Funds Startups
Venture debtTokyo · Seed–Late Stage
Investment thesis
Funds Startups focuses on building financial infrastructure for the sustainable, optimal growth of mid- to later-stage startups, with its core business being venture debt. It argues that as exit strategies diversify, startups should not rely on equity alone but combine multiple funding methods, since capital strategy shapes growth flexibility. Through proprietary scoring models and startup-specialized lending expertise, it structures tailor-made financing aligned with each company's capital policy and business characteristics. Its funds provide several-hundred-million to up to one-billion-yen venture debt, and for deep tech startups it combines grant bridges, convertible bonds, and venture debt to support them across growth stages.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
What they invest in
from 7 of 29 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×3Data & Infrastructure ×2IoT ×2SaaS ×2Cleantech ×1Consumer ×1Deep Tech ×1EdTech ×1
HQs:Japan×8
Investments · 29 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Fufu Color is a specialized hair coloring salon chain in Japan offering affordable professional hair coloring services with quick turnaround times and a focus on accessible beauty care.
ConsumerWellness & FitnessTokyo, JP
Hakki Africa develops credit scoring algorithms and APIs for microfinance institutions and emerging market financial services in Africa, serving underbanked populations lacking formal credit history.
AI & Machine LearningFintechImpact & Social GoodSaaSTokyo, JP
REIJI KOBAYASHIKOJI TOKIDA(Co-Founder/COO)
Landit builds an urban intelligence platform that collects and analyzes spatial supply-demand and movement data using satellites, physical AI, and IoT, offering parking-focused digital products such as reservation, payment, brokerage, management, and AI camera automation services.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureMobility & TransportationPropTechTokyo, JP
Kenta Fujibayashi(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))
Operates location-sharing app 'whoo'
LocationMind provides location intelligence and spatial analysis services using GNSS positioning, satellite imagery, IoT sensing (LiDAR, UWB), and mobile big data to support urban planning, infrastructure, mobility, and commercial applications across multiple sectors.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureIoTTokyo, JP
Naoki Kiritani(Founder / CEO)Ryosuke Shibasaki(Founder / CTO)Dinesh Manandhar(Founder / CDO)
PAPAMO operates an online movement therapy classroom for children with developmental concerns and provides program support services for therapeutic facilities.
EdTechHealthtechTokyo, JP
Sakiko Hashimoto(Representative Director)
Develops AI medical devices such as the influenza test device 'nodoca', digitizing physicians' expertise.
AeterLink develops long-range wireless power transmission technology, including its "AirPlug" spatial wireless power system, and holds Japan's first WPT (wireless power transfer) radio station license.
CleantechDeep TechHardwareIoTTokyo, JP
Ryo Iwasa(Representative Director / CEO)Yuji Tanabe(Director / CTO)Kazuhiro Esashi(CAO (Chief Accounting Officer) / Head of Finance)
Stanford-spun startup commercializing microwave space-transmission wireless power 'AirPlug' for industry and medical implants.
Provides corporate ESG disclosure support and operates ESG-focused media.
Uses data and technology to expand the potential of parking infrastructure and solve social challenges.
X&Management Japan is an independent venture capital firm led by Keisuke Honda, investing actively in startups from the seed to Series A stage with the stated mission of creating Japan's first decacorn.
HR TechSaaSSector AgnosticNot stated, JP
Keisuke Honda
Offers the 'Confidential AI Suite' security product brand centered on confidential computing to safely connect data and AI.
Provides a governance/management system for public-sector budget consolidation and visualization to support sustainable local government operations.
Aims to reform the SES (staffing) industry with high engineer compensation rates and strong sales capabilities.
Operates a circular platform for durable consumer goods, including furniture/appliance rental subscription 'CLAS'.
University of Tokyo/Inria-spun AI startup deploying AI in mission-critical domains where failure is not tolerated.
Real estate tech startup offering transparent pricing and direct property purchasing via a proprietary appraisal system.
Original manga IP company producing and distributing manga across 11 countries with multi-format IP expansion.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesFast Beauty · thebridge.jp · Nov 17, 2025
HAKKI · techmoran.com · Sep 1, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Funds Startups invest at?
- Funds Startups invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What is Funds Startups's typical check size?
- Funds Startups typically writes checks of $66M.
- What sectors does Funds Startups focus on?
- Funds Startups focuses on Biotech, Deep Tech, Medical Devices, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Funds Startups located?
- Funds Startups is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
- Does Funds Startups lead rounds?
- Yes, Funds Startups leads investment rounds.
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