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Yasuda Enterprise Development

Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo

Description

Yasuda Enterprise Development is a venerable venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1980. As one of Japan's earliest and most established VC players, the firm boasts over four decades of experience in identifying and nurturing innovative startups. Its investment mandate is notably broad, spanning from seed-stage companies to later-stage ventures, reflecting a comprehensive approach to supporting entrepreneurial growth across various development phases.

The firm's investment strategy is sector-agnostic to a degree, but it shows a clear preference for technology-driven sectors. Key areas of focus include information technology, biotechnology, and environmental technology, encompassing a wide range of sub-sectors like software, IT services, and healthcare. While primarily rooted in Japan, Yasuda Enterprise Development also actively seeks opportunities in the United States and other international markets, demonstrating a global outlook in its pursuit of high-potential companies.

Yasuda Enterprise Development manages significant capital, with total assets under management (AUM) reaching approximately US$196 million (¥30 billion) as of early 2024. This substantial capital base is deployed through various funds, including its recently established Yasuda Enterprise Development No. 6 Investment Limited Partnership, which closed with ¥15 billion (approximately US$98 million). The firm typically provides initial investments ranging from US$650,000 to US$6.5 million, positioning itself to support companies from their nascent stages through significant growth milestones. Its long-standing presence and strategic investments underscore its commitment to fostering innovation and contributing to industrial development both domestically and abroad.

Investor Profile

Yasuda Enterprise Development has backed more than 35 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 1 rounds, about 3% of its total and boasts 18 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series Unknown, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Japan, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Medical, Health Care.
  • Typical check size: $650K – $6.5M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (34%)
  • Series Unknown (26%)
  • Series C (20%)
  • Series D (11%)
  • Series A (3%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Series F (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (66%)
  • Japan (20%)
  • United Kingdom (9%)
  • Switzerland (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Medical
  • Health Care
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics
  • Information Technology
  • Biopharma
  • Semiconductor
  • Hardware
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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 Yasuda Enterprise Development frequently co-invest with?

Japan Asia Investment
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 5
Sprout Group
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
HealthCare Ventures
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 5
AB
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
Skyline Ventures
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 3
JAFCO
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 3
NV
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 3
Rho Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
Vertex Management
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 3
Flagship Pioneering
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 5

What are some of recent deals done by Yasuda Enterprise Development?

Ubiquisys

Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Ubiquisys is a developer of multimode LTE, 3G and Wi-Fi small cells for mobile operators and consumers.

Communication HardwareMobileTelecommunications
Series UnknownAug 15, 2012
Amount Raised: $19,000,000
Topica Pharmaceuticals

Palo Alto, California, United States

TOPICA Pharmaceuticals is a clinical research stage company focused on developing topical treatment for fungal infections of the nail.

BiotechnologyMedical DevicePharmaceutical
Series BOct 18, 2011
Amount Raised: $27,000,000
Synageva BioPharma

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Synageva, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes novel, next generation and follow on protein therapeutics.

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series UnknownMar 21, 2011
Amount Raised: $25,000,000
Ubiquisys

Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Ubiquisys is a developer of multimode LTE, 3G and Wi-Fi small cells for mobile operators and consumers.

Communication HardwareMobileTelecommunications
Series UnknownJul 12, 2010
Amount Raised: $9,000,000
SymBio Pharmaceuticals

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

SymBio Pharmaceuticals develops therapeutic products for cancer, hematology, and autoimmune diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series UnknownDec 11, 2009
Amount Raised: $24,704,501
Synageva BioPharma

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Synageva, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes novel, next generation and follow on protein therapeutics.

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series FOct 22, 2009
Amount Raised: $12,000,000
Kovio

San Jose, California, United States

Kovio is a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures printed silicon products.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)ConsultingElectronicsManufacturingSemiconductor
Series EJul 13, 2009
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
ZettaCore

Englewood, Colorado, United States

ZettaCore, pioneering the field of molecular electronics, is focused on developing molecular materials for the electronics industry.

ElectronicsEnergyNanotechnology
Series UnknownMay 11, 2009
Amount Raised: $21,000,000
Maneo

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Maneo is a first Social Lending Marketplace in Japan.

FinanceMarketplaceSocial
Series UnknownDec 17, 2008
Amount Raised: $2,131,675
Osprey Pharmaceuticals USA

San Francisco, California, United States

Osprey Pharmaceuticals USA develops novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases.

BiotechnologyMedicalPharmaceutical
Series ASep 3, 2008
Amount Raised: $11,000,000