Japan
Deal focus: SBI helps Japan AI player smarten up the road
SBI Investments backs a Japanese start-up focused on improving decision-making technology in self-driving cars
Hitachi backs Japan-US cross-border GP
Hitachi has agreed to invest an undisclosed sum in a Japan-US cross-border venture capital fund managed by Geodesic Capital that will focus on social problem solving through technology.
SBI backs Japan autonomous driving start-up Ascent
SBI Investment has made the first investment from its artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology fund, leading a JPY1.1 billion ($10.3 million) round for Japan’s Ascent Robotics.
Asia GPs must spend more time, effort extracting value - survey
Asian PE investors must accustom themselves to longer holding periods and more aggressive value creation initiatives if they are to achieve their target returns in a pricey market, according to Bain & Company.
CLSA buys Japanese online appliance business
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Moa Group, a Japanese online retailer primarily focused on household appliances.
Deal focus: Longreach finds its magic beans
Having acquired Japanese coffee shop chain Kohikan, The Longreach Group now hopes to build the family-owned business into a player capable of rivaling the national leaders
VCs invest $27m in Asian expansion for US-based Yogome
US-based Exceed Capital Partners has led a group of international VCs in a $26.9 million investment aimed at supporting an Asian expansion by domestic educational technology company Yogome.
Longreach to buy Japanese coffee shop business
The Longreach Group has finalized the first investment from its third fund with an agreement to buy Japanese coffee shop chain Kohikan Corporation.
Fenox joins Japan's Aisin for $50m automotive fund
US-based VC firm Fenox Venture Capital has partnered with Japan-based automotive parts and systems maker Aisin Group to launch a $50 million investment vehicle aimed at automotive-related technology start-ups.
Toyota launches $2.8b car technology investment program
Toyota Group has confirmed it will establish a Tokyo-based investment program that will commit more than JPY300 billion ($2.8 billion) to autonomous driving development.
CLSA buys Japanese beauty salon chain
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to invest at least JPY10 billion ($94.3 million) to take a majority stake in Japanese beauty salon operator Agu Group. It is the firm’s second acquisition in the country this week.
Japan's GPIF awards another infrastructure mandate
Pantheon Group has won an infrastructure mandate from Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the second made by the pension fund to a global fund-of-funds.
Corporate VC funds foreshadow auto sector M&A wave
A raft of specialist fundraising activity by technology and automotive corporates suggests start-ups in nascent areas of the mobility industry could benefit from a near-term uptick in M&A activity.
Auto technology: Investment vehicles
New and old players are vying for market share as the global automotive industry experiences a multifaceted reboot. Investment inroads abound, but there is much uncertainty in the evolution
Japan mid-market: Realignment issues
Competition is intensifying in certain segments of Japan’s middle market, driving up valuations. Private equity firms must consider how they position themselves to maximize deal flow
Tokio Marine exits Japanese machinery parts maker
Tokio Marine Capital has agreed to sell its entire stake in Tonichi Kosan, a Japanese manufacturer of parts used in construction and agricultural machinery, to machinery wholesaler Wakita & Co.
Taiwan's KKday secures $10.5m Series B
KKday, a Taiwan-based start-up that helps tourists find local activities, has secured $10.5 million Series B round of funding led by Japanese travel agent HIS, with participation from existing backer MindWorks Ventures.
Japan's Ezaki Glico buys chocolate company from US GP
Ezaki Glico, a Japanese food company that markets a number of branded snack products, has acquired a majority stake in chocolate maker TCHO from US growth and venture capital firm Emil Capital Partners.
Former Bain executives target $500m Japan fund
Two former principals with Bain Capital Private Equity in Japan have established their own country-focused firm – Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) – and are seeking to raise a $500 million fund.
Ardian opens Japan office to capture local LP interest in alternatives
Ardian has opened an office in Tokyo - its third in Asia - with a view to capitalizing on growing demand for exposure to alternatives, including private equity, from Japanese institutional investors.
CVC's Japan president to join Toshiba
Nobuaki Kurumatani, who has been president of CVC Capital Partners’ Japan operation for less than a year, is departing to become chairman and CEO of Toshiba Corporation.
Deal focus: CLSA likes the fit of Marubeni subsidiary
CLSA Capital Partners agrees to carve-out Marubeni's uniform business with a view to driving consolidation in an industry where Japanese corporate customers are already gravitating from ownership to rental
Monument hires ex-Bain IR executive in Japan
Placement agent Monument Group has appointed Kay Sano (pictured) as a representative director in its Tokyo office. She was previously a Japan-based vice president with Bain Capital Private Equity.
Japan Post: Stamp of approval
A newly launched private equity vehicle under the Japan Post brand is being hailed as a validation of the asset class domestically. It could be a critical juncture for the development of local technology markets