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Dentsu Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund that supports entrepreneurs to bring their innovation to the world.

With the unique value creation capabilities of the Dentsu Group and its strong network of leading VCs around the world, Dentsu Ventures aspires to build a culture of co-creation between startups and corporations and help create a better world.

Support

In addition to providing necessary financial support, Dentsu Ventures will focus on hands-on support utilizing the problem solving resources Dentsu Group has cultivated as described below.

Buisiness Development Offering business development/business management support

・Provide support for developing business strategies
・Help with product/service development with both rational and creative appeal
・Analyze markets and business feasibility through researches and analysis tools/expertise
・Provide assistance from a team of experts to improve UI/UX
・Help recruit talented members via our unique network
・Support fundraising

Partnership/Alliance Building and implementing strategies for corporate partnerships

・Support the development of partnership/alliance strategies with Dentsu Group's clients and others
・Help develop joint projects with media firms and sports/movie rights holders
・Design business models for partnerships/alliances and facilitate collaboration

Marketing Providing wide range of marketing solutions

・Provide integrated marketing plan and campaign tailored to the each stage of our portfolio
・Provide professional marketing tools and services building on our cutting-edge technology and expertise
・Share knowledge and insight into cutting-edge marketing technology and trends
・Support product designs, content production and other creative work, utilizing the best creative resources available

Global Supporting global expansion

・Help global expansion utilizing Dentsu Group network
・Support localization of products/services based on the local market insights
・Offer sessions and workshops with key industry influencers worldwide

Portfolio

A multi-document summarization platform using natural language and big data analyses
agolo
An AI-driven production platform for the motion picture and television industry

Arraiy
(acquired by Matterport)
Providing a community-driven integrated customer success platform "coorum"
Asobica
Producing and distributing business news videos for Millennials
Cheddar
(acquired by Altice)
An automated and intelligent next-generation sequencing platform built for food safety testing
Clear Labs
Cloud service for operations support utilizing drones
CLUE
Developing consumer and professional medical diagnostic products that can be used in clinical or at-home settings
Cue (IPO)
Developing blockchain-based games and applications
double jump.tokyo
Developing and operating “BUMP,” a pay-per-view short drama app
emole
Manufacturing protein bars using cricket flour from pulverized crickets
Exo
(acquired by Aspire Food)
Providing an AI Observability platform enabling companies to monitor, analyze, explain, and improve AI and ML models responsibly
Fiddler AI
A next generation investment service specializing in thematic investing as an online brokerage firm
FOLIO
Accelerating the Growth of Japanese Brands through Strategic M&A
forest
Executing M&A and roll-ups of small and mid-sized IT businesses
FUNDiT
Developing a blood test for early-stage cancer detection utilizing DNA sequencing technology
Grail
(acquired by Illumina)
Collaborating with artists with disabilities to transform perceptions of disability and create new cultures rooted in welfare
HERALBONY
A platform that automatically generates hyper-local news content
Hoodline
(acquired by Nextdoor)
Providing a sales data platform that seamlessly integrates market research, target list creation, and decision-maker outreach
infobox
Providing a Character Engine for powering AI-driven characters
Inworld AI
Planning for the commercialization of innovative space carrier system
Innovative Space Carrier
AI-powered anime production and content service development business
KaKa Creation
Developing and operating the shopping app, designed for enjoying shopping "together with someone"
KAUCHE
A next-generation medication history system that supports the digital transformation of the pharmaceutical industry
KAKEHASHI
Neurosymbolic AI automation platform for business operations
Kognitos
An audience engagement platform for interactive experiences
Livelike
An auto-generated digital 3D avatar platform that uses computer vision technology
Loom.ai
(acquired by Roblox)
A cloud production management platform that effectively utilizes a network of idle factory assets
MACROFAB
Providing a platform for shop mobility operators such as food trucks
Mellow
Medical services and drug discovery based on gut microbiome science
Metagen Therapeutics
Building mobile AR platform for seamless remote collaboration and hands-free workflow guidance
Mira Labs
(acquired by Apple)
Developing the Layer 1 blockchain Sui and accelerating the adoption of the Sui ecosystem
Mysten Labs
A platform to help retail brands improve post-purchase experiences for customers
Narvar
Operating a media platform for Millennials and offering marketing solutions to companies and brands
NEW STANDARD
Developing cloud-first smartphones

nextbit
(acquired by Razer)
Developing and operating cross-border business platform for China and other markets
NOVARCA
A comprehensive social engagement platform that allows digital publishers to manage user comments and foster healthy communities
OpenWeb
A sports media/community platform for the next generation of athletes and fans
Overtime
Providing services related to the creation and operation of community commerce
Ricecurry(IPO)
Developing and publishing games on gaming platform Roblox
Roforco
A platform for streamlining and maximizing revenue for subscription businesses
Scalebase
Providing a data privacy vault built to radically simplify how companies isolate, protect, and govern their customers’ most sensitive data
Skyflow
Software for parking lot supply and demand analysis and dynamic pricing
Smarking
(acquired by ParkHub)
Psychology based, AI-driven platform that enables digital experience optimization
Solsten
Producing and distributing original vertical scrolling webcomic works
SORAJIMA
Creating VR entertainment content powered by cutting-edge immersive technology
Survios
Developing and providing no-code guide and navigation tool
Techtouch
Providing a real estate marketplace "cowcamo" and "space invention" services
TSUKURUBA (IPO)
Developing a fully autonomous driving system using end-to-end and generative AI
Turing
Developing a disruptive silicon-powered DNA synthesis platform
Twist Bioscience (IPO)
Building micro-amusement parks with a range of immersive entertainment activities
Two Bit Circus
The world’s leading K-12 creative coding platform
Tynker
(acquired by Byju’s)
Developing AR cloud platform to seamlessly connect reality and virtual space
UBIQUITY6
(acquired by Discord)
Producing cell-cultured meat that is delicious, affordable and environmentally friendly
UPSIDE Foods
Operation and development of 2.5D IP that performs with both real-life talents (3D) and illustrated or virtual characters (2D)
UTAITE
A video content creation network and platform where brands can create digital video ads leveraging creative data
VidMob
Operating an audio platform "Voicy"
Voicy
Developing water treatment technology to realize "small-scale, decentralized water recycling system"
WOTA

Team

Kotaro Sasamoto Managing Partner

Kotaro is the Managing Partner at Dentsu Ventures. Prior to founding Dentsu Ventures in April 2015, Kotaro engaged in a wide range of advertising work at Dentsu, including developing and executing marketing strategies for clients, building up clients’ international operations, and establishing the international branch for Dentsu. While at the corporate strategy division, he was in charge of investment in Japanese and international startups and new business development.

Kotaro holds a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies at Kyoto University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is a jury member for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2017.

Daiji Horibe General Partner

Daiji is a General Partner at Dentsu Ventures, primarily involved in fund management, sourcing, valuation, and value-add activities for Japanese and international startups. As Co-founder and Managing Partner at Prime Partners Inc., he has participated in a large number of fund planning, corporate innovation generation, and CVC management support operations. Before his current role, he worked at an independent venture capital firm, supporting the establishment and operation of CVCs for major Japanese enterprises. Additionally, he has experience working at Boston Consulting Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Daiwa Securities SMBC Co., Ltd.

Daiji earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Kyoto University's Engineering Department. He also holds an MBA from the University of Rochester.

Kevin Hasegawa General Partner

Kevin is a General Partner at Dentsu Ventures. He is mainly in charge of sourcing and investing in startups focused on international market, and supporting their expansion to the Japan and Asia markets. While being involved in innovation support for large corporations as Co-founder & Managing Partner at Prime Partners Inc., he has also supported startups, as a mentor for Y Combinator for Bio, IndieBio and Techstars. Before working in his current position, he worked at an independent venture capital fund, Itochu Corporation and at CTC.

Kevin received a BA in Engineering, a BS in Physics and an MBA from the University of Southern California, and an MS from the Dept of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University.

Daisuke Takemori General Partner

Daisuke is a General Partner at Dentsu Ventures. He is primarily responsible for sourcing, valuation and value-add activities for Japanese startups. As a Founding Partner of Prime Partners Inc., he has proven experience in fund management and business development consulting for large corporations. In addition, he has been involved in the management of several startups, serving as a business development advisor for PKSHA Technology and WACUL, where he contributed in strategy planning from the seed stage to IPO. He also served as COO and executive board member at ROBIT. Prior to his current position, he worked at Boston Consulting Group and Sony Corporation.

Daisuke received his bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Business and Commerce at Keio University.

Tatsuru Isayama Principal

Tatsuru is a Principal at Dentsu Ventures. He is responsible for strategy planning aimed at building a new business foundation for the Dentsu Group, global startup investment, and business development with Dentsu Group companies in Japan and other regions. Prior to his current role, he worked in media buying at the TV division and handled advertising and marketing operations for numerous clients at the account management division.

Tatsuru graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo and received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Hideyuki Nakanishi Principal

Hideyuki is a Principal at Dentsu Ventures. He is mainly responsible for sourcing, valuation and due diligence of Japanese and international startups. At Prime Partners Inc., his focus is on consulting businesses related to new business development. Before his current position, he was an Investment Director at Hong Kong-based Ward Ferry Management for seven years, where he worked on research and investment activities on Asian companies, primarily covering the Japanese market and watching companies in other Asian countries. In addition, he has experience working at Boston Consulting Group and as an Equity Research Analyst at Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc.

Hideyuki graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo.

Yuka Okada Associate

Yuka is an Associate at Dentsu Ventures. She is in charge of Japanese and global startup investment. Prior to joining Dentsu Ventures, she worked in the investment banking division of SMBC Nikko Securities, where she was engaged in global IPOs and M&A for technology companies.

Yuka holds a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Literature at Kyoto University.

Yuki Ino Venture Partner

Yuki is a Venture Partner at Dentsu Ventures. He is in charge of venture investment in Japan. Yuki also works for Dentsu Innovation Initiative, where he is responsible for strategic planning in new business development and portfolio management. Prior to joining Dentsu Ventures, he engaged in M&A and financial strategy in the corporate strategy division. Before joining Dentsu, Yuki worked for GREE, a Japanese mobile gaming and internet media company, where he worked on venture investment in Japan and post merger integration at its San Francisco office.

Yuki holds a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Law at Sophia University.

Masataka Wakamatsu Venture Partner

Masataka is a Venture Partner at Dentsu Ventures. He is in charge of venture investment in Japan and Europe. Masataka also works for Dentsu Innovation Initiative, where he is responsible for strategic planning in new business development in the global market in collaboration with international branches of Dentsu Group. Prior to joining Dentsu Ventures in 2021, he worked in the information systems division, and moved to the account management division, where he led various marketing and advertising projects for global clients across a wide range of industries in both Japanese and international markets.

Masataka holds a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University and an MBA from IE Business School in Spain.

Kana Nakako Venture Partner

Kana is a Venture Partner at Dentsu Ventures in charge of venture investment outside of Japan. She also holds a concurrent role at Dentsu Innovation Initiative, where she drives new business development in VR, AR and sports. She gained extensive experience in the sports business and brand marketing while at Dentsu inc., where she worked with various sports federations to help secure sponsorships and drive marketing efforts. Later, she transitioned to a role as a creative strategist, developing and executing global marketing campaigns for clients.

Kana holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the University of California San Diego and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Takeshi Oda Venture Partner

Takeshi is a Venture Partner at Dentsu Ventures. He is in charge of venture investment, value-add activities and project creation with portfolio companies especially in XR and content business areas. Takeshi also works for Dentsu Innovation Initiative, where he is responsible for strategy planning to build a new business foundation for Dentsu Group. Prior to joining Dentsu Ventures in 2019, he was involved in project management in the public sector.

Takeshi graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo

Fund

Name:: Dentsu Ventures Fund Ⅱ
Partners:: Dentsu Group Inc., Dentsu Innovation Partners Inc. and Prime Partners, Inc.
Total fund capital:: 10 billion yen
Date of establishment:: April 2021
Period of operation:: 10 years to March 2031
Investment regions:: Global
Investment stages:: From seed to late stage

Name:: Dentsu Ventures Global Fund I
Partners:: Dentsu Inc.(Transferred to Dentsu Group Inc. in January of 2020) and Prime Partners, Inc.
Total fund capital:: 10 billion yen
Date of establishment:: April 2015
Period of operation:: 10 years to March 2025
Investment regions:: Global investments with a central focus on the U.S., Europe and Asia
Investment stages:: Balanced, wide-ranging investments with the focus on seed and early stage investments, but also including mid-stage and later-stage investments

Contact

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1-8-1, Higashi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7050, Japan
MAIL：info@dentsu-v.com

Create Value, Create the Future.