TBS Innovation Partners
Corporate VCSeed–Growth
Also known as TBSイノベーション・パートナーズ合同会社
Investment thesis
The firm believes capital alone is not enough to build the future founders envision; startups also need people who empathize with and support that vision. Drawing on TBS's background in journalism and entertainment, which has promoted diverse values and lifestyles, the firm offers a distinctive form of investment focused on attractively communicating a startup's often abstract vision and extending it to a broader audience. It positions the power to build empathy and awareness as essential, especially for more ambitious visions.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
What they invest in
from 26 of 38 portfolio companiesMedia & Entertainment ×11SaaS ×11Consumer ×8Creator Economy ×7Enterprise Software ×6Marketing Tech ×5AI & Machine Learning ×4Cloud Computing ×3
HQs:Japan×25South Korea×1United States×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 13 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×82 founders×43 founders×1
Investments · 38 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Preferred Networks vertically integrates computer science technologies from semiconductors and computing infrastructure to solutions and applications, developing AI/machine learning systems including the domestically-built large language model PLaMo and the MN-Core AI processor series.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareSemiconductorsTokyo, JP
西川徹(Co-founder)岡野原大輔(Co-founder)
Co-investorsDevelopment Bank of JapanMitsubishi UFJ Asset ManagementMitsui & CoSumitomo Mitsui Trust BankTEL Venture Capital, Inc.
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
Co-investorsMarubeniMizuho CapitalSMBC Venture CapitalWiL
Fogg Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2013 that develops internet and mobile services, with a focus tied to the entertainment, character, and licensing content industry.
AdTechConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSaaSTokyo, JP
Yusuke Sekine(Representative Director, CEO / Founder)Yoshihiro Uda(Director / Co-Founder)Shinji Inakuma(Director, COO)
Co-investorsW Inc.
This page is a company name-change notice stating that Fringe81 Inc. was renamed to Unipos Inc. as of October 1, 2021, and redirects visitors to the Unipos website.
Sector Agnostic
Co-investorsNTT DOCOMO Ventures
Glorang provides AI-powered education infrastructure that automates administrative and content creation tasks for educational institutions.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
Hwang Tae-il(CEO)
Co-investorsDG Daiwa VenturesPKSHA Technology CapitalIndustrial Bank of KoreaKorea Development BankKorea Investment Partners
Co-investorsJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsSony Ventures Corporation
ispace develops technology for lunar surface operations and commercialization as part of building an economic zone between Earth and the Moon.
Deep TechHardwareRoboticsSpace TechTokyo, JP
Takeshi Hakamada(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsBeyond Earth VenturesUntroD Capital
Co-investorsAPOLLO CAPITALZ Venture Capital
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 Braini-nest capitalOpen Network LabPKSHA Technology CapitalANRI+2 more
Magocoro Support (まごころサポート) is a service for seniors that helps with everyday tasks and needs, from light chores like changing light bulbs and house cleaning to arranging professional services, expert referrals, and gift selection, delivered by local staff called "concierges." It also offers "Magocoro Support Plus," a smartphone basics support service, and operates in areas of Japan such as Fukushima and Okinawa.
ConsumerHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Money Forward provides financial services and a "money platform" for individuals and businesses, aiming to help users manage money and solve financial challenges.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Yosuke Tsuji(Founder)in
Co-investorsDnx VenturesGlobis Capital PartnersGMO VenturePartnersAltaIR CapitalFlorida FundersMizuho Capital+5 more
MUGENUP provides services across content planning, production, management, distribution, and education, supporting creators and content producers to monetize their work through technology-enabled solutions.
Creator EconomyEdTechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
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
Co-investorsFemto PartnersJAFCO GroupNippon Venture CapitalSMBC Venture Capital
Okage offers a business product referred to as the "Okage DX Platform" (formerly the Okage series).
Enterprise SoftwareFoodTechRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP
内田善久(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsKDDI Open Innovation Fund
Open8 is a Japanese technology company focused on the information and content industry, aiming to turn the vast flow of online information into higher-quality content and serve as an information infrastructure for businesses.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechMedia & Entertainment
髙松 雄康(代表取締役社長兼CEO)
Co-investorsGlobis Capital PartnersShizuoka Capital
Pickleball One operates media and event platforms for pickleball in Japan, including national tournaments and news content aimed at growing participation in the sport.
Media & EntertainmentSports TechTokyo, JP
Shuusaku KumakuraShusaku Kumakura(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
The Chain Museum operates art-related services including ArtSticker, a gallery, and art project coordination.
ConsumerMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
遠山正道(Founder (Smiles / involved with The Chain Museum))Masamichi Toyama(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))
BoardNaoki Ito(取締役 (Director))Jun Tanaka(取締役 (Director))Dai Miyagawa(取締役 (Director))
Co-investorsGOLDWIN VENTURE PARTNERSKDDI Open Innovation Fund
Tyffon develops location-based mixed reality (MR) entertainment content and operates an XR theme park facility called TYFFONIUM.
ConsumerCreator EconomyGamingMedia & EntertainmentWest Hollywood, US
Ken Fukazawa(CEO / CCO)inTeruyuki Nakahashi(Executive Officer, Director)inTakeshi (Ken) Fukazawa(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardTohru Akaura(Director)
Co-investorsCanal VenturesTechstarsIncubate FundMizuho Capital
Runs various energy businesses including sales of renewable energy to individuals and companies.
Voice x technology company aiming to build an exciting society.
iRidge develops app-based business solutions centered on OMO (online-to-offline) capabilities for retail and commerce customers.
Developer ToolsE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP
Kenta Oda(Representative Director & President)
Co-investorsGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation Fund
Startbahn provides blockchain-based platforms for creators and artists to authenticate digital and physical artworks, manage collectible provenance, and capture resale royalties.
Creator EconomyCrypto & Web3Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSTokyo, JP
Co-investorsMiyako CapitalSX Capital, Inc.UTEC
Japanese manga publisher and Webtoon studio producing original vertical-scroll comics distributed in 11 countries.
前田儒郎(Founder)in
Co-investorsAtinum Investment Co. Ltd.DBJ CapitalDentsu VenturesFunds StartupsGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation Fund+2 more
Fuller is a Japanese digital partner firm that helps clients with app and web strategy, product development, design, data analysis, and post-launch growth.
Data & InfrastructureMarketing TechSaaS
Co-investorsCARTA VENTURES, Inc.Colopl NextGlobal Brain
Blue Innovation provides drone- and robot-based solutions for industrial inspection, disaster response, and logistics, including chimney, power-line, underwater, and sewer inspection services.
Cloud ComputingHardwareIoTLogistics & Supply ChainRobotics
Takayuki Kumada(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))
BoardMasayuki Kumada(取締役 (Director))
Co-investorsDRONE FUNDJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Nippon Venture Capital
Yoani Group is the parent holding company for the Yoani anime production group, responsible for strategic planning and management support across its subsidiary companies.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
Masashi Kurata(Representative Director)
Co-investorsDentsu VenturesGlobal BrainGlobis Capital PartnersShizuoka CapitalSkyland VenturesW Inc.+1 more
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)
Co-investorsJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.NTT DOCOMO Ventures
BitStar is a Japanese company operating creator support and content production businesses, including influencer marketing solutions for brands and businesses.
AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP
渡邉 拓(代表取締役 社長執行役員CEO (Founder & CEO))原田 直(執行役員 (Co-founder))山下 雄太(執行役員CTO)出水 厚輝(執行役員CPO)
Co-investorsColopl NextKDDI Open Innovation FundRegrowth Capital Management
Tokyo company operating cooking-focused live-streaming fan media NATSLIVE and the IP collaboration cafe NATSLIVE CAFE.
Co-investorsW Inc.
Toysub is a toy subscription service that curates and delivers educational toys—ranging from traditional wooden items to modern electronic toys—to parents with young children, emphasizing parent-child interaction.
Circular EconomyConsumerEdTechMarketing TechMarketplacesSaaSChiba, JP
Norio ShidaKatsumi Takekawa(Representative)
Fermenstation develops and manufactures ethanol and food ingredients from food waste and other unused biomass through fermentation, and provides OEM/ODM production of cosmetics and sundry goods.
BiotechCircular EconomyFoodTechTokyo, JP
Rina Watanabe (Sakai)(Representative Director (CEO))Shota Kitabatake(Director & COO)inToshikazu Sugimoto(CTO)
Co-investorsSX Capital, Inc.Global BrainJR East Start UP
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLUUP · japanstartupobserver.substack.com · Dec 5, 2025
Preferred Networks · preferred.jp · Jun 30, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has TBS Innovation Partners made?
- TBS Innovation Partners has 37 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
- What stage does TBS Innovation Partners invest at?
- TBS Innovation Partners invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does TBS Innovation Partners focus on?
- TBS Innovation Partners focuses on Crypto & Web3, Media & Entertainment, Sector Agnostic.
- Who does TBS Innovation Partners co-invest with?
- TBS Innovation Partners most often shares deals with Global Brain, KDDI Open Innovation Fund, Globis Capital Partners, among 42 tracked co-investors.
Images
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