New York-based hedge fund Laurus-Valens has launched a yen-denominated investment vehicle, Valens Yen Fund, to provide Japanese investors with access to U.S.-based investments.

“Our investment strategy has been very well received amongst investors in Japan," said Dennis Pollack, partner and senior managing director. “Our yen-denominated fund provides our Japanese investors with access to investments in U.S. micro-cap and late-stage private companies and makes their investments more stable for them, as they won't be susceptible to the value of the dollar sinking or spiking at any time.”

Laurus-Valens combine debt and equity to make investments in collateralized securities and other securities issued by a diverse base of companies. An equity feature attached to each investment gives the investment potential for upside if a company's stock price rises. Otherwise, the funds receive a cash coupon on debt and are generally repaid within 12 to 36 months. 
 
Laurus-Valens currently manages a variety of onshore an offshore funds and is the investment manager for PSource Structured Debt, a closed-end fund that trades on the London Stock Exchange. All told, the firm has approximately $1.6 billion in assets under management.