Venture capital investor Vertex Ventures Japan (VVJ) announced the first close of its inaugural fund, Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I (VVJFI), which targets 10 billion yen (about $67 million) in total commitments.
The first close was backed by limited partners across industry, government, and academia, including government institutions, per the announcement.
The fund was launched in May last year with Singapore-based Vertex Holdings as anchor investor. VVJ did not disclose how much it has raised so far for VVJFI.
VVJ, part of the Vertex global network under Temasek Holdings’ subsidiary Vertex Holdings, will invest in high-growth Japanese startups seeking to expand internationally.
The firm aims to act as a conduit for these businesses to tap into capital, strategic partnerships, and growth opportunities in global tech markets.
VVJ has bolstered its leadership ranks with the appointment of general partner Naonori Kurokawa, a veteran deep-tech investor.
Also joining as a venture partner is Akiko Kihara, a founding member of online fashion retailer ZOZO, who helped grow the company to a market value of 1 trillion yen.
“With this addition, VVJ will provide hands-on support to next-generation startups, acting as a partner in capital allocation, business strategy, and market expansion,” Vertex Ventures Japan said.
The fund will focus on investments in high-growth sectors, including deep tech, AI, digital transformation (DX), and the creator economy.
VVJ collaborates with innovation hubs in Southeast Asia, India, the US, Israel, and China, offering startups growth capital, international expansion support, and partnership opportunities with global enterprises.
The Vertex network, which has helped nurture companies like Southeast Asian super-app Grab and Israel-based navigation app Waze, will offer Japanese startups an international platform for partnership and expansion.
Currently, there are 7 network partnerships, namely: Vertex Ventures China, Vertex Ventures Israel, Vertex Ventures Japan, Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, Vertex Ventures US, Vertex Ventures HC, and Vertex Growth.
