TLDR:
– Vertex Ventures Japan has launched its inaugural $64.24 million fund, focusing on investing in leading Japanese startups with high growth potential.
– The fund will leverage Vertex’s global network of venture capital funds and collaborate with the University of Tokyo and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Vertex Ventures Japan, a venture capital firm, has announced the launch of its JPY 10 billion ($64.24 million) inaugural fund, Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I (VVJFI), anchored by Vertex Holdings. The fund will focus on investing in leading Japanese startups with high growth potential that have resilient underlying growth drivers and talented management teams. VVJ will leverage Vertex’s global network of venture capital funds to support the development of Japan’s innovation ecosystem.
Vertex Ventures Japan was established to tap into early-stage investment opportunities in Japan, following the success of its sister funds in key innovation hubs around the world. The fund will collaborate with partners across the Vertex global network, including the University of Tokyo and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to drive innovation partnerships between Japan and Singapore.
The fund will be led by Managing Partner Takashi Tomita and General Partner Tomohiro Miyasaka, who will be responsible for sourcing new investment opportunities and directing growth efforts. With Japan being the third largest technology country in the world for international patent applications, VVJ aims to support Japanese startups in becoming global champions by leveraging the strengths of Japanese companies and the global network of investor-operator experiences provided by Vertex.
Overall, Vertex Ventures Japan’s inaugural fund aims to set itself apart in Japan by combining market depth and global scale to attract and support Japanese entrepreneurs in their overseas funding and growth ambitions. The fund aspires to be an innovation platform for cross-border collaborations between industry, government, and academia players, facilitating collaborations to accelerate the growth of startups and create industry champions for the future.
