# Top 50 Sports Startup Investors in Japan in June 2026 ## Genesia Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 4 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Health Care Genesia Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on seed/early stage startups in Japan and Southeast Asia. Since it's inception in Dec 2016, Genesia Ventures has invested in over 90 companies in Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the US. Genesia Ventures invests in various sectors: SaaS, marketplace, Media, Finance, Insurance,RealEstate, Healthcare, Medical, Travel, Education, Manufacturing, Construction, HR, Agriculture, Sports, Retail, Entertainment, etc. ## W ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan - Relevant deals: 4 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Information Technology, Content, Internet W Ventures is a Berlin based Venture Design and Venture Capital company that offers a complete framework for the acceleration of digital business ideas. ## Mizuho Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 4 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Internet Mizuho is the venture capital firm affiliated to Mizuho Bank, the second-largest Japanese bank in terms of assets. The firm has headquarters in Tokyo.The firm has ¥49.6 billion JPY under management, focusing on information technology and biotechnology investments. Over 600 Mizuho companies have gone public. According to Nikkei, Mizuho is thefifth-largest venture capital firm in Japan.Mizuho Capital was formed in 2002 by the merger of Fujigin Capital, Tokyo Venture Capital and IBJ Investment. Three firms were subsidiaries of Fuji Bank, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank and the Industrial Bank of Japan respectively. ## Mitsubishi UFJ Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Health Care Mitsubishi UFJ Capital is a venture capital firm focusing on life science, ICT, and high technology investments. ## Akatsuki Games Inc. - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Corporate Round - Focus: Media and Entertainment, Gaming, Content Akatsuki offers MobileSocialGame services. They utilize cutting edge technology and ideas to realize and deliver their ambitions to their users. They provide new value to society through the services we manage daily. Providing services throughout the world that brighten up everyone's daily lives. ## Money Forward Venture Partners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence Money Forward Venture Partners operates HIRAC FUND, a seed fund specializing in seed and early-stage startups. ## Venture United - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Travel, Content Venture United is a provider of venture capital for entrepreneurs, especially for internet-related businesses. ## GMO VenturePartners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Financial Services, FinTech, Software An investment that restructures the value and quality.Supplying big capital is not an essential value of our firm.We have a strong attitude to input and drive critical thinking behind a new startup.After the problem is clarified and solution become established in the world,people could not imagine the society without that solution.An investment that innovates this world.We will become a real partner to execute the strategy together.INVENTION OF THE ESSENCE ----we will keep on doing it. ## ANRI - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Health Care, Information Technology ANRI is a Japanese venture capital firm that mainly invests in seed and early-stage startups. ## Yoshinori Fukushima - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A - Focus: Internet, Software, Marketing Yoshinori Fukushima - CEO @ LayerX ## BITKRAFT Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Gaming, Video Games, Blockchain We provide early- and mid-stage venture capital and expertise for extraordinary founders in gaming and emerging technology. ## Makoto Takano - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Content, Sports, Apps Makoto Takano is CEO of atomixmedia, inc., publisher and editor-in-chief of Forbes Japan and Rolling Stone Japan since June, 2014. Prior to joining Atomixmedia, Inc., he was Managing Director and President of PIMCO Japan Ltd. Before joining PIMCO in 2001, he was head of marketing at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Makoto's prior experiencealso includes work at Daiwa Securities where he was head of the strategists team at Daiwa Institute of Research. He has published extensively on the capital markets. In 1992, he was awarded Securities Analysts Journal Prize by the Securities Analyst Association of Japan. He has also given lectures on asset management at Waseda University and Kyoto University. He holds master’s and undergraduate degrees in engineering from Waseda University. Makoto serves as Director of Nippon Finance Association and Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation. ## F Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Service Industry F Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Japan. ## STATION AI - Type: VC Fund - Location: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Drones STATION AI provides a support program at "PRE-STATION Ai". ## Kevin Chou - Type: Angel - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel - Focus: Gaming, Video Games, eSports Kevin Chou is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SuperLayer. He previously worked at Kabam as a Co-Founder and CEO. Kevin Chou attended UC Berkeley, Haas Business School. ## MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE Venture Capital (MSIVC) - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Health Care MSIVC is a venture capital firm that invests in Japanese and global startups scaling to IPO. It focuses on startups in verticals of Fintech, SaaS, Healthcare, AI, E-Commerce, Foodtech, and Environment etc. ## Yu Akasaka - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Food and Beverage, Apps During Hosei University student, and intern at Hakuhodo C & D. After joining the Image-net, I do media monetization of EC site as a media planner. Then, new business, engaged in Alliance. Launched a crowdsourcing site "MILLION DESIGNS" of design in the individual, sold to Ransazu Corporation. Established the Eureka Co., Ltd., wasappointed Representative Director CEO. ## STRIVE - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Internet, E-Commerce STRIVE focuses on investing in early-stage (Seed to Series A) internet and mobile companies. It seeks out companies in Japan, Southeast Asia, and India with top-notch management teams and strong market potential. It is not tied to strategic investments for GREE Inc. and leverages its pan-Asia expertise for guiding its portfolio in an engaged,hands-on role. ## Mamoru Taniya - Type: Angel - Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Apps, Content, FinTech After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he joined Solomon Brothers, where he became the youngest managing director in Asia, where he was in charge of Asian investment. After that, he created one of the largest independent Asuka assets. He also launched Japan's first independent online life insurance company,LifeNet Life Insurance, and inspired Japan's first International. ## Susquehanna International Group - Type: VC Fund - Location: Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, United States - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Series A, Series B, Seed - Focus: Software, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Discover Susquehanna, a global quantitative trading firm built on a rigorous, analytical foundation in financial markets. ## Kevin Lin - Type: Angel - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed - Focus: Gaming, Information Technology, Video Games Kevin Lin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Metatheory. He previously worked at Everyday Ventures as an Owner and Manager. Kevin Lin attended Yale University. ## Hiroaki Kitano - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Debt Financing - Focus: Health Care, Fitness, Medical Hiroaki Kitano is the SVP at Softbank Mobile. He attended Waseda University. ## Ayataro Nakagawa - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Internet, Software, Content 2011 At university, participated in the founding period as a director of Atcole Co., Ltd., and started the web service experience.2012 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd., which operates a curation platform for women "MERY" .2014 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd. Sold to DeNA 2015 Jointly established Tokyo Founders Fund as an angel investor and startedinvesting in startups in Japan and overseas 2019 Appointed outside director of FIREBUG Co., Ltd. ## Ishikawa Ryo - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Sports, Internet Ishikawa Ryo ## Kentaro Uryu - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Beauty, Sports, Internet Kentaro Uryu - Legal advisor @ Adot ## Kensuke Furukawa - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, SNS, Software Kensuke Furukawa was born in June 2, 1981. He graduated Waseda University majoring Political Science and Economics, and in 2000, he launched "Milkcafe", a student community, which has grown to a site with 10 million PV per month. In 2004, he became the CEO of Media Clip, which operates a rental bulletin board service "ShitarabaBBS". After that year, he had transfer "Shitaraba BBS" to Livedoor, and took charge of starting up the Consumer Generated Media sector. In 2006, he joined Recruit, and took charge of starting up a new business at Business development sector. In June of 2009, he left Recruit, and became the CEO of nanapi （formerly Rocket Start), which operates the How-to Site "nanapi". ## Hidetoshi Takano - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Content Joined Intelligence in 1999. Established Key Players Inc. in 2005. Consultation with more than 3,000 managers and career counseling for more than 10,000 individuals. In addition, we have invested in more than 55 outside directors, advisors and angels in Silicon Valley and Bangladesh in Japan. Over 100 lectures on careers, entrepreneurship andstartups. ## Dai Tamesue - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Angel, Seed, Pre-Seed - Focus: Apps, Sports, Health Care Dai Tamesue is the Chief Marketing Officer of Miekuru. ## ANOBAKA - Type: VC Fund - Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence ANOBAKA is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm with rich group resources to add value to seed-stage startups. ANOBAKA actively invests in and supports startups aiming to be a global leader in the innovative Internet business and promising to greatly grow up in the future. ANOBAKA's investment focuses on fledgling seed-stage startups. Inaddition to investment financing, ANOBAKA provides founders with a variety of business support such as development consulting by our engineers, sales support, and international marketing support. ## Nobuhiro Ariyasu - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A - Focus: Finance, Content, Internet Nobuhiro Ariyasu is the CEO at Coach United. ## Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Debt Financing, Series B - Focus: Financial Services, Finance, Health Care Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank is an asset management firm and bank in Japan. ## Yuto Nagatomo - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: SNS, Video, Beauty Yuto Nagatomo - President, CEO, and Founder @ Cuore Co., Ltd. ## Japan Finance Corporation - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Debt Financing, Seed - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence Japan Finance provides a diversified portfolio of financial services to the small and medium enterprise sector. ## NOW Japan - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Content, Marketing, Information Technology Next One for the World. ## Incubate Fund - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, E-Commerce Incubate Fund is an independent early-stage venture capital that specializes in providing capital to technology startups at the seed stage. The firm built a portfolio of over 300 companies in Asia, taking 12 companies to public and 20 companies to M&A exit since 2010. ## Nissay Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Health Care, Information Technology, Medical Nissay Capital is a venture capital Company specializing in seed, start-up, growth capital, middle stage, and later stage investment. ## NOBUNAGA Capital Village - Type: VC Fund - Location: Gifu, Gifu, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B - Focus: Manufacturing, Content, Robotics NOBUNAGA Capital Village is a venture capital firm that seeks investment in early-stage and later-stage companies. ## Zeroichi Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Toranomon, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A - Focus: Apps, Music, Sales Zeroichi Capital is an independent venture capital firm that invest/R&D startups. Zeroichi Capital assists in a variety of areas, including pre-startup consultation, ideation, business plan planning, establishment procedures, teaming up, and financing, with the goal of reaching the Series A round as soon as possible and putting you on agrowth trajectory beyond that. ## Saison Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Software, Content, Finance Saison Ventures is investment arm of Credit Saison. ## Yasuyuki Kin - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed - Focus: Media and Entertainment, Recruiting, Career Planning Yasuyuki Kin ## Daiwa Corporate Investment - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Series A, Seed - Focus: Software, Task Management, Internet Daiwa Corporate Investment is a private investment firm of Daiwa Securities Group that has been engaged in overseas VC investments by taking advantage of an extensive business network in Japan and foreign countries, long experience and professional knowledge, and by supporting the growth of a number of overseas portfolio companies and their stockexchange listings. ## Tomohito Ebine - Type: Angel - Location: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A - Focus: Consulting, SaaS, Home Services Tomohito Ebine is non-executive Director at Owls Co., Ltd. ## XTech Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence XTech Ventures aims to achieve dramatic growth for investee companies by supporting entrepreneurship, multifaceted management support, and IPO support for the excellent middle class who are enthusiastic about entrepreneurship. ## Nagoya Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation - Type: VC Fund - Location: Nakamura, Nagano, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Health Care, Video, Drones Nagoya Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation Co. Ltd. operates as a venture capital company. The Company provides small businesses investments, medium size businesses investments, and other businesses. Nagoya Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation serves customers throughout Japan. ## Shizen Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Pre-Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Apps, Video, Fitness a privately run venture capital fund established by former business owners. We support challenging initiatives for Japan. ## Japan startup support Association - Type: VC Fund - Location: Ikeda, Osaka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Health Care, Task Management Japan startup support Association is a management support association specialized for startup companies. ## Yuki Sato - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Sports, Internet, Recruiting Engineer since 10 years old. Electronics, Mechanical, Web, iOS Android ## Dai-ichi Kangyo Credit Cooperative - Type: VC Fund - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Corporate Round - Focus: Content, Task Management, E-Learning Dai-ichi Kangyo Credit Cooperative is the company research and investing information. ## Murakami Hiroki - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Sports, Internet Murakami Hiroki ## Spiral Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Singapore, Central Region, Singapore - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: E-Commerce, Internet, Information Technology Our former entity “IMJ Investment Partners” was established in 2012 by IMJ Corporation (“IMJ”), a major digital marketing company, as an independent venture capital subsidiary in Japan. After IMJ was acquired by Culture Convenience Club (“CCC”) in 2013, we continued our investment activities independently, and eventually relocated our office toSingapore to change our strategy and start a venture capital fund for the Southeast Asia market. In 2015, we established the Japan office and started a venture capital fund for the Japanese market.In tandem with the expansion of our business, we left the CCC Group, changed our name to “Spiral Ventures” in 2017, and made a fresh start as an independent venture capital firm.taken from https://spiral-ventures.com/en/group-info/