MBK Partners (MBKP) is a private equity firm focused on North Asia.[2] According to Forbes, MBK Partners is one of the largest private equity firms in Asia.[3]
In 2023, Private Equity International, ranked MBK Partners as the eighth largest private equity firm in Asia based on total fundraising over the most recent five-year period.[4]
MBK Partners was founded in 2005 by Michael ByungJu Kim and several other senior Asian executives from the Carlyle Group.[2][5][6][7][8]
In January 2022, a 13% stake of the firm was sold to Dyal Capital Partners.[8]
MBK Partners' investment focus is in North Asian regions, namely China, Japan and South Korea.[2][3]
MBK Partners has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.[9]
| Fund[10] | Vintage Year | Committed Capital ($m) |
|---|---|---|
| MBK Partners I | 2005 | USD 1,560 |
| MBK Partners II | 2009 | USD 1,500 |
| MBK Partners III | 2013 | USD 2,700 |
| MBK Partners IV | 2016 | USD 4,100 |
| Special Situations I | 2018 | USD 850[11] |
| MBK Partners V | 2020 | USD 6,500 |
| Special Situations II | 2020 | USD 1,800[8] |
| MBK Partners VI | 2023 | USD 7,000[12] |
In May 2009, MBKP and Goldman Sachs acquired a 98.3% stake in Universal Studios Japan for US$1.4 billion.[13]
In August 2013, MBKP acquired ING's South Korean insurance unit for total cash proceeds of 1.84 trillion won ($1.65 billion).[14]
In November 2014, MBKP sold accounting software maker, Yayoi Co to Japanese financial services provider, Orix Corp for 80 billion yen ($691 million).
In September 2015, Tesco sold its South Korean business, Homeplus, to MBKP, CPPIB and Temasek Holdings for £4 billion.[15]
In October 2016, MBKP and TPG Capital acquired Wharf T&T from The Wharf (Holdings) for HK$9.5 billion ($1.2 billion).[16] In August 2018, Wharf T&T was sold to Hong Kong's telecom operator HKBN for HK$10.5 billion ($1.34 billion).[17]
In February 2019, MBKP acquired Godiva Chocolatier's Asian-Pacific operations for $1.5 billion.[18]
In February 2025, MBKP acquired a controlling stake in FICT, a Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturer.[19]
MBK is one of Asia's largest private equity businesses with $25 billion of assets under management.
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