ITOCHU Technology Ventures
Description
ITOCHU Technology Ventures (ITV) is the venture capital arm of ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan's largest trading companies and a Fortune Global 500 entity. Established in 2000, ITV operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary, strategically investing in promising information technology companies. Its primary objective is to identify and nurture innovative startups that can benefit from ITOCHU's extensive global network and diverse business resources, fostering both financial returns and strategic synergies for the parent corporation.
ITV maintains a broad investment mandate, targeting companies across various stages, from Seed and Early-stage ventures to Mid and Late-stage growth companies. While headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, ITV's investment scope is global, with a particular focus on the vibrant technology ecosystems in Japan, the United States, and other parts of Asia. The firm actively seeks opportunities in high-growth sectors such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), FinTech, Media, Entertainment, and Healthcare.
The firm's portfolio reflects its multi-stage and multi-geography approach, featuring investments in notable companies like SmartHR, Money Forward, and Sansan, all prominent Japanese tech successes. More recently, ITV participated in a significant Series B round for Metagenomi, a US-based genetic medicines company, which raised a total of $175 million. This participation underscores ITV's capacity to engage in substantial funding rounds and its commitment to global innovation. ITV typically writes first checks ranging from approximately $500,000 for early-stage opportunities up to $15,000,000 for more mature growth-stage companies, demonstrating flexibility in its capital deployment.
By combining the agility of a venture capital firm with the robust backing and strategic insights of a global conglomerate, ITOCHU Technology Ventures positions itself as a valuable partner for technology startups. It not only provides capital but also aims to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies through strategic partnerships and market access facilitated by ITOCHU Corporation's vast operational footprint.
Investor Profile
ITOCHU Technology Ventures has backed more than 34 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 10 rounds, about 29% of its total and boasts 23 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Japan, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Typical check size: $500K – $15M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (35%)
- Seed (26%)
- Series B (15%)
- Series Unknown (9%)
- Series D (9%)
- Series F (3%)
- Pre Seed (3%)
Country Focus
- Japan (68%)
- United States (32%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Internet Of Things
- Robotics
- Health Care
- Medical
- Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Human Resources
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