🦊/Investors

SMBC Venture Capital

Corporate VC

Tokyo · Pre-Seed–Late Stage · 27 people tracked

Also known as SMBCベンチャーキャピタル株式会社

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Investment thesis

As one of Japan's established venture capital firms with more than two decades of investing experience, SMBC Venture Capital takes a long-term investment approach. It draws on relationships with auditing firms, securities companies, and other investors that support startups, and as part of the broader Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group it offers seamless, stage-appropriate support through the group's global network and integrated financial capabilities, accompanying entrepreneurs as their businesses grow.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 24, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Late Stage
Check
$2.3M – $269M
HQ
Tokyo, JP
Leads rounds
Follows
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2010
Last 12 months
1 investment
Tracked investments
170
IPOs
6

Team · 27 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Hiroya Ota· Managing Directorin
Hayato Okano· Investment Sales Department 3
Hiroki Tanaka· Kansai Investment Sales Department
Keita Kawato· Kansai Investment Sales Department
Kentaro Hirano· Investment Sales Department 4
Makoto Morita· Investment Sales Department 4
Nodoka Nose· Investment Sales Department 2
Shota Kamimura· Investment Sales Department 2
Tatsuya Kaneko· Investment Sales Department 2in
Yoshihito Shinpaku· Investment Sales Department 3 (Osaka)
Yoshitsugu Owada· Investment Sales Department 1
Yuta Watanabe· Investment Sales Department 1

What they invest in

from 131 of 170 portfolio companies

SaaS ×44AI & Machine Learning ×38Enterprise Software ×28Consumer ×20Biotech ×19Deep Tech ×19Healthtech ×18Media & Entertainment ×16

HQs:Japan×125France×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 40 portfolio companies
83%
solo founders
33 of 40 mapped founding teams
42%
repeat founders
of 19 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×332 founders×43 founders×24+ founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 19 founders with education data

The University of Tokyo ×3Keio University ×2Waseda University ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 15 founders with field-of-study data

Business & Management ×3Finance & Accounting ×3Law ×3Economics ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 19 founders with career history

ABeam Consulting ×2McKinsey & Company ×2Rakuten ×2

Investments · 170 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2025 · 22023 · 22022 · 12021 · 12020 · 28 dated

㈱WAKAZEwakaze-store.com𝕏✓ verified

WAKAZE manufactures and sells Japanese sake and craft spirits, with production operations in both Japan and France.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechParis, FR

Takuma Inagawa(Representative Director & CEO)in

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalEgg ForwardJAFCO GroupJapan FinanceNissay CapitalSpiral Ventures+1 more

㈱アプトポッドaptpod.co.jpin𝕏✓ verified

A company that provides advanced data streaming and pipeline technology to connect physical devices, data systems, and virtual spaces, serving manufacturers and industrial companies transitioning to digital business models.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureHardwareIoTMobility & TransportationTokyo, JP

Junichi Sakamoto(CEO)

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalKiraboshi CapitalSBI Investment

bellFacebellface.co.jpin𝕏✓ verified

bellFace builds AI agents for sales teams, combining human and AI to handle sales work.

AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech

Kazuaki Nakajima(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))Hidenori Onuma(取締役 (Director))

Co-investorsSpiral CapitalAizawa Asset ManagementAxiom Asia Private CapitalCanal VenturesGlobis Capital PartnersResona Capital Co. Ltd.+2 more

Betterengagebetterengage.ai✓ verified

BetterEngage is an employee experience platform (EXP) that integrates and visualizes scattered HR data in real time, giving HR staff and managers a cross-cutting view of employee and organizational conditions.

AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaSTokyo, JP

石原史章(代表取締役 (CEO))

Co-investorsDG Ventures, Inc.Open Network Lab

ClipLine㈱clipline.com✓ verified

ClipLine develops and operates ABILI, a platform for service businesses, alongside offering management consulting services.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSTokyo, JP

高橋 勇人

Co-investorsCanal VenturesDBJ CapitalAizawa Asset ManagementIncubate FundDG Daiwa VenturesMPower

Definerdefiner.jp✓ verified

Definer Inc. is a Tokyo-based consulting and IT solutions company that uses AI and other advanced technologies, and develops a product called PrismScaler.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Kentaro Sakamoto(Founder / CEO)in

Co-investorsKUSABI

Gheliaghelia.com✓ verified

GHELIA develops AI and software systems, providing consulting and engineering services for AI applications.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareTokyo, JP

北野 宏明(ファウンダー (Founder))清水 亮(ファウンダー・顧問 (Founder & Advisor))齋藤 真(代表取締役社長 (CEO))

Co-investorsGlobis Capital PartnersMitsubishi UFJ CapitalWiL

Hacobuhacobu.jp𝕏✓ verified

Hacobu provides data-driven logistics solutions to address labor shortages and inefficiencies in Japan's inter-company logistics market.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSTokyo, JP

佐々木 太郎(代表取締役社長CEO)Taro Sasaki(Representative Director, President & CEO)

Co-investorsArchetype VenturesIDATEN VenturesJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.JIC Venture Growth InvestmentsToyota TsushoVisionnaire Ventures, Llc+1 more

Link Us.Colink-us.co.jpin✓ verified

LINK-US Co., Ltd. develops, designs, and manufactures devices based on ultrasonic complex vibration and high-power ultrasonic technology, including room-temperature bonding equipment for joining same and dissimilar metal materials.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareTokyo, JP

Jun Mitsuyuki(Representative Director)in

Co-investorsMiyako CapitalShizuoka CapitalKepple GroupMitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho CapitalSumitomo Mitsui Trust nvestment Co. Ltd.

Megakaryonmegakaryon.com✓ verified

Megakaryon is a regenerative medicine company that develops cell therapies, including iPS cell-derived products such as platelets, for clinical applications.

BiotechHealthtechLongevityMedical DevicesKyoto, JP

Co-investorsMiyako CapitalDBJ CapitalJapan Asia InvestmentKSP, Inc.Mitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho Capital+1 more

Morusmorus.jp✓ verified

Morus Inc. is a Japanese company established in April 2021 and led by CEO Ryo Sato.

AgTechBiotechFoodTechSector AgnosticWellness & Fitness

Kunihiro Shiomi(Co-founder (Professor, Shinshu University))Ryo Sato(CEO)in

Co-investorsDG Daiwa VenturesANRIGlobisHachijuni CapitalMizuho CapitalSamurai Incubate+1 more

Rehab For Japanrehabforjapan.comin✓ verified

Rehab for JAPAN develops and provides "Rehab Cloud," a SaaS platform for elderly care and rehabilitation providers, along with "Rehab Studio," an online rehabilitation service, and conducts R&D on AI-based care technology.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDigital HealthHealthtechLongevitySaaSTokyo, JP

大久保亮(代表取締役社長 CEO)in

Co-investorsCapital Medica VenturesEISAI CO.,LTDMitsubishi UFJ CapitalMonex VenturesMTG VenturesNissay Capital+5 more

ROUTE06route06.co.jpin𝕏✓ verified

ROUTE06 builds AI-driven development platforms (Acsim, Giselle, Liam) and provides consulting, enterprise system development, and DX support services for large companies.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareTokyo, JP

遠藤 崇史(代表取締役 (CEO/Founder))松本 均(取締役 (Co-founder))重岡 正(取締役CTO (Co-founder))Tadashi Shigeoka(Founder)in見浪 康平(執行役員CFO)Takafumi Endoin

Co-investorsDelight VenturesALL STAR SAAS FUNDGenesia VenturesJAFCO GroupMitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho Capital

Valt Japanvalt-japan.com𝕏✓ verified

VALT JAPAN provides business process outsourcing services and employment support for people with disabilities, operating the NEXT HERO platform.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechImpact & Social GoodSocialJapan, JP

小野 貴也(代表取締役)

Co-investorsMitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho CapitalPrime PartnersZ Venture Capital

Yoshidumiyoshidumi.com✓ verified

Yoshidumi is a group company headquartered in Japan that operates through multiple subsidiaries providing cloud infrastructure services, Google Workspace solutions, and generative AI consulting across Asia-Pacific and South America.

Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSTokyo, JP

Harumichi Akitain

Co-investorsTBS Innovation PartnersMarubeniMizuho CapitalWiL

Zeroboard Inc.zeroboard.jpin𝕏✓ verified

Zeroboard develops a cloud platform that helps companies collect, manage, and disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data.

CleantechClimate TechImpact & Social GoodSaaSTokyo, JP

渡慶次 道隆

Co-investorsCoral CapitalDelight VenturesDnx VenturesFFG Venture Business PartnersJapan Green Investment Corporation for Carbon NeutralityMizuho Capital+2 more

アリヴェクシス㈱alivexis.comin✓ verified

Alivexis is a drug discovery company that develops small molecule therapeutics targeting cancer, immune-inflammatory conditions, and rare diseases, leveraging computational platforms and disease biology expertise across operations in Japan and the US.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechTokyo, JP

S. Roy Kimura(Cofounder & CEO)inKazuki Ohno(Cofounder & COO)

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalFast Track InitiativeMobile Internet Capital, Inc.UTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.

エクセルギー・パワー・システムズexergyworld.com✓ verified

Exergy Power Systems develops and operates hybrid battery energy storage systems (BESS) and energy management systems for large-scale power consumers, factories, hospitals, and grid operators seeking to achieve net-zero targets.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyTokyo, JP

Dr Miura Daisuke(CEO)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsMitsubishi UFJ CapitalNissay CapitalGlobal Brain

オリヅルセラピューティクス株式会社orizuru-therapeutics.com✓ verified

Orizuru Therapeutics develops cellular therapy products and regenerative medicine treatments utilizing iPS cell-related technology.

BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesFujisawa, JP

Kenji Nonaka(代表取締役 (CEO))

Co-investorsKyoto University Innovation CapitalSumitomo Mitsui Trust BankJDRF T1D Fund

ジョイズ株式会社joyz.co.jp✓ verified

Joyz develops TerraTalk, a cloud-based English learning application for educational institutions in Japan.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSTokyo, JP

Yoshiyuki Kakihara

Co-investorsCanal VenturesMizuho CapitalZ Venture Capital

大熊ダイヤモンドデバイス株式会社ookuma-dd.com✓ verified

Ookuma Diamond Device develops diamond semiconductor technology, aiming to apply diamond-based devices across various fields.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsSapporo, JP

星川 尚久(代表者 (Representative))

Co-investorsaSTARTCoral CapitalGlobis Capital PartnersFFG Venture Business PartnersHokuhoku CapitalMitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital+1 more

株式会社ACROVEacrove.co.jp𝕏✓ verified

ACROVE is a Japanese company focused on e-commerce, aiming to bring products to more consumers through EC (electronic commerce).

ConsumerData & InfrastructureE-commerceRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP

Shunsuke Arai(代表取締役 社長執行役員 / グループCEO (Representative Director, President & Group CEO))inTetsuo Yamada(取締役 / 副社長執行役員 グループCOO)Toshiki Terashima(執行役員 CTO)Yuji Kozawa(執行役員 CAE)

Co-investorsHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.Japan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Shizuoka CapitalAozora Corporate InvestmentCyberAgent CapitalDai Nippon Printing+7 more

株式会社Kyashkyash.co𝕏✓ verified

Kyash is a Japanese mobile payment app that lets users load funds into their balance from bank accounts, credit or debit cards, Pay-easy, and dedicated deposit accounts, with no deposit fees and options for scheduled or automatic top-ups.

ConsumerFintechTokyo, JP

Shinichi Takatori(Representative Director & President (Founder))in

Co-investorsAltos VenturesBlock IncGoodwater CapitalGreyhound CapitalJAFCO GroupMitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital+7 more

株式会社Mintominto-inc.jp𝕏✓ verified

Minto produces content across manga, animation, drama, and character properties, working with creators to deliver emotionally engaging entertainment.

ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

水野 和寛(代表取締役 (CEO))

Co-investorsABC Dream VenturesEast VenturesKakao PiccomaMizuho CapitalSpiral VenturesNTT DOCOMO Ventures

株式会社TechBowlの画像techbowl.co.jp✓ verified

TechBowl is a Japanese internet-services company that runs TechTrain, an engineering-education program aimed at training the next generation of engineers, alongside an HR/recruiting business.

EdTechFuture of WorkHR TechTokyo, JP

Masao Ozawa(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))

Co-investorsXTech VenturesHakuhodo DY Ventures

株式会社インゲージingage.co.jp𝕏✓ verified

INGAGE develops and provides Re:lation, a cloud-based communication platform designed for customer-facing teams to manage individual customer interactions.

Cloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSales TechTokyo, JP

和田 哲也(代表取締役CEO)

Co-investorsHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.DIMENSIONMIRAIDOOR Co. Ltd.Mitsubishi UFJ CapitalMizuho CapitalNippon Venture Capital+1 more

株式会社マツリカmazrica.com𝕏✓ verified

A team/recruitment page for Mazrica, listing company members and links to hiring materials.

AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales TechTokyo, JP

黒佐英司(代表取締役CEO)Eiji Kurosain

Co-investorsDnx VenturesIyogin CapitalNTT DOCOMO VenturesOita Venture CapitalArchetype VenturesKiraboshi Capital+5 more

Archesarches-global.comin𝕏

Arches operates an Expert Transcript Library that provides investors with transcripts of investor-led interviews with industry insiders, offering independent perspectives to generate and validate investment ideas.

B2B MarketplacesData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechMarketing TechSaaS

Hiroki Kato(Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsKUSABI

Asteriskasx.co.jp𝕏

Asterisk is a Japanese IT company operating an AsReader product business and a systems integration business.

Enterprise SoftwareHardwareIoTSaaS

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Astroscale Holdingsastroscale.comin𝕏

Astroscale develops on-orbit servicing solutions, providing end-to-end services covering mission licensing, spectrum acquisition, insurance, and operations to support the circular space economy.

Circular EconomyDeep TechSpace TechTokyo, JP

Nobu Okada(Founder & CEO)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsaSTARTEnergy & Environment InvestmentSumitomo Mitsui Trust nvestment Co. Ltd.UTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.

Axelspace Holdingsaxelspacehd.comin𝕏

Axelspace provides microsatellite services through its "AxelLiner" one-stop offering — covering design, manufacturing, launch arrangement, and post-launch operation — and operates the "AxelGlobe" Earth observation platform built on its GRUS satellite constellation.

Deep TechHardwareSpace TechTokyo, JP

Yuya Nakamura(President and CEO)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsNippon Venture Capital

BASEbinc.jp

BASE Inc. operates e-commerce and payment services in Japan, including online store creation and the Pay ID payment service with installment "buy now, pay later" options.

E-commerceFintechSaaSTokyo, JP

Yuta Tsuruoka(Representative Director)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGlobal Brain

Basic Inc.basicinc.jp𝕏

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))

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsi-nest capital

CADDicaddi.jpJul 2023 · $89M

Manufacturing technology company; MGP invested in its Series C extension round (2025).

Yushiro Kato(Founder)in

Co-investorsMinerva Growth PartnersAtomicoDCM VenturesGlobal BrainGlobis Capital PartnersMitsubishi UFJ Capital+1 more

Chordia Therapeuticschordiatherapeutics.com

Cancer therapeutics development (RNA regulation abnormalities).

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsKyoto University Innovation CapitalNippon Venture CapitalShinsei Capital PartnersUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.

Cyfuse Biomedicalcyfusebio.com

Cyfuse Bio develops 3D cell-based tissue and organ products created from cells alone, without artificial materials, for transplantation to restore original tissue and organ function in regenerative medicine applications.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesTokyo, JP

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalNippon Venture Capital

Delta-Fly Pharma株式会社delta-flypharma.co.jp

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsNippon Venture Capital

GMOフィナンシャルゲート株式会社gmo-fg.com

GMO Financial Gate provides a cashless payment platform with a focus on convenience, security, and trust.

FintechHardwareRetail Tech

杉山 憲太郎(Representative Director and President)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGMO Internet

Green Earth Institutegei.co.jp

Green Earth Institute is a Japanese company operating a corporate office in Tokyo and a research center in Kisarazu, Chiba.

BiotechTokyo, JP

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsSony Ventures CorporationSustainable Conversion VenturesUniversal Materials IncubatorUTEC

HAKKIhakki-africa.com𝕏

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

KOJI TOKIDA(Co-Founder/COO)inReiji Kobayashi(Founder)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsFunds StartupsGlobal BrainGlobis Capital PartnersHeadline

Heartseed株式会社heartseed.jp

Heartseed develops cardiac regenerative medicine, creating heart muscle cells from iPS cells for transplantation to treat heart failure, with its lead pipeline HS-001 nearing clinical trials.

BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices

Keiichi Fukuda(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsAngel Bridge Co.,Ltd.Astellas Venture Management LLCKeio Innovation InitiativeMedical Incubator Japan K.K.Sumitomo Mitsui Trust nvestment Co. Ltd.UTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.

Helpfeel Inc.helpfeel.com𝕏Aug 2025

Helpfeel provides a knowledge data platform that uses search technology and AI to organize and deliver company knowledge to customers and employees.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS京都, JP

洛西 一周 (Shūichi Nagata)(代表取締役/CEO)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGlobal BrainGlobis Capital PartnersZ Venture CapitalOne CapitalSalesforce Ventures

HiOLIhioli.co.jpSep 2021

HiOLI is a Japanese craft sweets company that makes additive-free ice cream, butter sweets, and dairy products using ingredients sourced directly from dairy and vegetable farmers, operating brands such as HiO ICE CREAM, Butters, 山ノチーズ, and MILKSTAR.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechTokyo, JP

Co-investorsOriental Land InnovationsFuture Food Fund

HRBrainhrbrain.co.jpin𝕏Dec 2020

HRBrain develops and provides cloud-based HR software for Japanese companies, including personnel evaluation, talent management, and organizational survey tools.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSTokyo, JP

堀 浩輝(代表取締役 CEO)白井 崇顕(取締役副社長 CRO)作井 英陽(取締役 CFO)

Co-investorsCanal VenturesAG CapitalBEENEXTGenesia VenturesMizuho CapitalSPARX Group

HYUGA PRIMARY CARE 株式会社hyuga-primary.care

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

KaKa Creationkakacreation.co.jp

Kaka Creation develops AI-powered tools for anime production, enabling individual creators to produce anime with improved speed and efficiency.

AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

竹原康友(代表取締役CEO)Takehara(Representative)飯塚直道(CCO/プロデューサー)

Co-investorsAPOLLO CAPITALDentsu VenturesAMUSEFFG Venture Business PartnersMIXINANKAI NEXT Ventures

KIYOラーニング株式会社kiyo-learning.com

KIYO Learning develops technology-based online learning services aimed at making study easier, clearer, and more sustainable for individuals and organizations.

EdTechHR TechSaaS

綾部 貴淑(代表 (CEO))Kiyoshi Ayabe(Founder)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsfreebit investmentMIRAI SOUZOU

LUUPluup.sc𝕏

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

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsDG IncubationGlobal Braini-nest capitalOpen Network LabPKSHA Technology CapitalTBS Innovation Partners+2 more

New Innovationsnewinov.com

New Innovations develops OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) services and solutions, along with robots for industrial automation.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareRoboticsSaaSTokyo, JP

Keito Nakao(Co-CEO & CTO)inTsutomu Yamada(Co-CEO)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation FundShizuoka CapitalNissay CapitalSBI Investment

note株式会社note.jp𝕏

note is a media platform that lets creators publish and monetize text, images, audio, and other content, supporting a range of creative activities.

Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSocial

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsFemto PartnersJAFCO GroupNippon Venture CapitalTBS Innovation Partners

Perseus Proteomicsppmx.com

Perseus Proteomics develops and supplies research antibodies targeting nuclear receptors and transcription factors, along with ELISA kits and diagnostic assays, serving life sciences researchers and pharmaceutical development.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical Devices

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalKyoto University Innovation CapitalNewton BiocapitalNippon Venture Capital

PRD Therapeuticsprdtherapeutics.comSep 2023

PRD Therapeutics is a drug-discovery startup developing first-in-class oral SOAT2-selective inhibitors (PRD compounds derived from pyripyropene A) to regulate lipid metabolism.

BiotechLongevityTokyo, JP

細田 莞爾(代表取締役社長 / President & Co-Founder)供田 洋(社外取締役 / Co-Founder)

Co-investorsJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsJAFCO GroupMizuho Capital

QD Laserqdlaser.com

QD Laser develops, manufactures, and sells high-efficiency semiconductor lasers for telecommunications and industrial use, as well as visual-information devices.

Deep TechHardwareMedical DevicesSemiconductorsYokohama, JP

Mitsuru Sugawara(Founder)in菅原 充(Founder & Chief Technology Advisor)大久保 潔(President & Representative Director)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsBeyond Next VenturesMIRAI SOUZOUMitsui Global InvestmentOita Venture CapitalUntroD CapitalUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.+1 more

ROXXroxx.co.jp

ROXX is a Japanese company that aims to raise the incomes of people without academic or career credentials by connecting individuals to opportunities and helping companies grow, using technology to address social challenges in Japan's shrinking labor market.

AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSTokyo, JP

Taro Nakajima(Representative Director & President (CEO))inDaisuke Ueki(Senior Executive Officer, COO / SVP of Business)Hiroto Nishimura(Senior Executive Officer / SVP of Corporate)inToshiki Takase(Executive Officer, CAO)Kota Matsumoto(Executive Officer, CTO)inGeorge Yoshimoto(Executive Officer, CFO)

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Seibu Shinkin CapitalSkyland Ventures

Schooschoo.jp

Schoo is an online learning service offering live, interactive video lessons and recorded courses on practical work skills across 19 categories, with over 9,000 lessons and 1,000+ recorded classes available free.

EdTechFuture of WorkMedia & Entertainment

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGlobal BrainAozora Corporate InvestmentIncubate Fund

SOUNDRAW Inc.soundraw.ioin𝕏Jul 2022

SOUNDRAW is an AI music generator that creates royalty-free, legally licensed tracks trained exclusively on in-house produced music.

AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & Entertainment

Co-investorsANOBAKAAPOLLO CAPITALCarbide Venturesmint VCDEEPCORE Inc.iSGS Investment Works+1 more

Subsclifesubsclife.com𝕏Sep 2020

Subsclife operates a subscription-based rental service for furniture and home appliances, offering designer furniture brands, lighting, and appliances such as chairs, tables, refrigerators, and washing machines.

ConsumerE-commerceMarketplaces

Co-investorsKDDI Open Innovation FundCyberAgent CapitalMitsubishi UFJ CapitalUNITEDXTech Ventures

SymBio Pharmaceuticalssymbiopharma.com

SymBio Pharmaceuticals develops and delivers prescription pharmaceuticals, providing product information on its medical drugs to healthcare professionals in Japan.

BiotechHealthtech

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsDBJ CapitalNippon Venture CapitalTNP Partners Corporation

Veritas In Silicoveritasinsilico.comin

Veritas In Silico develops AI-driven drug discovery platforms targeting RNA and nucleic acid-based therapeutics, partnering with pharmaceutical companies for small molecule and mRNA drug creation.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesKawasaki, JP

Shingo Nakamura(CEO)in

PartnerHiroya Ota· solo GP

Co-investorsGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation FundNippon Venture CapitalShinsei Capital Partners

Yamapyamap.com𝕏

YAMAP is a hiking and outdoor app that shows a user's current location on trail maps even without cell signal, helping prevent getting lost.

ConsumerMobility & TransportationSocial

Co-investors15th RockOita Venture Capital

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

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Portfolio news

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Frequently asked questions

How many investments has SMBC Venture Capital made?
SMBC Venture Capital has 170 tracked investments, 6 of which have exited, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does SMBC Venture Capital invest at?
SMBC Venture Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage stages.
What is SMBC Venture Capital's typical check size?
SMBC Venture Capital typically writes checks of $2.3M – $269M.
What sectors does SMBC Venture Capital focus on?
SMBC Venture Capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Biotech, Data & Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, Medical Devices, New Materials, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
Where is SMBC Venture Capital located?
SMBC Venture Capital is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
Does SMBC Venture Capital lead rounds?
SMBC Venture Capital typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Who does SMBC Venture Capital co-invest with?
SMBC Venture Capital most often shares deals with Nippon Venture Capital, DBJ Capital, Global Brain, among 60 tracked co-investors.

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