YAFO Capital
YAFO Capital is a Shanghai-based boutique investment and advisory platform operating across China, the US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, providing cross-border transaction advisory, fund management, NewCo incubation, and the ACCESS ASIA partnering platform for global and Asian biopharma and medtech companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What YAFO Capital does
YAFO Capital is a Shanghai-headquartered boutique investment and advisory platform focused on cross-border transactions and global innovation partnerships in the life sciences sector. Founded in 2013, the firm operates a global team and partner network spanning China, the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, serving global and Asian biopharma and medtech companies, as well as investors and strategic partners seeking access to innovative life sciences assets.
The company's offering is structured around four integrated service lines: Transaction Advisory and Consulting (asset licensing, M&A, fundraising, buy-side research, commercial assessment, and pipeline strategy); the YAFO Fund (a dedicated investment vehicle for innovative life sciences companies and high-potential assets alongside strategic industry partners); NewCo Incubation and Innovation Collaboration (co-development, investment, and clinical execution support to accelerate clinical processes and maximize value through licensing, M&A, or capital partnerships); and the ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform (virtual roadshows, in-person forums, and global industry events connecting Asian and global biopharma, biotech, investors, and strategic partners).
Revenue is generated through professional service fees on advisory mandates, fund management and carried interest from YAFO Fund, capital appreciation and licensing/royalty economics from NewCo incubation, and affiliate/referral economics from the ACCESS ASIA platform. The firm is privately held and founder-led by Sean Jiang, CFA (Founder & CEO), with a senior bench that includes Managing Partners across Execution, China Division, and MedTech, plus a US-based Partner. Go-to-market is relationship-based enterprise advisory rather than volume distribution, with bespoke engagement structures and no publicly disclosed pricing.
YAFO Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- YAFO Capital
- Legal name
- Yafo Capital
- Website
- https://yafocapital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- YAFO Capital is a Shanghai-based boutique investment and advisory platform operating across China, the US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, providing cross-border transaction advisory, fund management, NewCo incubation, and the ACCESS ASIA partnering platform for global and Asian biopharma and medtech companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
YAFO Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Banking & Advisory (Life Sciences)
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital) (BPAHADAG)
Keywords
Where YAFO Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
YAFO Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Transaction Advisory and Consulting: Professional services in asset licensing, M&A, fundraising, buy-side research, commercial assessment, and pipeline strategy for global and Asian biopharma and medtech companies.
- Investment Fund Management: YAFO Fund invests in innovative life sciences companies and high-potential assets along with strategic industry partners.
- NewCo Incubation: Through co-development, investment, and clinical execution support, YAFO helps global innovative assets accelerate their clinical process and maximize value through licensing, M&A, or capital partnerships.
- ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform: Virtual roadshows, in-person forums, and global industry events connecting Asian and global pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, investors, and strategic partners to facilitate cross-border business development and transactions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
YAFO Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YAFO Capital is a boutique investment and advisory platform focused on cross-border transactions in the life sciences sector. It provides transaction advisory and consulting (asset licensing, M&A, fundraising, buy-side research, commercial assessment, pipeline strategy), runs the YAFO Fund for life sciences investments, offers NewCo incubation and co-development support, and operates the ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform to connect global and Asian biopharma, medtech, investors, and strategic partners.
Product overview
YAFO Capital operates as a unified boutique investment and advisory platform offering four integrated service lines: Transaction Advisory and Consulting (M&A, licensing, fundraising), YAFO Fund (investment fund management), NewCo Incubation and Innovation Collaboration (co-development and clinical execution support), and the ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform (cross-border business development and deal facilitation). These offerings work together to support clients throughout the full transaction lifecycle, from strategy development through closing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Transaction Advisory and Consulting: Transaction advisory and consulting services including asset licensing, M&A, fundraising, buy-side research, commercial assessment, and pipeline strategy for global and Asian biopharma and medtech companies.
- YAFO Fund
- NewCo Incubation and Innovation Collaboration
- ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform
Products and services
- Transaction Advisory and Consulting
- YAFO Fund
- NewCo Incubation and Innovation Collaboration
- ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform
Companies that use YAFO Capital
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
YAFO Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
YAFO Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BetterLife PharmacoreBetterLife Pharma engaged YAFO Capital to seek strategic partnerships for developing BETR-001 in Greater China. BETR-001 is a proprietary non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD aimed at treating neurological disorders. YAFO Capital will leverage its network to facilitate development and partnerships in Asia.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
YAFO Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Locust Walk: Boutique life sciences advisory firm specializing in cross-border transactions, strategic partnerships, and capital raising for biopharma. Comparable boutique model with similar transaction lifecycle services.
- China Renaissance Holdings: China-headquartered boutique and mid-market investment bank with cross-border M&A and capital markets advisory. Directly comparable to YAFO in China-anchored cross-border advisory, though broader in sector focus.
- Torreya Partners: Global boutique investment bank dedicated exclusively to life sciences M&A, licensing, and capital advisory. Closest functional peer to YAFO's life sciences transaction advisory practice.
Broad incumbents
- China International Capital Corporation (CICC): Large Chinese-headquartered investment bank with healthcare and cross-border M&A capabilities. Represents the scaled incumbent that YAFO competes against for China-anchored cross-border life sciences deals.
- Centerview Partners: Premier independent advisory firm with deep healthcare and life sciences practice. Competes for high-end cross-border healthcare M&A mandates that overlap with YAFO's transaction advisory work.
- Lazard: Global investment bank with a dedicated Healthcare and Life Sciences M&A advisory practice. Competes with YAFO on mid- and large-cap cross-border life sciences mandates at the upper end of the deal spectrum.
- Jefferies (Healthcare Group): Diversified global investment bank with a sizable Healthcare Group covering biopharma and medtech M&A, licensing, and equity capital markets. Comparable on healthcare-focused advisory services at greater scale.
Emerging players
- Alira Health: Global healthcare and life sciences advisory firm offering transaction advisory, asset screening, and strategic consulting. Comparable boutique-style life sciences advisory model with partial cross-border overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
YAFO Capital social profiles
Digital presenceYAFO Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YAFO Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
YAFO Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YAFO Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YAFO Capital
What does YAFO Capital do?
YAFO Capital is a boutique investment and advisory platform focused on cross-border transactions in the life sciences sector. It provides transaction advisory and consulting (asset licensing, M&A, fundraising, buy-side research, commercial assessment, pipeline strategy), runs the YAFO Fund for life sciences investments, offers NewCo incubation and co-development support, and operates the ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform to connect global and Asian biopharma, medtech, investors, and strategic partners.
Is YAFO Capital a public or private company?
YAFO Capital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was YAFO Capital founded?
YAFO Capital was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is YAFO Capital based?
YAFO Capital is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does YAFO Capital make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Transaction Advisory and Consulting is the primary driver. The others are investment Fund Management, newCo Incubation and ACCESS ASIA Partnering Platform.
Who are YAFO Capital's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Locust Walk, China Renaissance Holdings and Torreya Partners. Broad incumbents are China International Capital Corporation (CICC), Centerview Partners, Lazard and Jefferies (Healthcare Group). Alira Health is listed as an emerging player.
Does YAFO Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for YAFO Capital.
What industry is YAFO Capital in?
YAFO Capital's product category is Investment Banking & Advisory (Life Sciences). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAB, Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAHADAG, Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital). Its NAICS code is 52394 and its SIC code is 6282.