Simpson Thacher represented Japan Innovation Investment Company (“J-INC”) in connection with the formation of Avant Fund Cayman, LP (the “Fund”), which successfully held its final closing at its hard cap on December 8, 2025, with capital commitments exceeding JPY 61 billion. The Fund, which was oversubscribed, is J-INC’s inaugural fund and underscores its strategic commitment to advancing innovation and growth through private equity in the Japanese market. J-INC’s founders were formerly with Nippon Investment Company and Bain Capital.
The Simpson Thacher team included Dave Azcue, Adam Furber, Michael Ceulen, Xue Zhang, Tony Liu, Jean-Baptiste Rioual, Siqi Zhao and Angela Deng (Asia – Private Funds); Rony Rothken, Amanda McGovern and William Lebas (New York – Private Funds); Owen Lysak, Jack Harrison, Seji Choi and Ruben Tjon-A-Meeuw (London – Private Funds); Spencer Sloan and James Fine (Financial Institutions); Nancy Mehlman, Adam Hersch and Elizabeth Trask (Tax); Makiko Harunari, Anuj Shah, Atsushi Usui and Vasudev Mittal (Credit); Jeanne Annarumma and Alexander Kharash (ERISA); Lauren Gluzman and Carina Mitchell (ESG).