on the MOTHERS (market of the high-growth and emerging stocks) section of the Tokyo...
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.
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)...
PE-backed Chinese education provider aims for $100m US IPO
Tarena International, a Chinese IT training services provider that counts Goldman Sachs, IDG Capital Partners and Jafco among its investors, is seeking to raise up to $100 million through a NASDAQ IPO.
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.
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.
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?
Japan’s VC-backed Oncolys Pharma raises $64m in Tokyo IPO
Oncolys Pharma, a VC-backed developer of drugs targeting cancer and serious infectious diseases, saw its stock open at JPY3,500 per share - a 34.6% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading in Tokyo. This followed a JPY6.6 billion ($64.4...
Jafco Asia leads Series B round for US games developer
Japanese venture capital investor Jafco Asia has led a Series B round of funding for US games developer Playnery. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
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)...
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.
Sungy Mobile stock closes up 19% after $78.5m US IPO
Sungy Mobile, a Chinese app developer backed by IDG Capital Partners, JAFCO, WI Harper and China Broadband Capital (CBC), saw its stock jump 19% on its first day of trading on NASDAQ to close at $13.35.
China’s Sungy Mobile targets $80m US IPO
Sungy Mobile, a Chinese app developer backed by IDG Capital Partners, JAFCO, WI Harper and China Broadband Capital (CBC), is targeting a $80 million IPO and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The company, which focuses on apps, widgets and functions...
Global Brain invests $3.3m in Japan group buying site Luxa
Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain has invested JPY330 million ($3.3 million) in luxury group buying site Luxa through its KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
NTT Docomo Ventures, Livesense lead $5.5m investment in Japan's Aratana
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the Japanese mobile giant, and internet media firm Livesense have together led a JPY550 million ($5.5 million) investment round for Aratana, a social e-commerce platform developer. Existing VC backers JAFCO,...
JAFCO invests $3m in Japan online laundry service
JAFCO Ventures has invested JPY300 million ($3 million) in White Plus, the Japanese start-up behind Lenet, an online laundry delivery service.
JAFCO invests $5.3m in group buying site Luxa
JAFCO has invested JPY500 million ($5.3 million) in Luxa, a Japanese group buying site, as part of a Series B round.
JAFCO invests $5 million in HiringBoss
Japanese venture capital firm JAFCO has put $5 million into HR software provider HiringBoss in a Series A round of funding.
ClearVue leads $20m round for Chinese beauty brand
Lumi, a leading nutritional beauty products firm in China, has raised RMB120 million ($20 million) of Series B funding led by ClearVue Partners. Fidelity, JAFCO and Capvent also participated in the round, along with existing shareholder, DCM.
JAFCO backs US-based pharma company in Series A funding
JAFCO has invested $10 million in the Series A financing of Eleven Biotherapeutics, a US-based biopharmaceutical company designing and engineering novel and differentiated protein-based biotherapeutics.
VC-backed video sites Youku, Tudou announce merger
Youku and Tudou, China’s leading online video companies - both of which are US-listed - will merge in a 100% stock-to-stock to transaction worth over $1 billion. The combined entity will be the country's biggest video platform with a more than 35% market...
Tudou raises $174m in NASDAQ IPO
Venture capital-backed Chinese video site Tudou has raised $174 million through its NASDAQ IPO, surpassing the $100-150 million target it set earlier this year.
Highland Capital’s China team plans for spin out
Highland Capital Partners’ Shanghai-based investment team is reportedly set to raise a fund independently, though it will retain ties to the US-based venture capital investor.
VC-backed gaming developers merge
Chinese gaming developer UltiZen Games - which has received funding from Jafco Asia, Hotung Investment Holdings Ltd. and Tokio Marine Investment Services – has acquired Japanese developer Red Entertainment for an undisclosed price.