概要
Under the leadership of Richard Folsom and his co-founder and representative partner, Taisuke Sasanuma, Advantage Partners has grown to become a leading private markets investment platform focused on Japan and Asia. The firm provides investment services across strategies, including Japan Buyout, Asia Buyout, Private Solutions (private structured investments in listed companies), Renewable Energy & Sustainability, and Real Estate. With offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Shanghai, the AP Group pursues attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors through hands-on support to portfolio companies. After graduating from university, Richard spent eight years performing management consulting work for Bain and Company Japan prior to founding Advantage Partners in 1992, where he has since served as a Representative Partner. After founding Advantage Partners, he started and managed two new businesses; Meridian VAT Reclaim Japan, a Value-Added Tax (VAT) reclaim service for corporations, and Advantage Risk Management (TSE: 8769) an insurance brokerage and risk management business. In 1997, Advantage Partners launched its private equity funds business by establishing the first buyout fund in Japan, and Richard has since devoted his time to the development of this private equity investment practice. Richard was the inaugural vice chairman of Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization Japan during its founding in 1995 and subsequently served as a board member. He has over 30 years’ experience living in Asia. Richard received his undergraduate degree in Japanese and Economics from Brigham Young University and received an MBA degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.