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Innovation Network Corporation of Japan

Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo

Description

Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) is a distinctive public-private partnership established in 2009 by the Japanese government. Its core mission is to bolster Japan's industrial competitiveness and foster innovation by providing comprehensive financial, technological, and management support to next-generation businesses. Operating as a strategic investment fund, INCJ differentiates itself from traditional venture capital firms through its focus on large-scale, long-term projects that are deemed critical for national economic growth and industrial transformation.

INCJ strategically targets growth areas vital to Japan's future, encompassing advanced technologies, critical infrastructure, environmental energy solutions, and healthcare. Its investment activities frequently involve corporate restructuring, strategic spin-offs, and industry consolidation initiatives, all aimed at cultivating new growth engines or revitalizing established sectors. The fund commands a substantial capital base, boasting a total investment capacity of up to 2 trillion yen, which translates to approximately $13.3 billion USD at current exchange rates.

Demonstrating its significant impact on the Japanese industrial landscape, INCJ had invested approximately 1.7 trillion yen (around $11.3 billion USD) across 143 projects as of March 31, 2023. Its diverse portfolio includes major players in pivotal sectors such as semiconductors, display technology, and energy, with notable investments in companies like Renesas Electronics, Japan Display, and JOLED. INCJ's approach extends beyond mere capital injection; it actively participates in the management and provides strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, underscoring its commitment to fostering long-term value and innovation, particularly in capital-intensive industries where it plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and commercialization.

Investor Profile

Innovation Network Corporation of Japan has backed more than 20 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 6 rounds, about 30% of its total and boasts 33 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series C, Series Unknown, Corporate Round rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Japan, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Big Data, Data Management.
  • Typical check size: $50M – $500M.

Stage Focus

  • Series C (30%)
  • Series Unknown (25%)
  • Corporate Round (15%)
  • Series A (10%)
  • Series E (5%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (5%)
  • Series B (5%)
  • Series D (5%)

Country Focus

  • Japan (65%)
  • United States (35%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Big Data
  • Data Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • Cloud Storage
  • Data Center
  • Data Storage
  • Analytics
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Innovation Network Corporation of Japan frequently co-invest with?

DG VENTURES
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 2
SMBC Venture Capital
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 6
NEC Capital Solutions
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 3
Goldman Sachs
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
SBI Investment
Asia, Chiba, Japan, Minato
Co-Investments: 3
Shinsei Corporate Investment
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Otemachi
Co-Investments: 2
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 2
Japan Post Investment
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 3
Eight Roads Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4
Intel Capital
North America, California, United States, Santa Clara
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does Innovation Network Corporation of Japan often collaborate with?

BT
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Innovation Network Corporation of Japan?

Cloudian

San Mateo, California, United States

Cloudian is a file and object storage company that provides hybrid cloud data management software.

Big DataCloud InfrastructureCloud StorageData CenterData ManagementData StorageSoftware
Series UnknownJan 18, 2023
Amount Raised: $60,000,000
UniFa

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

UniFa is the developer of LookMee, an AI and IoT-powered healthcare solution for tracking kindergarteners' physical and mental growth.

Child CareHealth CareMedical
Series CSep 27, 2019
Amount Raised: $32,000,000
Atonarp

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Atonarp combines electronics and data processing algorithms for chemical composition analysis.

AnalyticsEnergyHealth DiagnosticsIndustrialManufacturingMedicalNursing and Residential Care
Series CAug 25, 2019
Amount Raised: $33,000,000
ExaWizards

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Exa Wizards is an AI startup that solves social issues through ideas and technology.

Industrial Engineering
Series UnknownJul 18, 2019
Amount Raised: $14,710,743
JOLED

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

JOLED is a company that researches, develops, manufactures and sells organic EL displays.

Manufacturing
Corporate RoundApr 8, 2019
Amount Raised: $228,804,206
NapaJen

Burlingame, California, United States

NapaJen Pharma is a Pharmaceutical company designed to supply drugs in effective methods to end up active form in the organ.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
Series CJan 9, 2019
Amount Raised: $12,400,000
WHILL

San Carlos, California, United States

WHILL designs and creates personal mobility products for indoor and outdoor applications.

AutomotiveInternet of ThingsMedical DeviceMobileRobotics
Series CSep 17, 2018
Amount Raised: $44,765,763
Cloudian

San Mateo, California, United States

Cloudian is a file and object storage company that provides hybrid cloud data management software.

Big DataCloud InfrastructureCloud StorageData CenterData ManagementData StorageSoftware
Series EAug 29, 2018
Amount Raised: $94,000,000
PeptiStar

Settsu, Osaka, Japan

PeptiStar continually strives to develop novel manufacturing technologies to address needs in every stage of the peptide value chain.

Business Information SystemsDocument ManagementInformation ServicesManufacturing
Corporate RoundApr 18, 2018
Amount Raised: $186,286,291
ExaWizards

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Exa Wizards is an AI startup that solves social issues through ideas and technology.

Industrial Engineering
Series UnknownMar 29, 2018
Amount Raised: $8,357,435