Creww
Tokyo, JP Β· Founded 2012 Β· 33 employees on LinkedIn Β· 1 known investors
Creww operates a startup ecosystem and open innovation platform that connects startups with large enterprises through web-based programs and events. Founded in 2012 and based in Tokyo, it also runs a coalition of accelerators and VCs across Asia to identify regional startups.
Also known as Creww Group Β· Creww Inc.
Investors Β· 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Creww Inc. is a Tokyo-based operator of an open innovation platform and startup community. Founded in 2012 with the stated aim of being Japan's first entity dedicated to building a startup ecosystem, the company matches startups with large enterprises, local governments and regional banks through accelerator-style programs, initially delivered as in-person regional events and later through an internally developed web-based platform. Its core services include Creww Growth, a platform on which companies run their own open innovation programs, and Creww.me, a registration platform for startups, VCs, incubators and other professionals, alongside an Innovation Community for members from varied backgrounds.
Beyond program operation, Creww runs business lines aimed at cross-border activity: Japan Launchpad supports foreign startups entering the Japanese market with business development, PR and fund formation support; A Tech positions Creww as an Asian startup community builder linking fast-growing Asian startups with global corporations and VCs; and the 47Crewws Project addresses regional social and community issues in Japan through digital transformation and new business creation led by local governments and regional banks. Program examples include the Japan Open Innovation Program 2025 connecting Korean startups with Japanese enterprises (seven Korean startups selected in the prior edition) and the Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia, run with Real Madrid Next.
In November 2024 the company established Creww Capital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary in Shibuya, Tokyo, focused on CVC consulting and joint GP arrangements, cross-border collaboration support via Creww's decacorn and VC networks, and formation and management of accelerator funds tied to overseas corporate programs. Creww Capital is led by co-CEOs Sorato Ijichi (founder and CEO of Creww Inc.) and Naoto Matsumoto (CEO of ABAKAM Inc.).
Founding story
The company states it was started to change a domestic environment seen as lagging in willingness to take on challenges, citing Japan's declining population, technological change and one of the lowest rates of entrepreneurship among developed economies as motivations for building an ecosystem for entrepreneurs.
Business model
Creww operates platforms and programs that connect startups with corporations, local governments and regional financial institutions, running open innovation and accelerator programs on behalf of corporate and public-sector clients, and providing market-entry support services for startups targeting Japan. Through Creww Capital it also offers CVC consulting, joint general partner roles and accelerator fund formation and management.
Traction
Reported figures include more than 450 open innovation programs run since 2012 between companies, local governments and startups, approximately 1,350 collaborations, and over 8,000 startups registered on the platform. Program activity includes multiple editions of the Japan Open Innovation Program with Korean startups and two batches of the Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia.
Latest developments
Announcements include the establishment of Creww Thailand (August 2025), a partnership with PT Ruang Kreasi Berdaya (KUMPUL) (August 2025), selection of six startups for Batch 2 of the Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia (October 2025), a recap of the 2025 Creww Asia Pavilion (January 2026), appointment as ambassador for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 (January 2026), the 2026 Creww Asia Pavilion at Startup JAPAN EXPO at Makuhari Messe (announced February 2026), and Creww Korea hosting the DIPS Global Meetup in Seoul on 9 September 2026.
βΈFull profile β market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Creww describes itself as a pioneer of open innovation in Japan operating the country's largest open innovation platform and startup ecosystem community, with programs among the largest in Japan.
Technology
Programs are delivered through an internally developed web-based platform, comprising Creww Growth for corporate-run open innovation programs and Creww.me for startup, VC and professional registration and collaboration.
Go-to-market
Creww reaches corporations, local governments and regional banks by operating branded open innovation and accelerator programs for them, and reaches startups through free platform registration (Creww.me), community activities, pavilions and pitch stages at conferences such as Startup JAPAN EXPO and SusHi Tech Tokyo, and partnerships with accelerators, VCs and institutions in other Asian markets.
Large enterprises and mid-sized regional companies seeking collaboration with startups, local governments and regional banks pursuing regional revitalization and digital transformation, startups and entrepreneurs (including non-Japanese startups entering Japan), and investors such as VCs, incubators and corporate venture capital units.
Geography
Headquartered in Tokyo (Shibuya-ku), with activity across Asia including a Korean unit (Creww Korea), a Thailand office established in August 2025, a partnership with an Indonesian organization, and programs involving Korean and Taiwanese startup ecosystems. It has also acted as a venture program partner for the Saudi-based FII Institute conference.
History
Creww was founded in 2012 in Japan. Its programs began as regional in-person events and later moved onto an internally developed web-based platform. In November 2024 it established the subsidiary Creww Capital Inc. In 2025 it launched Batch 2 of the Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia (April 2025, with six startups selected in October 2025), established a Thailand office (August 2025) and announced a partnership with Indonesian entity PT Ruang Kreasi Berdaya (KUMPUL) in August 2025. In 2026 it was appointed ambassador for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 and announced the 2026 Creww Asia Pavilion at Startup JAPAN EXPO, with Creww Korea hosting a DIPS Global Meetup in Seoul in September 2026.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources β announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Timeline Β· 9
launches, deals, and filingsCreww Inc. established Creww Capital Inc. in Shibuya, Tokyo, to provide CVC support and fund management, including joint GP roles and accelerator funds linked to overseas corporate programs. Directors: Sorato Ijichi (CEO) and Naoto Matsumoto (CEO).
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- Crewwcreww.in Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Creww do?
- Creww runs a Japan-based open innovation platform pairing startups with corporations, local governments and investors across Asia.
- Who are Creww's investors?
- Creww's investors include NOW Japan.
- Where is Creww headquartered?
- Creww is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.