# Top 45 Video Games Startup Investors in Japan in June 2026 ## East Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Internet East Ventures is an early stage venture capital (VC) focused on Southeast Asia, Indonesia & Japan. Success cases include Tokopedia, Traveloka, and Mercari. ## JAFCO - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence Since its founding in 1973, JAFCO has always worked with leading-edge entrepreneurs. The total capital commitments of its investment funds in Japan and overseas have exceeded 1 trillion yen and the number of portfolio IPOs to date has reached over 1,000. In addition to venture investment, JAFCO also carries out buyout investment and commit to thecreations of innovative technologies and services worldwide. As entrepreneurs’ closest partner in bringing their visions to life, JAFCO provides support in areas of HR, marketing/ sales, and back-office operations, in addition to providing financing. ## Z Venture Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Content Z Venture Capital is the venture capital arm of Z Holdings that invests in companies that focuses on the insurance and finance industry. ## 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. ## Deep30 - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kuramae, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Content Deep30 is specializing in AI technologies such as deep learning that consists of individuals connected to the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Lab, which is famous for AI research. ## Koki Yabu - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Angel, Pre-Seed - Focus: Content, Finance, Data Mining Koki Yabu is Founder, President & CEO at Mobcast inc. ## Hironao Kunimitsu - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Virtual Reality, Gaming Hironao Kunimitsu was born in Hyogo, Japan. After graduating from Okayama High School, he spent several years traveling around the world. He visited over 30 countries including the US, China, India, Canada, and others in Central and South America.In 1996 he entered Fudan University in China, and then later went on to study at Santa MonicaCollege in the US. In 2004 he entered Atmovie Inc. where he produced movies and televised dramas, and was appointed company director in the same year. In 2007 he founded gumi Inc., and it started listing on first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December, 2014. ## 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". ## 01Booster - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Gaming, Video Games 01Booster is an incubator and accelerator. ## mixi - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Media and Entertainment, Apps, Information Technology Mixi is a Japanese social networking service that allows users to connect with their friends in a convenient way.It enables users to send and receive messages, write in a diary, read and comment on others' diaries, organize and join communities, and invite their friends. ## Animo Holdings Ltd. - Type: VC Fund - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Gaming, PC Games, Video Games Animo Holdings is an investment firm. ## Kentaro Ruichi - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Content, Video Games, Social Network Ruichi Kentaro is an Angel Investor. ## JVIC VENTURE CAPITAL - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Mobile, Content, Marketing JVIC VENTURE CAPITAL engages in the venture capital investment and consulting business. ## SG INCUBATE - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Logistics SG Incubation was born as an investment company for the formation of corporate venture capital (CVC), which invests in Kyushu's first startup company.Regardless of the stage of growth, the startup company that will be the investor will first value the “human nature” of the manager, determine whether it is a company that should support thefuture, and provide capital and management back up. The Seibu Gas Group will continue to aim for new business areas. ## Tatsuo Sakamoto - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed - Focus: Information Technology, Content, Education Tatsuo Sakamoto is a Head of Sales, Japan at MOLOCO. He Attended The University of Tokyo. ## Masao Ito - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel - Focus: Content, Social Media, Information Technology Masao Ito is a Founder & CEO at User Local. ## Sisu Game Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Gaming, Video Games, Software Sisu Game Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund focused 100% on games. We set up shop in 2014 to support the most promising founders in the industry. Sisu has deep roots in the Nordic region, but our network of founders is fully global.The Sisu team consists of Samuli, Paul, Erik, Kalle, Moaffak, Kadri, and Jere - all of whom haveextensive backgrounds in the game industry and startup circles, both as entrepreneurs and investors. We've founded and built sixteen game companies since the early 90s and had several successful exits. Apart from funding companies, the team uses their expertise to act as a studio builder. Individual founders are supported in building their team, honing their product strategy and in gathering the right group of investors. ## Miraidoa - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Health Care, Manufacturing, Information Technology Future Venture Capital Co., Ltd. is a venture capital firm specializing in early stage investment. The firm invests in diversified investment in a broad range of industrial sectors. It seeks to invest in Japan. The firm prefers to be the lead investor in its portfolio companies. Future Venture Capital Co., Ltd. was founded in 1998 and is based inKyoto, Japan with offices in Tokyo, Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Kanazawa, Mie, Sakai, Kobe, and Ehime. ## HAKOBUNE - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Sales, Video, Gaming HAKOBUNE is an independent venture capital business that invests in outliers and misfits. ## Incubate Fund - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - 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. ## Yasuyuki Kin - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed - Focus: Media and Entertainment, Recruiting, Career Planning Yasuyuki Kin ## iFund - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Apps, Music, Gaming ## Yusuke Sato - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Internet, Food and Beverage Yusuke Sato is the Co-Representative and Co-Founder of Pulit. ## BIGLOBE Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Mobile, Content, Marketing BIGLOBE Capital was founded in 2007 ## Akinori Harada - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Gaming, Metaverse, Video Games He is the vice president of mixi, Inc which is social media network in Japan since June 2009. He’s managed “mixi application” and “mixi new year card”. He’s also directed “mixi alum” and “mixi voice” to make it to be more social but community based. He joined mixi, Inc in 2007. He managed mobile development, “mixi mobile” which became a mixi’sdevelopment driver.Before he started his career at mixi, he was managing mainly portal sites such as searching engine section of “i-mode” at NTT Docomo Inc. ## Gumi Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Video, Gaming, Content Gumi Ventures helps the new entrepreneurs and businesses to cause a new innovation in the smartphone field. Gumi Ventures supports the new entrepreneurs and businesses that can resonate with gumi listed in the business mission, that cause a new innovation in the smartphone field. They will create a global company that represents the future ofJapan. ## B Dash Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Apps B Dash Ventures does seed to late stage tech investments in Japan, Asia Pacific, and the U.S. LPs include Japan's largest technology companies and financial institutions including NTT Docomo, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, GREE, NEC BIGLOBE, Fuji Television, and the Japanese government. B Dash Ventures also operates an incubation space inpartnership with Mori Building Co. and holds the invitation-based B Dash Camp conference. ## Ayataro Nakagawa - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - 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. ## FTX Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Software For builders, by builders. We back great teams building great products. ## K&P Partners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Content, CRM, Finance K&P Partners is an independent venture capital firm investing in digital technology and media companies. Kamio Hideaki and Shinya Matsumura co-founded the Tokyo, Tokyo-based firm in 2013. ## NES Venture Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series B, Series A - Focus: Software, Food and Beverage, B2C NES Venture Capital is an investment firm. ## Mobile Internet Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Mobile, Internet Mobile Internet Capital (MIC) keeps up on the latest developments of Mobile Internet technologies and services at a high level, and continues to be a venture capital with both technical expertise and execution capability. ## Presence Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Software Presence Capital is a venture fund investing in early-stage augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) companies. ## Shunsuke Oyu - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Internet, Media and Entertainment Shunsuke Oyu is the co-founder of Connehito Inc. Started an online Q&A platform “mamari” which is the largest platform for moms in Japan. Connehito was acquired by one of the telecom giant KDDI in 2016. Selected as a “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia” at consumer technology department. Angel-investing 50+ companies globally. ## Kyoto University of the Arts - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Gaming, Video Games, Machine Learning Kyoto University of Art and Design is one of leading art and design universities in Japan and has the highest number of students among domestic art schools at the undergraduate and graduate schools (including correspondence education). The university is located in the north-east area of Kyoto city, near historical cultural sites such as Ginkakujitemple, Manshu-in temple, Shisen-do temple, and Shugaku-in Imperial Villa. Excluding the field of music, the university covers almost all areas of art and design, including graphic design, animation, manga, film, fashion design, jewelry design, interior design, architecture design, landscape design, performing arts, fine arts, among others. In the school’s 37 years of history, many graduates have gone on and actively contributed to their areas of art and design both in and outside of Japan. ## DeNA - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: E-Commerce, Content, Internet DeNA provides a social game platform, social games, e-commerce, and other Web services for mobile devices and PCs. Its current flagship business is its mobile social games platform Mobage which offers first, second, and third-party games on multiple localized player networks worldwide. ## Ken Soga - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series D - Focus: Music, Content, E-Commerce Ken Soga is an individual investor. ## KDDI - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Mobile, Software, Internet KDDI Corporation is a Japanese telecommunications operator. It was created in 2000 through a merger of DDI, KDD and IDO and now employs over 15,000 people.The company provides a broad range of services, including fixed-line phone communication, mobile phone and web services, and Internet services. It also has a ownership stake in two Japanesecable television companies, Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) and Japan Cablenet (JCN). KDDI's mobile phone and web arm is branded as "au". The company is the current No. 2 in Japan's mobile communications market, trailing NTT DoCoMo and ahead of SoftBank. ## ANOBAKA - Type: VC Fund - Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology 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. ## Fuji Startup Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: E-Commerce, News, Internet Fuji Startup Ventures, the venture capital arm of Fuji Media Holdings, specializes in startup to early stage investments. ## Anji Botai Investment - Type: VC Fund - Location: Huzhou, Zhejiang, China - Relevant deals: 1 - Focus: Video Games, Virtual Reality Anji Botai Investment is an investment firm. ## Japan Asia Investment - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B, Series C - Focus: Medical, Biotechnology, Health Care JAIC is Japan's largest independent venture capital firm and has accumulated experience and know-how over a period of 15 years as a pioneer of venture capital investments in Asia. Building on such strengths, they are establishing a globally linked organization that pursues investment opportunities centering on the three regions of Japan, Asia,and the United States. ## Otomi Tomohiro - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Health Care, Travel, Content Otomi Tomohiro - CEO @ Tyrus ## Kulture - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Gaming, Metaverse, Video Games Kulture invests in enterprises to collaborate on entertainment development and encourage the creation of new in-house services, intellectual property, and performers. ## Soga Takeshi - Type: Angel - Location: Nerima, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Music, Mobile, Content Soga Takeshi