CVC in Japan: Connecting Startups with Corporate Innovation & Trends
- Erdinc Ekinci
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Japan’s startup ecosystem has quietly but powerfully evolved over the past decade. And at the heart of this shift? Corporate Venture Capital (CVC).
While traditional VCs still play a vital role, Japan now has more CVCs than conventional funds — a sign of how corporate Japan is doubling down on startup collaboration to drive innovation from within.
That’s why I hosted this session with Yasumasa Saito, Manager at the CVC Department of SBI Investment Co., Ltd., to explore how CVCs are reshaping the early-stage startup landscape — and what founders need to know to build strong, strategic relationships with them.
As Managing Director of the Founder Institute in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan — and CEO of Openfor.co — I’ve seen ecosystems evolve in vastly different ways. Japan’s approach to CVC is unique, intentional, and deserves global attention.
Watch the full video
Here are four key takeaways from our conversation — insights that can guide founders, investors, and ecosystem builders alike:
1. CVCs Are Not Just Funding — They’re Strategic Partners
In Japan, CVCs are not passive capital providers. They sit at the intersection of corporate R&D, product teams, and strategic planning, and they invest in startups that can accelerate innovation internally.
“We’re not just calculating ROI,” said Saito. “We look for strategic alignment — startups that bring real synergy to our business.”
This means startups benefit from more than funding:
Access to labs and technical expertise
Support from business development teams
Connections to enterprise clients and infrastructure
It’s a hands-on model of co-creation that can move a startup from concept to commercial readiness much faster than working alone.
2. From Foodtech to Deep Tech — Building Together
Japan’s CVCs are placing bets on sectors with long timelines and high complexity:
Artificial Intelligence & data infrastructure
Climate tech & clean manufacturing
Healthtech, food innovation, and advanced materials
Fusion energy & synthetic biology
SBI Investment alone manages over $740M USD, with more than 1,000 startup investments and 21 CVC funds spanning everything from consumer health to industrial automation.
The approach isn’t just financial — it’s collaborative. Startups and corporates are co-developing technology, running pilots, and solving shared challenges together.
3. Pre-Seed? Pre-Incorporation? Still Welcome
One of the most surprising takeaways from the session: Japanese CVCs are increasingly engaging with idea-stage founders and university researchers — even before a company is legally registered.
“If the vision is strong and the alignment is clear,” said Saito, “we’ll start the relationship early and grow it over time.”
This shows a high degree of flexibility and conviction. For early-stage innovators, especially in technical or research-heavy domains, this opens the door to building long-term support before they even raise a formal round.
Key mindset: relationships before structure, vision before valuation.
4. Long-Term Is a Strength
While some venture markets chase quick returns and fast exits, Japan’s CVC ecosystem is built for the long game. Many funds operate on 10-year timelines, with half the time spent investing and the other half supporting growth.
“Startups solving hard problems need patient capital,” said Saito. “We’re not going anywhere after just two years.”
This means:
More room for technical or regulatory experimentation
Stronger trust-based relationships
Support that extends beyond a single funding cycle
For founders building in deep tech, hard science, or slow-moving industries, this kind of long-term alignment can be a serious advantage.
Final Advice
As the conversation wrapped up, one message stood out clearly: Japan’s CVCs are not just funders — they’re co-builders. For founders looking to grow in Japan or build globally with corporate partners, this model offers a rare opportunity.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
✅ Align your mission — strategic fit matters more than check size
✅ Think long-term — these are not quick-flip investors
✅ Understand each CVC — no two are the same in focus or style
✅ Explore deeper partnership models — equity is just one option
A Big Thank You
Huge thanks to Yasumasa Saito, Manager at SBI Investment, for generously sharing his knowledge and perspective on what’s driving CVC growth in Japan.
This conversation was more than a panel — it was a window into how corporate R&D, startup agility, and long-term thinking are merging to shape the next generation of innovation.
The future of startup funding in Japan? It’s not just about capital — it’s about collaboration.