
Mitsui Global Investment
Description
Mitsui & Co. Global Investment (MGI) is the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the world's largest and most diversified trading and investment companies, headquartered in Japan. While its parent company is based in Tokyo, MGI maintains a significant presence in the United States, with an office in Menlo Park, California, serving as a key hub for its North American investment activities. MGI focuses on identifying and investing in innovative early to growth-stage companies across various strategic sectors, aiming to leverage Mitsui's vast global network and business expertise to foster portfolio company growth.
MGI's investment thesis is deeply rooted in supporting technological advancements and business models that align with Mitsui's long-term strategic interests. The fund primarily targets companies in areas such as Information Technology (IT), healthcare, biotechnology, advanced materials, and clean energy. Beyond capital, MGI provides its portfolio companies with invaluable access to Mitsui's extensive global ecosystem, which includes diverse business units spanning energy, chemicals, machinery, food, infrastructure, and more. This strategic partnership approach helps startups accelerate market entry, expand internationally, and forge critical industry connections.
As a corporate venture fund, MGI's investment strategy often involves both financial returns and strategic synergies. The fund typically participates in initial rounds ranging from seed to Series C, with a focus on companies demonstrating strong potential for disruption and scalability. While specific check sizes can vary based on stage and strategic fit, MGI's initial investments generally fall within the range of $500,000 to $10,000,000. Over its operational history, MGI has made over 100 investments globally, demonstrating its active role in the venture ecosystem. The substantial backing from its parent company, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., which reported a net profit of approximately $6.5 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2023, underscores MGI's robust financial capacity and long-term commitment to its portfolio.
MGI plays a crucial role in Mitsui's broader innovation strategy, acting as a window into emerging technologies and market trends. By investing in promising startups, MGI not only aims for financial returns but also seeks to create new business opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Mitsui's existing operations. Its disciplined yet flexible approach allows it to adapt to evolving market dynamics, making it a significant player in the global venture capital landscape, particularly for companies seeking strategic partners with deep industry ties.
Investor Profile
Mitsui Global Investment has backed more than 148 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 21 rounds, about 14% of its total and boasts 59 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series C, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, China, Israel.
- Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Software.
- Typical check size: $500K – $10M.
Stage Focus
- Series C (26%)
- Series B (24%)
- Series A (17%)
- Series Unknown (14%)
- Series D (11%)
- Series E (3%)
- Seed (2%)
- Post Ipo Equity (1%)
- Debt Financing (1%)
- Private Equity (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (73%)
- China (7%)
- Israel (4%)
- Canada (3%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- Japan (3%)
- India (2%)
- Singapore (1%)
- Belgium (1%)
- Indonesia (1%)
Industry Focus
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Software
- Manufacturing
- Mobile
- Medical
- Wireless
- Information Technology
- Security
- Internet
Frequently Asked Questions
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