Waseda University Ventures
Venture capitalTokyo · Pre-Seed–Growth · 15 people tracked
Also known as 早稲田大学ベンチャーズ株式会社
Investment thesis
Waseda University Ventures (WUV) is a venture capital firm dedicated to founding-stage investment, specializing in creating new startup companies that apply academic knowledge. Its mission is to implement scholarly insights and research outcomes into society, becoming a capital provider that generates businesses and industries contributing to the evolution and happiness of human society as well as sustainability. The firm backs university-originated deeptech and science-based ventures.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 27, 2026.
Team · 15 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 13 of 31 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×8Media & Entertainment ×5AI & Machine Learning ×3Biotech ×3Energy ×3Medical Devices ×3Cleantech ×2Hardware ×2
HQs:Japan×9United States×1
Investments · 31 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathZET Summit Kyoto is an event organized by Kyoto Prefecture that brings together researchers, companies, and public sector stakeholders to showcase zero emission technologies and foster collaboration between large corporations and green technology startups.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechKyoto, JP
Co-investorsMobile Internet Capital, Inc.
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 Venturesi-nest capital+7 more
Co-investorsAdvance Venture PartnersMaor InvestmentsNoetic
ANRis develops nucleic acid therapeutics using proprietary SNPD-siRNA technology for drug discovery and treatment delivery in medical and pharmaceutical applications.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesTokyo, JP
Kumiko Ui-Tei(Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer (CTO))Takeshi Wada(Co-Founder, Technical Advisor)Hiroaki Taniguchi(Co-Founder, Technical Advisor)川村 渉(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
BioPhenoMA develops a protein detection technology platform based on its proprietary TN-cyclon (improved enzyme cycling method) to quantify ultra-trace amounts of proteins in real biological samples while preserving their structure and localization.
BiotechDeep TechMedical Devices
Etsuro Ito(Founder)
Blue Laser Fusion develops proprietary pulsed laser technology for two main applications: directed energy defense systems and commercial fusion power generation.
Deep TechDefense TechEnergySanta Barbara, US
Dr. Shuji Nakamura(CEO)
EVerMed is a company focused on extracellular vesicle biology and pharmaceutical development, combining academic expertise with industry experience in drug development and regenerative medicine.
BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthMedical DevicesTokyo, JP
Dr. Yu Fujita(Founder, CTO)
NanoQT (Nanofiber Quantum Technologies) develops quantum interconnect hardware based on a proprietary ultra-low-loss nanofiber cavity that uses cavity quantum electrodynamics to link quantum processing units via photons.
Deep TechHardwareQuantum Computing
Masashi Hirose(Co-founder & CEO)inAkihisa Goban(Co-founder & CTO)inTakao Aoki(Co-founder & CSO)Richard Ogawa(General Counsel)Dai Tsukada(Head of Operations)inRieko Shinohara(Director of People and Culture)
Co-investorsPhoenix Venture Partners
Japan's first quantum computing hardware startup, developing gate-based quantum computers using a unique nanofiber-cavity QED (quantum electrodynamics) architecture, and aiming to build quantum networks by integrating quantum computing with quantum communication.
Co-investorsKeio Innovation InitiativePhoenix Venture Partners
Co-investorsAngel Bridge Co.,Ltd.AVVSilicon VenturesTaurus VenturesValidus
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun operates a Japanese-language news publication focused on industry, manufacturing, and business coverage in Japan, reporting on topics such as economic indicators, energy, and technology.
Media & Entertainment
Power Diamond Systems develops diamond semiconductor power and high-frequency devices, commercializing technology transferred from Waseda University research.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareSemiconductorsTokyo, JP
Tatsuya Fujishima(Co-Founder & CEO)Hiroshi Kawarada(Co-Founder)藤嶌 辰也(Co-Founder & CEO)川原田 洋(Co-Founder)
Co-investorsJIC Venture Growth Investments
ITmedia is a Japanese media portal that publishes articles and content on various technology topics.
Media & Entertainment
Co-investorsSoftBank GroupSumitomo Mitsui Trust nvestment Co. Ltd.
EMIRA is a Japanese online media publication that interprets innovation through the lens of "energy," featuring innovative people, sites, and past initiatives.
EnergyMedia & Entertainment
Newswitch is a Japanese news site covering economics and industry with a focus on manufacturing, technology, and careers, presenting specialized news in an accessible way.
AI & Machine LearningMedia & Entertainment
Quanmatic works on the social implementation and commercialization of advanced technology across enterprise IT, consulting, and autonomous driving fields.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechQuantum Computing
Daisuke Tanaka(Chief Executive Officer)
Co-investorsUTEC
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Waseda University Ventures made?
- Waseda University Ventures has 29 tracked investments.
- What stage does Waseda University Ventures invest at?
- Waseda University Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does Waseda University Ventures focus on?
- Waseda University Ventures focuses on Biotech, Deep Tech, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors, Sports Tech.
- Where is Waseda University Ventures located?
- Waseda University Ventures is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
- Does Waseda University Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Waseda University Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does Waseda University Ventures co-invest with?
- Waseda University Ventures most often shares deals with Advance Venture Partners, Angel Bridge Co.,Ltd., Phoenix Venture Partners, among 31 tracked co-investors.
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