Firstcvc
Tokyo, JP · 1 known investors
FIRST CVC operates a community for corporate venture capital professionals and supports Japanese corporates in launching and running CVC programs, while helping startups with business partnerships and fundraising. The company serves operating companies and startups within Japan's open innovation ecosystem.
Also known as FIRST CVC
Founders & leadership
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026FIRST CVC operates an open-innovation platform in Japan that connects corporate venture capital teams, corporates, venture capital firms and startups. Its stated aim is to help corporate innovation teams involve internal business units in open innovation, combining an AI-based research product with a physical community space.
The offering consists of two services. CATALYST is an AI research tool that articulates business-unit needs, generates same-day draft materials with diagrams, and lets users search more than 5,000 startups, scoring them A-D from the client company's perspective; needs lists and results can be shared with colleagues, with invitations free of charge and a free plan available. JAPAN CVC BASECAMP is a physical location and community on the 41st floor of a building about a 30-second walk from Tokyo Station, offering monthly AI-matching events and access to a shared network of affiliated VCs and corporate members.
The company describes a three-step cycle: search (vector search, chat and lists over its proprietary database), screening (instant initial reports with synergy-idea summaries for internal circulation), and connect (AI-matching events and one-on-one meetings held in person near Tokyo Station), leading to collaboration.
Business model
Combination of a software product (CATALYST, offered with a free plan and paid tiers) and a paid membership community and workspace (JAPAN CVC BASECAMP) priced from JPY 100,000 per month.
Subscription revenue from the CATALYST AI research tool and monthly membership fees for the JAPAN CVC BASECAMP community and venue, stated as starting at JPY 100,000 per month.
Traction
The website reports 530+ CVC members, 30+ partner VCs, a shared network of 50 affiliated VCs and 550 CVCs/corporates, a searchable database of more than 5,000 startups, and monthly matching events.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Positions itself as one of Japan's largest CVC and innovation platforms, citing a shared network of about 50 affiliated VCs and 550 CVC and corporate organizations, 530+ community members and 30+ partner VCs.
Pairs AI-assisted startup discovery, scoring and document generation with a curated physical community and recurring matching events, covering the path from search and screening through to in-person introductions.
Technology
AI-driven vector search and chat over a proprietary startup database of more than 5,000 companies, automated A-D scoring of startups against a client's perspective, automated generation of illustrated draft materials and initial screening reports, and AI-based matchmaking used to organize events.
Go-to-market
Self-serve entry via a free plan for the CATALYST tool, paid monthly membership for the BASECAMP community, and recurring in-person AI-matching events and individual meetings at its Tokyo Station location.
Corporate venture capital teams and business units at operating companies, venture capital firms, and startups seeking corporate partners or investors in Japan; testimonials cite a CVC manager at a large manufacturer and a Series A healthtech CEO.
Geography
Japan-focused, with a physical base on the 41st floor of a building roughly 30 seconds' walk from Tokyo Station.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — 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 — not independently audited.
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Firstcvcfirstcvc.jp · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Firstcvc do?
- Japanese open-innovation platform pairing an AI startup-research tool with a Tokyo-based CVC community and matching venue.
- Who are Firstcvc's investors?
- Firstcvc's investors include DG Daiwa Ventures.
- Where is Firstcvc headquartered?
- Firstcvc is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.