Nomura Holdings

Nomura Holdings, a prominent global financial services group headquartered in Japan, actively participates in the venture capital landscape primarily through its dedicated corporate venture capital arm, Nomura Strategic Investments Co., Ltd. (NSI). Established in 2018, NSI was initially capitalized with a significant commitment of JPY 10 billion, equivalent to approximately $90 million at its inception. This strategic initiative underscores Nomura's commitment to identifying and fostering innovation within the financial technology sector and beyond.

NSI's investment mandate is broad, focusing on emerging technologies that have the potential to disrupt or enhance traditional financial services. Key areas of interest include fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other innovative digital solutions. The firm typically targets early to growth-stage companies, with a preference for participating in Series A through Series C funding rounds. While maintaining a global outlook, NSI concentrates its investment activities across key markets such as Japan, the United States, and Europe, seeking out companies that align with Nomura's long-term strategic objectives.

The typical first check size for Nomura Strategic Investments generally ranges from approximately $5 million to $25 million, reflecting their engagement in significant early to mid-stage rounds. Illustrative investments include NSI leading a $15 million Series A round for blockchain infrastructure firm Allinfra in 2020, demonstrating their capacity to anchor substantial early-stage deals. Furthermore, Nomura has shown a strong commitment to specific verticals, notably pledging up to $100 million for investments in digital asset companies, highlighting their strategic focus on the evolving cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem.

Through NSI, Nomura Holdings aims not only for financial returns but also for strategic alignment, seeking to leverage new technologies and business models to enhance its core investment banking, asset management, and retail brokerage operations. This approach allows Nomura to stay at the forefront of financial innovation, fostering partnerships and gaining insights into the future of finance.