Vertex Ventures Japan (Managing Partner: Takashi Tomita) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kohei Terada, President of Warehouse TERRADA and Vice Chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (KEIZAI DOYUKAI), as Senior Advisor.

Mr. Terada began his career at Mitsubishi Corporation before founding Bit-isle Inc., a pioneer in Japan’s IT infrastructure sector. Under his leadership, Bit-isle was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and later successfully executed a large-scale tender offer by U.S.-based Equinix. His entrepreneurial achievements have become a model for startup growth in Japan.

At his current role with Warehouse TERRADA, Mr. Terada has gone beyond the traditional scope of asset preservation to spearhead initiatives at the intersection of art, business, and urban regeneration. He launched the “Creation Camp TENNOZ” program to support startups, building a regional innovation ecosystem aligned with Vertex Ventures Japan’s mission to nurture next-generation industry leaders from Japan.

As Vice Chairman of Keizai Doyukai, Mr. Terada has also contributed to national economic revitalization through policy advocacy in areas such as digital transformation, SME empowerment, and the enhancement of human capital and talent mobility.

By welcoming Mr. Terada as Senior Advisor, Vertex Ventures Japan has significantly strengthened its capacity to support Japanese startups in scaling to the global stage. His combined experience as a founder, policymaker, and public-private bridge-builder will enable Vertex Ventures Japan to integrate “institutional execution capability” with “startup creativity,” generating new value for innovation originating from Japan.

Vertex Ventures Japan will continue to harness global capital and expertise to cultivate Japan-born market leaders and help shape a resilient and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

---

**About Vertex Ventures Japan**   
Vertex Ventures Japan is a member of the Vertex Holdings network of venture capital funds. As a strategic bridge between global capital and Japanese innovation, the firm supports Japan-based startups in accessing international markets and aims to position Japan as a hub for global innovation.

The Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I targets high-growth sectors such as deep tech, artificial intelligence, digital transformation (DX), and the creator economy. Through partnerships across Southeast Asia, India, the U.S., Israel, and China, VVJ provides growth capital, overseas expansion support, and strategic collaboration opportunities with global corporations.

Vertex Ventures Japan welcomes additional partners to join in accelerating the emergence of global leaders from Japan.

**Contact**

Vertex Ventures Japan  
Official Website: [www.vertexventures.jp](http://www.vertexventures.jp)  
Email: contact@vertexventures.jp

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Vertex Ventures Japan Appoints Kohei Terada as Senior Advisor

#### ***A Step Towards Japan Becoming a Global Startup Hub, Investing in the Next Generation of Champions***

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**Singapore, March 21, 2025** – Vertex Ventures Japan (hereinafter "VVJ") is pleased to announce the completion of the first closing of its inaugural fund, Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I (“VVJFI”), targeting JPY 10 Billion. This milestone was achieved with the participation of LP investors representing key sectors across industry, government, and academia, with the support of government institutions. VVJ will commence investments to foster Japan’s next generation of global champions.

VVJ has strengthened its foundation to enable Japanese startups to access major global markets and accelerate their growth by welcoming Vertex Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, as its anchor investor.

Alongside launching its investment activities, VVJ has also strengthened their leadership team with two seasoned industry experts to support the creation of global leaders from Japan by connecting Japanese startups with global innovation hubs and enhancing access to capital, strategic partnerships, and business opportunities.

**A Step Towards Creating Global Leaders from Japan**

VVJ is committed to facilitating strategic partnerships between Japanese startups and key global market leaders, driving innovation and strengthening competitiveness.

For startups to scale successfully, access to capital alone is not enough. Collaboration with global market leaders through partnerships for market entry, technology integration, and business expansion is essential. The Vertex network of funds has leveraged its global investment network and deep understanding of emerging markets to nurture global leaders, including:

- **Grab** – Southeast Asian super-platform
- **Waze** – Israel-based navigation app acquired by Google
- **Geek+** – Leading AI-driven logistics robotics company
- **Horizon Robotics** – Chinese autonomous driving technology company

  ` `

VVJ utilizes Vertex Group’s global investment network and extensive industry connections to provide Japanese startups with direct access to extensive corporate networks.

Through the Vertex global platform, Japanese startups can access global innovation hubs in Southeast Asia, India, the US, Israel, and China to secure growth capital and expand business opportunities through collaborations with industry leaders.

**Strengthening our Leadership Team – Investment Strategy Driven by Industry Experts**

VVJ has strengthened its leadership team with two seasoned industry experts to drive its investment strategy:

- **Naonori Kurokawa** – A seasoned deep-tech investor with over 15 years of experience, has been appointed General Partner (GP).
- **Akiko Kihara** – A founding member of ZOZO, Kihara contributed to growing the company into a publicly listed firm with a market capitalization of JPY 1 Trillion and has joined the team as a Venture Partner.

With this addition, VVJ will provide hands-on support to next-generation startups as a partner in capital allocation, business strategy, and market expansion.

**Key Leadership Members**

**Managing Partner – Takashi Tomita **  
A bridge between global capital and the Japanese market, Tomita spearheads VVJ’s growth strategy, helping startups scale globally. Leveraging his experience at global financial institutions, he facilitates market entry and business expansion while maximizing the Vertex network’s resources to accelerate Japanese innovation on a global scale.

**Chairman of Investment Committee – Chua Kee Lock**  
Kee Lock is the CEO of Vertex Holdings, the current Managing Partner of Vertex Ventures SEA & India, as well as Chairman of Vertex Growth Fund. He holds an M.Sc. degree from Stanford University and has extensive investment management experience. Prior to this, he held senior positions at Biosensors International Group, Ltd., Walden International, NatSteel Ltd., and Intraco Ltd. He co-founded MediaRing, which was later listed on the Singapore Exchange. At VVJ, he provides strategic guidance on growth markets, deep tech, fintech, mobility, and AI.

**Vice Chairman of Investment Committee – Chua Taik Him**  
Former Deputy Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Singapore International Enterprise Agency (Enterprise Singapore), Taik Him played a pivotal role in establishing Singapore’s startup ecosystem in the 2000s. He specializes in building enterprise ecosystems that connect government agencies, global investors, and industry leaders. At VVJ, he supports Japanese startups in forming strategic alliances with key global players to ensure sustainable growth.

**General Partner – Naonori Kurokawa**  
A leading deep-tech venture capitalist in Japan, Kurokawa has over 15 years of experience investing in deep-tech startups and supporting their business expansion. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and has a research background at Ricoh and Samsung Electronics. At ARCH Venture Partners, he gained expertise in translating technological innovations into market competitiveness.

His past investment portfolio includes:

- Microwave Chemical (Tokyo Stock Exchange: GRT 9227)
- 908 Devices Inc (Nasdaq: MASS)
- FLOSFIA

His areas of expertise span across chemicals, semiconductors, analytical equipment, telecommunications, optics, nanotechnology, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. As a General Partner at VVJ, he will work closely with startups to enhance their competitiveness and accelerate global expansion.

**Venture Partner – Akiko Kihara**  
A founding member of ZOZO (TSE: 3092), Kihara played a key role in leading the company to an IPO and achieving a market capitalization of JPY 1 Trillion. She has extensive experience in business strategy, corporate development, and scaling operations.

She led the launch of ZOZOTOWN, expanding its merchant partnerships and strengthening its e-commerce platform. As an Executive Director, she spearheaded business strategy and organizational management, establishing ZOZO as a dominant force in Japan’s e-commerce market.

At VVJ, Kihara will support startup business development, global expansion, and scale-up strategies, bringing new perspectives to help portfolio companies gain a competitive edge.

---

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**About Vertex Ventures Japan**  
As part of the Vertex network, VVJ is a venture capital firm dedicated to connecting Japanese startups with the global market.

Leveraging on Vertex’s global network, VVJ supports the growth of Japanese startups by serving as a "bridge" between global capital and Japan’s technological innovation. This initiative represents a crucial step in establishing Japan as a key global innovation hub.  
  
VVJFI 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.

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](https://www.vertexholdings.com/)

 

**For Media Enquiries**  
  
Vertex Ventures Japan  
[contact@vertexventures.jp](mailto:contact@vertexventures.jp)  
  
Bernice Ong, Vertex Holdings  
[communications@vertexholdings.com](mailto:communications@vertexholdings.com)  
  
H/Advisors Klareco on behalf of Vertex Holdings  
[klareco-vertex@h-advisors.global](mailto:klareco-vertex@h-advisors.global)

Vertex Ventures Japan Announces First Closing and Strengthens Leadership Team

Weak yen & corporate divestments to drive foreign investments into Japan

Weak yen and corporate divestments to drive foreign investments into Japan

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

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UTokyo IPC Invests in Vertex Ventures Japan Fund I to Accelerate University Startups’ Global Expansion