Weak yen & corporate divestments to drive foreign investments into Japan

Weak yen and corporate divestments to drive foreign investments into Japan

**Singapore, May 17, 2024** – Vertex Ventures Japan (“VVJ”), is pleased to announce the launch of its JPY 10B inaugural fund, Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I (“VVJFI” or “The Fund”), anchored by Vertex Holdings.

VVJFI will focus on investing in leading Japanese startups with high growth potential that have resilient underlying growth drivers, led by talented management teams and will continue to leverage Vertex’s global network of venture capital funds.

Riding on the strong support from the Japanese government and the country’s technological prowess, VVJ was established to tap on early-stage investment opportunities in Japan. The establishment of VVJ fund models after the success of its sister funds based in key innovation hubs around the world – namely China, Israel, Southeast Asia & India, and the United States. These early-stage funds are separately and independently managed by their respective General Partners, and focuses on different investment areas in their geographic regions. As a member of the Vertex global network of venture capital funds, VVJ will collaborate with the various partners and teams across the network.

On May 16, 2024, at the University of Tokyo (“UTokyo”), Vertex Holdings announced a joint statement that it will work with the UTokyo and the UTokyo IPC in the field of startup investment, and the three parties will promote human resource development and research cooperation to develop the startup ecosystems of Japan and Singapore.

The UTokyo is the center of innovation and deep tech in Japan, which has produced many excellent research and startups. Vertex Group is one of the world's leading venture capital players that created many unicorns around the world. VVJ has high hopes that the collaboration between the three companies will drive innovation partnerships between Japan and Singapore.

In addition, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has positioned this initiative as a central initiative of the “Japan-Singapore Co-Creation Platform”, which the two countries agreed to establish at the Japan-Singapore Public-Private Economic Dialogue held on April 17, 2024. Vertex Ventures Japan is confident that by working closely with the METI, it will become a platform that promotes cross-border collaboration between industry, academia and government, fostering innovation and technological advancement, and providing access to global markets.

**Mr Chua Kee Lock, CEO of Vertex Holdings**, said: “Vertex Ventures Japan is the seventh of our network partnerships. The startup ecosystem in Japan is a vibrant and dynamic one which presents many opportunities for growth. We believe in the strong market potential of technology companies in Japan such as in the areas of Deeptech, Digital Transformation (DX), AI and the creator economy. Vertex Ventures Japan inaugural fund will be well placed to capture the opportunities ahead.”

Mr Chua added: “With the leadership of Takashi Tomita and Tomohiro Miyasaka, both seasoned professionals, we are confident in our ability to source and identify the next era of champions with global aspirations in Japan. Leveraging on our global network of venture capital funds, Vertex Ventures Japan is well-positioned to support the development of Japan’s innovation ecosystem.”

VVJ will be led by Managing Partner Takashi Tomita and General Partner Tomohiro Miyasaka. Mr Tomita and Mr Miyasaka will be primarily responsible for sourcing new investment opportunities, developing and managing relationships with new and existing sources of capital, and directing strategic growth efforts.

Mr. Chua Kee Lock will also be the Chairman of Vertex Ventures Japan Investment Committee, with Mr. Chua Taik Him joining him as the Vice-Chairman.

Mr Takashi Tomita, Managing Partner of Vertex Ventures Japan, said: “We are proud to be part of the global Vertex family of venture capital funds. We believe this will set us apart in Japan, as it will give us both the market depth and global scale required to attract and support Japanese entrepreneurs in their overseas funding and growth ambitions. Additionally, Japan is the third largest technology country in the world for international patent applications. By leveraging on the unique strengths of Japanese companies and tapping into Vertex’s global network of investor-operator experiences, we believe Japanese startups can potentially be the next global champions.”

Mr Tomita added: “VVJ aspires to be an innovation platform for cross-border collaborations between industry, government, and academia players. The innovation platform aims to facilitate collaborations between companies, universities, the central government of Japan and local governments in Japan to accelerate the growth of startups and create the next generation of industry champions.”

**About Vertex Ventures Japan**

Vertex Ventures Japan (VVJ) is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting the growth of Japanese startups and fostering the next generation of industry leaders and unicorns. As part of the global Vertex network, VVJ benefits from the strategic support and access to a global network of venture capital partnerships.

VVJ operates independently with a focus on early-stage investments in Japanese startups. With a team experienced in both operations and investments, VVJ actively connects Japanese companies with global business opportunities and investor funds, contributing to the development of the Japan ecosystem.

For more information, please visit our Vertex Ventures Japan website: <https://www.vertexventures.jp/>

**About Vertex Holdings**

Vertex Holdings is a Singapore-based venture capital investment holding company with AUM of over USD 6B. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings that provides anchor funding and operational support to a global platform of venture capital funds in key innovation hubs around the world.

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.

The Vertex family of funds invests in early-stage technology opportunities through Vertex Ventures, early stage healthcare opportunities through Vertex Ventures HC, and growth stage opportunities through Vertex Growth. Each Vertex fund operates independently, with separate local teams that raise and manage their respective funds.

The Vertex global network of venture capital funds has over 300 active portfolio companies today, and a track record of growing disruptive, transformational companies into global champions.

For more information, please visit our Vertex Holdings website: <https://www.vertexholdings.com>

Vertex Ventures Japan Launches Inaugural JPY 10B Fund

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Recently, Minister Saito visited Singapore and introduced the importance of collaboration in the field of innovation that leverages the strengths of both countries, the role that this platform will play in creating global startups through collaboration between universities and research institutes, and future initiatives.

In addition, a joint statement was issued regarding collaboration in the field of startup investment between the University of Tokyo, the University of Tokyo IPC, and Vertex Holdings, which will be the core initiatives of the Japan-Singapore Co-Creation Platform, and cooperation for collaboration and development of the startup ecosystems of both countries.

Vertex Holdings is an anchor investor in Vertex Ventures Japan. 

For more information, please read the full Press Release here: <https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2024/06/20240606001/20240606001.html>

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Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito visits Singapore