# GCA

> GCA was an independent global investment bank advising growth companies, established corporations and financial sponsors on M&A, capital markets and private funds. Founded in Japan in 2004, it expanded across the Americas, Europe and Asia before joining Houlihan Lokey in 2021; its US business was based in San Francisco.

- **Founded:** 2004
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States (US advisory business); Tokyo, Japan (founding corporate headquarters)
- **Founders:** Akihiro Watanabe (Co-founder and Representative Director), Nobuo Sayama (Co-founder)
- **Products:** M&A advisory, Capital markets advisory, Private funds advisory, Debt and restructuring advisory
- **Notable:** Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2006; moved to the First Section in 2012., Reported 165 completed transactions in 2019, with 45% cross-border., More than 500 people across 24 locations joined Houlihan Lokey in October 2021.

## Products & services

- **M&A advisory** — Buy-side and sell-side advice, including domestic and cross-border transactions.
- **Capital markets advisory** — Advice on public listings and raising private debt and equity capital.
- **Private funds advisory** — Capital raising services for fund managers.
- **Debt and restructuring advisory** — Advice on financing and financial restructuring.

## Achievements

- Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2006; moved to the First Section in 2012.
- Reported 165 completed transactions in 2019, with 45% cross-border.
- More than 500 people across 24 locations joined Houlihan Lokey in October 2021.
- GCA Altium was Team17’s nominated adviser; its Manchester team won Corporate Finance Team of the Year at the 2021 North West Rainmaker awards.

## Latest updates

- **2021-10** — Houlihan Lokey acquired approximately 90% of GCA through its tender offer, effective October 4.
- **2021-12** — Houlihan Lokey announced completed integration on December 6, following acquisition of outstanding shares in November.
- **2022-02** — Japan and Asia-Pacific operations adopted the Houlihan Lokey brand on February 22.
- **2024-11** — In a November 7 interview, Scott Adelson described integrating the former GCA through global sector teams and weekly meetings with Japanese management for the first two years.

## Links

- Website: https://www.gcaglobal.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gca
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/gca_global

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/gca
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25