Inspire Corporation
Venture capitalTokyo · Seed–Series A · 9 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Inspire treats business development itself as its core business. Since its founding in 2000 it has run two parallel activities: investing in and growing ventures, and supporting new-business development at established operating companies. The firm works closely alongside domestic and international entrepreneurs and strong mid-sized companies, aiming to turn ideas and visions into realized business value by arranging capital and business alliances between ventures and operating companies. It provides 'risk money' to cushion the uncertainty of new ventures, framing risk as inseparable from opportunity, and states its mission as contributing to the creation of a 'mutualistic symbiosis society.'
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 9 people
from the firm's websiteWhat they invest in
from 13 of 15 portfolio companiesFoodTech ×6AgTech ×3AI & Machine Learning ×3Biotech ×3Consumer ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×2B2B Marketplaces ×2Cleantech ×2
HQs:Japan×10Malaysia×1United States×1
Investments · 15 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathA company connecting rural producers and urban consumers through branded platforms including an agriculture marketplace, food subscription service, and accommodation booking site, operating primarily in Japan.
AgTechB2B MarketplacesEnergyFoodTechImpact & Social GoodMarketplaces花巻市, JP
高橋 博之(代表取締役社長)権藤 裕樹(代表取締役副社長)
Co-investorsOita Venture Capital
Hydro Powtech develops proprietary hydrolysis technology and provides equipment and expertise to food manufacturers for creating plant-based food ingredients and products.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechCircular EconomyCleantechFoodTechNew MaterialsNagaoka, JP
熊澤 正純(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsAngel Bridge Co.,Ltd.
nami builds Wi-Fi sensing and AIoT infrastructure that combines Wi-Fi sensing engines with a Thread mesh network of battery-operated ambient sensors to enable motion and occupancy detection.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoT
Co-investorsHidalgo Venture Capital
Origin Wireless AI develops WiFi-based sensing technology that analyzes disruptions in WiFi signals to detect human presence, motion, and health metrics, turning smart devices into virtual sensors.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechIoTGreenbelt, US
Ray Liu(Executive Officer, Director)inK. J. Ray Liu(Founder, CTO & Chairman)inJoseph Wang(Director)Jeng-Feng Lee(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Yuen(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsOpen Network LabVerizon Ventures
Igalphan is a Japanese research company focused on IgA antibodies, studying their potential for maintaining and improving health and preventing disease.
BiotechHealthtech
A company focused on facilitating Japanese business expansion into Southeast Asia, particularly targeting the halal market in Malaysia.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainKuala Lumpur, MY
Takahiro Gokita五木田 貴浩(代表 (Representative))
Co-investorsHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.
Fundokin is a Japanese food manufacturer that produces and sells soy sauce, miso, dressings, ponzu, and other condiments.
Advanced ManufacturingConsumerFoodTech
Sakanotochu sells produce grown with low-environmental-impact farming methods, sourcing from roughly 300 farms mainly in western Japan, about 80% of them new-entry farmers.
AgTechDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechKyoto, JP
小野 邦彦(代表者 (Representative))Kunihiko Ono(Founder)
Co-investorsKyoto University Innovation Capital
ABEJA develops artificial intelligence and data solutions for enterprise customers.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaSTokyo, JP
岡田 陽介(Representative Director CEO & Founder)Keisuke T.(Founder)inYousuke Okada(Founder)in
Co-investorsJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.NTT DOCOMO VenturesTBS Innovation Partners
Hattendo is a Japanese food company that sells baked goods and sweets, including its signature cream-filled buns (kurīmu pan), melon bread, seasonal breads, and Japanese and Western confections, through an online store.
Direct to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTech
Co-investorsHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.
A Japanese company offering a lifestyle service that connects families living apart and local communities, aimed at helping people stay healthy and connected.
ConsumerSocialWellness & Fitness
Setsuro Tech is a biotech venture spun out of Tokushima University that uses genome editing to create genetically engineered animal models, knockout cells, and precision-breeding services for academic and industrial researchers.
Biotech
Co-investorsExponential Zaisan PartnersIyogin Capital
euglena Co. develops products based on the microalgae euglena, which it was the first in the world to mass-cultivate outdoors for food use, applying it across health/food, biofuel, and nutrition initiatives.
BiotechCleantechFoodTech
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Brewtope株式会社井村屋スタートアッププランニング株式会社
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Inspire Corporation made?
- Inspire Corporation has 15 tracked investments.
- What stage does Inspire Corporation invest at?
- Inspire Corporation invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Inspire Corporation focus on?
- Inspire Corporation focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software, FoodTech, Hardware, Healthtech, IoT, New Materials, Retail Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Inspire Corporation located?
- Inspire Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
- Who does Inspire Corporation co-invest with?
- Inspire Corporation most often shares deals with Hiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd., Angel Bridge Co.,Ltd., Exponential Zaisan Partners, among 11 tracked co-investors.
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