AET Fund

AET Fund, formally known as Avex Entertainment Technology Fund, is a venture capital arm established in 2017 through a strategic partnership between Avex Inc., a leading Japanese entertainment conglomerate, and Digital Garage, Inc., a prominent Japanese internet company. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the fund is dedicated to fostering innovation at the intersection of entertainment and technology. Its primary objective is to identify and invest in promising startups that are developing disruptive technologies and services across various entertainment sectors, including music, video, animation, gaming, virtual/augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. This unique positioning allows AET Fund to leverage Avex's extensive industry expertise and network, alongside Digital Garage's technological insights, to support its portfolio companies.

The fund primarily targets early to mid-stage startups, typically from Seed to Series B rounds, seeking to provide not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to market opportunities. With an initial fund size of approximately 5 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent to around $45 million USD at its inception), AET Fund aims to make impactful investments that can reshape the future of entertainment. While specific check sizes can vary based on the stage and needs of the startup, typical initial investments generally range from $200,000 to $2,000,000. This range allows them to support a diverse portfolio of companies, from nascent ideas requiring initial seed capital to more developed ventures ready for significant growth.

AET Fund's investment thesis emphasizes technologies that enhance content creation, distribution, and consumption, as well as those that create new forms of interactive entertainment experiences. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting ventures that can either integrate with Avex's existing business lines or open up entirely new revenue streams within the entertainment ecosystem. By focusing on both technological innovation and market potential within the entertainment industry, AET Fund positions itself as a key player in nurturing the next generation of entertainment-tech leaders in Japan and beyond.