The VCs helping to fuel Japan’s startup ecosystem

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Hello readers,

Back in the “Before Times,” when the term “coronavirus” was known only to scientists and doctors, I had plans to go to Japan for my first, truly solo, holiday. I’d shortlisted a whole bunch of places to visit and was in the midst of crowdsourcing for “challenges” from friends to undertake – one of them was to make friends with locals in the relatively relaxed atmosphere of an izakaya. For an introvert like myself, that would’ve been extremely daunting, but the sense of achievement if I’d succeeded would’ve also been through the roof.

That level of euphoria is probably similar to how a startup feels upon securing funding (how’s that for a totally seamless segue?). In Japan, investors have been cashing in. For inspiration on this front, founders of Japanese startups might like to refer to our curated list of the most active investors in the land of the rising sun.

Mitsubishi UFJ Capital comes in at third, with 44 deals over the past 24 months – find out who the top two are.

Today, we look at:

• The top 100 most active investors in Japan’s startups
• A new mobile game studio is taking aim at the Indian market
• Other newsy highlights such as SpaceX sending four astronauts to the International Space Station and investors’ voracious appetite for the Chinese market despite Ant Group’s IPO woes

PREMIUM SUMMARY

Big (and busy) in Japan

2020 was supposed to be a banner year for Japan, with the pomp and circumstance of the Olympics coming to town. Covid-19 scuppered those plans, and the country continues to battle the effects of the pandemic. But it seems nothing will stop investors’ interest in Japan’s startups, as deals continue to be closed – especially by those on our list of investors making the most moves in the market.

• Self-improvement: Eight of the top 10 on the list are Japan-headquartered. After that, you’d have to go all the way to the 27th spot to find another foreign company.
• Traditional money: While venture capital firms are present throughout the rankings, the top two spots are occupied by organizations directly tied to banks: SMBC Venture Capital and Mizuho Capital.

Read more: These are the most active investors in Japan’s startups

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