i-nest capital
Venture capitalTokyo · Pre-Seed–Growth · 7 people tracked
Also known as i-nest capital株式会社
Investment thesis
i-nest capital invests principally in domestic Japanese startups pursuing high-growth areas driven by technology including AI and digital transformation. Its target areas span new lifestyle and entertainment (proprietary IP, creators, distribution, e-comics, video, sports bodies), services solving specific needs or pains via IT and AI, value creation for existing industries such as security and manufacturing, and frontier technologies aligned with national policy priorities like semiconductors, decarbonization, space, materials and regenerative medicine. The firm allocates about 25% of fund capital to seed investments and 75% across early, middle and later stages, using milestone-based follow-on investment to concentrate in promising companies. It targets a 3x+ MoC and 20%+ gross IRR.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 7 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 37 of 82 portfolio companiesSaaS ×13Media & Entertainment ×12AI & Machine Learning ×11Marketing Tech ×9Consumer ×8Enterprise Software ×8Creator Economy ×7Healthtech ×5
HQs:Japan×35United States×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 13 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×102 founders×3
Investments · 82 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathWunderbar is a Japanese company focused on expanding the value and possibilities of intellectual property (IP) using technology.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSTokyo, JP
長尾 慶人(代表取締役CEO)
Co-investorsColopl NextANOBAKADEEPCORE Inc.East VenturesHakuhodo DY VenturesSBI Shinsei Corporate Investment
Tribal Media House is a digital marketing company that develops marketing logic and knowledge, having published over 20 books on the subject.
AdTechMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
Noriyuki Ikeda(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))
Co-investorsMitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho Capital
Co-investorsDBJ CapitalSkyland VenturesZ Venture Capital
PR TIMES is a press release distribution service that helps companies distribute news releases to media and the public, with content syndicated across more than 260 partner sites.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Co-investorsAngel Bridge Co.,Ltd.basepartnersDD Holdings Venture CapitalDIMENSIONi Cubed VenturesKintetsu Venture Partners+7 more
Japanese B2B SaaS company providing UPCYCLE, a procurement data platform for manufacturers' purchasing departments.
松原脩平in
Co-investorsColopl Next
Co-investorsGlobal BrainSony Ventures CorporationUntroD Capital
Sho Okiyama(Founder)in
Co-investorsBeyond Next VenturesFunds StartupsSTRIVEZ Venture CapitalAozora Corporate Investment
AOI Biosciences is a Japanese biotech company focused on infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, combining data analysis technology with proprietary bio-technology.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesIbaraki, JP
末田 伸一(代表取締役 (Representative Director/CEO))
Co-investorsNippon Venture CapitalNOW JapanSeiho Investment WorksUntroD Capital
Operates 'Bankers', a lending-type crowdfunding platform starting from 10,000 yen.
Basic Inc. is a Japanese "AI workflow company" that builds products using AI and process automation to help businesses grow without relying on increasing headcount.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSTokyo, JP
秋山 勝(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsSMBC Venture Capital
Provides 'cocoro:id', an interactive communication service with virtual characters.
emotivE develops conversational AI technology and AI content, building an "AI partner" (OMOHIKANE) based on multi-layered recognition algorithms with multimodal and multilingual capabilities.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSaaSTokyo, JP
結束 雅雪(代表取締役社長 (CEO))木村 健太郎(CFO)小林 剛(CTO)
Fanicon is a free membership-based fan community platform that lets creators — artists, idols, actors, influencers, athletes, comedians, and character/anime brands — build private, SNS-style communities to interact with and monetize their fans.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSocialTokyo, JP
Ferret One Solution provides B2B marketing services to help companies improve web-based lead generation through strategy design, site improvements, content creation, and SEO/AI optimization.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSSales TechTokyo, JP
Operates 'FLATTE', a low-cost OMO-type semi-personal gym.
Operates 'FÜRDI', a women-only AI personal gym.
IPDefine provides AI-driven patent infringement analysis and monetization services for institutional investors and corporations.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureFintechTokyo, JP
Mitsuhiro Okamoto(COO / Founder)Aaron Benjamin Mollin(CEO)Shoji Suzuki(Chief Research Officer)Haruki Marumo(Chief Development Officer)Satoshi Nishiyama(Chief Strategy Officer)
Luup operates an electric micro-mobility sharing service providing electric kick scooters and pedal-assist bicycles for short urban trips in Japan.
ConsumerMobility & TransportationSaaSTokyo, JP
Co-investorsDG IncubationGlobal BrainOpen Network LabPKSHA Technology CapitalTBS Innovation PartnersANRI+2 more
Medical device software for metabolic syndrome.
Co-investorsOno Digital health Investment, GK.UTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.
Japan's first artist-registration NFT marketplace platform 'nanakusa'.
Develops planning, development and services using the communication AI technology OMOHIKANE.
Produces original IP digital comics and operates the manga/novel app 'peep'.
Develops 'PRISM', a product knowledge utilization platform.
Provides 'Riamo', an AI couples app supporting relationships with partners.
Provides DX solutions including RPA adoption support service 'RoboRoid'.
SBI VC Trade is a cryptocurrency and digital payment exchange providing spot trading, margin trading, and related services in Japan.
Crypto & Web3FintechTokyo, JP
近藤 智彦(代表取締役社長)
Japanese startup digitizing packaging-material procurement for e-commerce and retail via a factory network and order-management SaaS.
Co-investorsGlobal BrainMIRAI SOUZOUSony Ventures CorporationW Inc.Z Venture CapitalEnergy & Environment Investment+1 more
Co-investorsSBVASoftBank Vision Fund
Sonar Assessment is an aptitude test solution that measures hiring criteria with high reliability and cost-effectiveness, integrated directly into the sonar ATS platform for streamlined candidate evaluation and reporting.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaS
Co-investorsW Inc.
Sun Metalon develops sustainable metal manufacturing processes to reduce the environmental impact of metal production.
Advanced ManufacturingCircular EconomyCleantechNew MaterialsWood Dale, US
Kazuhiko Nishioka(CEO Co-Founder)inKei Takizawa(Co-Founder, President at Sun Metalon Japan)in
BoardTatsuya Nakamura(Director)inNoriaki Sakamoto(Director)
Co-investorsGlobal BrainGlobis Capital PartnersISVJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsScrum VenturesUTEC+1 more
Synplogen is a synthetic biology startup spun out of Kobe University that offers custom artificial gene synthesis and DNA library construction services using its proprietary OGAB and Combinatorial-OGAB (Combi-OGAB) DNA assembly methods.
BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesKobe, JP
柘植謙爾(取締役 / Founder (Executive Research Fellow))山本一彦(代表取締役社長 兼 CEO)山田尚之(常務取締役 CTO)岩田清和(取締役 COO)齋藤俊介(取締役 医療ビジネスユニット長)
Co-investorsKobe University Capital
Tailor provides a headless ERP system designed as a flexible alternative to legacy platforms, enabling businesses to integrate backend operations with tools like Shopify, QuickBooks, and Netsuite.
Developer ToolsE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareSaaSTokyo, JP
Yo Shibata(Founder)inMisato Takahashi(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorGlobal BrainSpiral CapitalSpiral Innovation Partners
taskey is a Japanese media and entertainment company that creates novels and manga IP, operating the novel-posting social platform "taskey" and the "peep" service, and developing content into publishing, rights, and studio businesses.
Creator EconomyGamingMedia & EntertainmentSocialTokyo, JP
大石 弘務(代表取締役CEO)
Co-investorsPKSHA Technology Capital
THECOO operates a fan community platform called Fanicon and provides digital marketing services including influencer marketing strategy and consulting, along with tools to measure influencer value.
ConsumerCreator EconomyMarketing TechSocialTokyo, JP
Board平良 真人
Co-investorsNippon Venture CapitalZ Venture Capital
Things develops PRISM, an AI-powered product knowledge management platform that automatically classifies technical documents, integrates them with bill of materials, and provides generative AI assistance for product development and quality management workflows.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningSaaSTokyo, JP
Co-investorsGlobal BrainPKSHA Technology CapitalShizuoka Capital
Thinkings operates an HR Tech business offering sonar ATS (an applicant tracking system) and sonar store for recruitment and hiring management.
HR TechSaaSTokyo, JP
Satoru Takizawa(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))Akira Takizawa(President & Representative Director)
Co-investorsXTech Ventures
Develops and operates 'U Dom', a digital platform for entertainment (e-tickets, digital trading cards, merch, live streaming, fan clubs).
Provides 'UPCYCLE', a procurement data platform for manufacturing.
Provides 'UZU', an app for playing murder mystery games online.
Provides the virtual live streaming app 'StarLi'.
Our value operates PREMIER VALUE, a technology platform for the high-value movable goods market such as luxury watches and brand bags, including a bulk-appraisal referral service and a consumer-to-consumer trading app.
E-commerceMarketplacesRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP
Tomoo Aratsu(CEO / 代表取締役)
Co-investorsNew Commerce VenturesNOW Japan
Provides '24-hour unmanned/contactless LCC rental car 'All Time Rent-a-Car'.
Origress (オリグレス) is a Japanese "entertainment capital" firm that builds, acquires, and co-runs businesses across the entertainment sector, combining entertainment, finance, and group management.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsColopl NextGlobal Brain
COVER Corporation is a Japanese entertainment company that operates the "hololive production" VTuber agency and develops related virtual and metaverse content.
ConsumerCreator EconomyGamingMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
谷郷 元昭(代表取締役社長CEO)
Co-investorsDIMENSIONmint VCSMBC Venture CapitalSTRIVE
GOKKO (ごっこ倶楽部) is a Japanese entertainment company that produces vertical short dramas for platforms like TikTok, and operates a short-drama studio (studio505) and a vertical short-drama app called POPCORN.
ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
田中聡(代表取締役 (Representative Director))多田智(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsW Inc.
Operates Sukima Works, a logistics-focused staffing and short-term spot-work matching site.
Operates 'Sukima Works', a logistics-focused staffing and short-term gig job matching site.
Co-investorsMIRAI SOUZOUEnergy & Environment InvestmentUniversal Materials Incubator
Provides 'Hotchpotch VR', a VR-anime-focused streaming platform.
Valuetope operates a car-sharing style rental car service and develops solutions applying new technologies.
ConsumerMarketplacesMobility & TransportationTokyo, JP
Akio Sakuma(Representative)
Provides cutting-edge 2D entertainment experiences via its VTuber streaming system Hololive.
Provides cutting-edge 2D entertainment experiences using its self-developed VTuber streaming system 'hololive'.
Operates Monokabu, a specialized marketplace for sneakers and streetwear with authentication, per-item pricing, and historical sales data.
Operates 'Monokabu', a specialized marketplace for sneakers and streetwear with authentication and pricing/sales history data.
Co-investorsDIMENSION
Operates IP collaboration events (Leja Fes) and subscription entertainment facility use (Leja Pass).
Works ID promotes a business philosophy centered on "designing work," combining digital transformation (DX) with human creativity to solve client challenges and improve how people and companies work.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechTokyo, JP
Develops Kuchikomi.com, an AI store-support SaaS that turns review sites into sales.
Develops and operates 'Kuchikomikomu', an AI store-support SaaS turning reviews into sales.
Provides 'B4A', an all-in-one SaaS for private/cosmetic clinics.
D'Arts develops and operates "Hatchpot VR," a service that provides an environment for creators and companies to produce and distribute VR content, aiming to lower the barrier to entry into the VR industry.
ConsumerCreator EconomyGamingMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
Eika Takano(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Gaianixx develops, manufactures, and sells crystalline thin-film technology, including its "multifunctional intermediate film" and epitaxial materials based on a "dynamic lattice matching" mechanism researched at the University of Tokyo.
Deep TechNew MaterialsSemiconductorsTokyo, JP
Co-investorsJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsKiraboshi CapitalUTEC
IMPUTE develops digital therapy solutions for children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Digital HealthEdTechHealthtechTokyo, JP
Photo Electron Soul develops and manufactures electron beam generation devices and components for research and industrial applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsNagoya, JP
鈴木孝征(Representative Director (代表取締役))西谷智博(Director, Technology Development (取締役 技術開発担当))田村逸郎(Director, Management Planning (取締役 経営企画担当))土谷滋(Director, Business Operations (取締役 事業統括担当))
Co-investorsBeyond Next VenturesJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Shizuoka Capital
Sally (株式会社Sally) operates "Uzu," a platform connecting players and creators of murder mystery ("madamis") experiential entertainment.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerGamingMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
平石 英太郎(代表取締役CEO)茶屋 愛太郎(CTO)
Co-investorsOpen Network LabSamurai IncubateShochiku Ventures
Smash is a Japanese company that uses digital communication and conversations — with people or bots — as a way to solve problems, providing marketing, consulting, and data analysis services.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSTokyo, JP
Toshiya Sano(代表取締役CEO (Representative Director & CEO))
Shaperon builds AI software to help companies in regulated industries handle complex, industry-specific compliance and legal requirements.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechSaaSTokyo, JP
Rei Sakamoto(代表取締役 CEO)
Co-investorsALL STAR SAAS FUND
Bankers operates a loan-based crowdfunding platform where individuals invest from ¥10,000 into funds that lend to companies, receiving distributions from the interest paid.
Crypto & Web3FintechTokyo, JP
廣津 朋憲(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsFemto PartnersGMO VenturePartners
Co-investorsUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.
Utoniq operates "UDom," a fandom platform that lets artists, athletes, and entertainment brands run paid fan communities and issue "digital-real" trading cards and member-only content and online lotteries.
Creator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSocialTokyo, JP
常田俊太郎Shuntaro Tokita(Representative Director)
Co-investorsAngel Bridge Co.,Ltd.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesThings · entrepreneur.com · Apr 26, 2026
LUUP · japanstartupobserver.substack.com · Dec 5, 2025
Tailor · ycombinator.com · Jun 11, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has i-nest capital made?
- i-nest capital has 81 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does i-nest capital invest at?
- i-nest capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does i-nest capital focus on?
- i-nest capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cybersecurity, Deep Tech, Enterprise Software, Gaming, HR Tech, Marketing Tech, Media & Entertainment, New Materials, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors, Space Tech.
- Where is i-nest capital located?
- i-nest capital is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
- Who does i-nest capital co-invest with?
- i-nest capital most often shares deals with Global Brain, Z Venture Capital, W Inc., among 58 tracked co-investors.
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