SMBC Venture Capital is the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, established in 2005 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm focuses on investing in companies across various sectors, including information technology, life sciences, services, and manufacturing. SMBC Venture Capital leverages its parent company's extensive financial services experience to identify and support innovative startups and growth-stage companies, aiming to foster advancements in these key industries. By providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and resources, SMBC Venture Capital seeks to drive growth and create long-term value for its portfolio companies.
Yuzu 1-3-4 Yuzu Chuo- ku, Tokyo 103-0028 Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kureai Bridge Building
Furuta Daiji
Managing Director
Akira Ochiai
President and CEO
Yamaguchi Masahiro
Managing Director
Past deals in Business Development
Quanmatic
Series A in 2024
Quanmatic is an information and technology company focused on developing algorithms and solutions to connect quantum technologies with real-world applications. The company has created an experiential learning platform that features tutorial content and demonstration applications designed for combinatorial optimization problems. This platform allows users to input mathematical data and run quantum annealing machines directly from a web browser, enabling them to tackle large-scale challenges effectively. By bridging the gap between advanced quantum technology and practical problem-solving, Quanmatic aims to enhance understanding and utilization of quantum computing in various fields.
Arches
Seed Round in 2024
Arches is a sharing platform focusing on Asian market. It's mission is to accelerate the growth of our global clients sharing the respectable knowledge, network, resources of local experts on our platform. We provide the experts / distributors matching platform and help our clients to understand the industry, enter Asian market through knowledge sharing between the local experts and clients.
X Mile
Series B in 2024
X Mile is a human resources platform focused on connecting logistics companies with drivers. It develops a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution aimed at addressing workforce challenges, such as labor shortages and low productivity. The platform operates by providing recruitment services across various sectors, including logistics, automobile maintenance, and construction. By supporting agents in these fields, X Mile enhances operational efficiency and helps increase sales for non-desk businesses, facilitating better management and workforce solutions.
M&A Bazaar
Seed Round in 2023
M&A Bazaar operates a Japanese M&A platform designed to facilitate connections between businesses seeking to acquire or merge with others. The platform offers a unique M&A Bazaar Method, which addresses the challenges associated with traditional M&A processes. It is accessible to both buyers and sellers at no cost, as the company does not impose fees for introductions. This approach allows businesses to leverage mergers and acquisitions as a means of growth without the financial barriers typically associated with such transactions.
Kickflow
Seed Round in 2023
Kickflow is an IT firm that offers a cloud-based workflow service designed to enhance management efficiency and facilitate business growth. The company's workflow tool provides customizable settings tailored to specific organizational structures, approval processes, and internal regulations. This flexibility enables medium-sized and large companies to manage their tasks in a more streamlined manner, ultimately improving operational effectiveness.
AGRI SMILE
Series A in 2023
AGRI SMILE focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture through innovative technology and community development. By integrating software with scientific methods, the company aims to enhance agricultural practices and establish cultivation systems that align with environmental and regional needs. AGRI SMILE offers a range of services, including cultivation video distribution, agricultural succession training, demonstration tests, and consulting services. These offerings help farmers access valuable educational content and resources, promoting both financial stability and personal growth within the agricultural sector.
Space BD
Venture Round in 2021
Space BD is a company focused on facilitating the industrialization of space by offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to address the challenges faced by businesses developing new technologies. By adopting a business-driven approach, Space BD aims to streamline access to space for scientists and organizations, thereby promoting the commercialization of low Earth orbit. The company positions itself as a one-stop solution for various space-related needs, ultimately seeking to simplify and enhance the process of space exploration and utilization for its clients.
Creww
Venture Round in 2020
Creww Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that operates a platform dedicated to the business development of startups. Established in 2012, it provides a range of services designed to support new businesses and entrepreneurs. Its offerings include Creww Accele, a collaboration platform that promotes startup initiatives, and Docks, which provides co-working spaces for businesses. Additionally, Creww offers Steams, a cloud service that facilitates co-creation business programs, and a corporate membership service that supports new business creation. The company focuses on fostering a startup community by leveraging digital technology to assist entrepreneurs in tackling social and corporate challenges, while also promoting corporate open innovation and digital transformation. Creww aims to connect startups with appropriate investors and strategic partners, thereby enhancing their growth potential.
Mazrica
Venture Round in 2019
Mazrica, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2015 that specializes in designing and developing an online business support platform. The company offers a sales force automation and customer relationship management software called "Senses," which enhances organizational performance by tracking sales opportunities and managing centralized information. In addition to its software solutions, Mazrica provides business consulting services, particularly focusing on infrastructure projects. The platform incorporates artificial intelligence to assist clients in improving their organizational intelligence and addressing common challenges in personalization. By combining technology with consulting, Mazrica aims to foster a more creative and fulfilling work environment for sales organizations.
MIL
Venture Round in 2019
MIL Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in interactive video and movie production, alongside product development services. The company focuses on various aspects of video marketing, including video commerce, online-to-offline (O2O) strategies, recruitment videos, and landing videos. Through its innovative offerings, MIL aims to enhance engagement and promote effective communication for its clients across diverse sectors.
ExaWizards
Venture Round in 2019
ExaWizards is an artificial intelligence startup focused on addressing social issues through innovative technological solutions. The company develops AI-enabled services aimed at enhancing various sectors, including medicine, healthcare, education, finance, and robotics. One of its primary objectives is to improve the quality of care for dementia patients while also supporting new caregivers in delivering effective assistance. By fostering partnerships with other organizations, ExaWizards accelerates business growth across multiple fields, leveraging AI technology to drive industrial innovation and tackle pressing social challenges.
Yappli
Series C in 2019
Yappli is a Tokyo-based B2B SaaS company that offers a no-code platform for developing, managing, and analyzing mobile applications. The platform empowers users to create enterprise-grade native apps without any coding skills, allowing for full control over the app's design and functionality. Yappli's innovative solutions cater to notable clients such as The North Face, GYAO, Azul by Moussy, and Cartoon Network, positioning the company as a significant player in the app development industry. With numerous API integrations and external services, Yappli enhances the app experience while ensuring users retain ownership of their accounts and applications. The company is recognized for its achievements, having placed in various prestigious rankings, including CLOUD TOP10 Forbes Japan and Deloitte Fast 50 Japan. Through its dedicated support team, Yappli assists businesses in effortlessly designing customized applications tailored to their needs.
Space BD
Venture Round in 2019
Space BD is a company focused on facilitating the industrialization of space by offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to address the challenges faced by businesses developing new technologies. By adopting a business-driven approach, Space BD aims to streamline access to space for scientists and organizations, thereby promoting the commercialization of low Earth orbit. The company positions itself as a one-stop solution for various space-related needs, ultimately seeking to simplify and enhance the process of space exploration and utilization for its clients.
IMCF
Venture Round in 2019
IMCF is a brand incubation company focused on supporting fashion designers by providing essential financial, marketing, and promotional assistance. Its primary goal is to create an environment where designers can concentrate on their creative work while IMCF manages all other operational tasks. By investing in emerging designers, IMCF fosters new value creation and guides entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into successful brands. The company also emphasizes a collaborative approach, acting as a unified business partner to tackle challenges alongside the designers. Through its support, IMCF enables designers to acquire knowledge of the business and marketing processes, ultimately streamlining the launch of their brands and minimizing associated costs and time.
Spready
Venture Round in 2018
Spready is a service that creates a new connection between people and organizations.
Yell
Venture Round in 2018
YeLL, Inc. is a human resources consulting firm based in Shinagawa-ku, Japan, founded in 2013. The company specializes in employee engagement and organizational development, offering solutions that enhance communication and support individual employee growth. YeLL's platform includes coaching and career consultancy services, aimed at helping employees identify and address their challenges. By making the voices of employees more visible, YeLL assists organizations in transforming their workplace culture and improving overall effectiveness. Through its innovative approach, the company seeks to strengthen organizational dynamics and foster a more engaged workforce.
ExaWizards
Venture Round in 2018
ExaWizards is an artificial intelligence startup focused on addressing social issues through innovative technological solutions. The company develops AI-enabled services aimed at enhancing various sectors, including medicine, healthcare, education, finance, and robotics. One of its primary objectives is to improve the quality of care for dementia patients while also supporting new caregivers in delivering effective assistance. By fostering partnerships with other organizations, ExaWizards accelerates business growth across multiple fields, leveraging AI technology to drive industrial innovation and tackle pressing social challenges.
AZoom
Venture Round in 2017
AZoom Co Ltd specializes in the management of parking lot operations, providing outsourced services for property owners. The company is engaged in various commercial activities, including the buying, selling, mediation, management, and leasing of real estate. In addition to its core focus on parking lot management, AZoom is involved in business development through Internet services and media operations, further enhancing its offerings in the real estate sector.
SMARTCAMP
Series B in 2017
Smart Camp is a technology company that offers SaaS comparison services, inside sales agency support, and B2B digital marketing solutions.
Lisuto
Seed Round in 2017
Lisuto is a developer of an advanced Marketplace Optimization Platform designed to support eCommerce sellers in enhancing the visibility of their products across various marketplaces. Recognizing that a significant portion of eCommerce searches begin on marketplaces rather than traditional search engines, Lisuto addresses the challenges sellers face, such as intense competition and the complexities of product content optimization. The platform utilizes AI-driven tools for automated attribute extraction and competitive analysis, leveraging Natural Language Processing to streamline the optimization process. This allows sellers to improve their product discoverability and drive sales growth with minimal manual effort. Initially focused on major marketplaces in Japan, such as Rakuten and Yahoo Shopping, Lisuto aims to expand its services to leading marketplaces globally.
Cognitee
Series A in 2016
Cognitee Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in developing online brainstorming and decision-making software tools aimed at enhancing productivity and decision-making processes. Founded in 2013, Cognitee offers a suite of products including Discuss-Here Office, ViSummary, and BrainPlots, which help users identify errors and cognitive biases in their discussions and presentations. The Discuss-Here Office features automation software, while ViSummary provides comprehensive reports and summaries. The BrainPlots applications are designed to enhance content quality by offering insights inspired by TED speakers. Additionally, Cognitee utilizes a vast database to analyze trends in effective team performance across various business functions, offering analysis services through its COG Series. This platform quantitatively evaluates the cognitive biases present in team interactions, enabling organizations in sectors such as insurance, consulting, and marketing to improve their communication and decision-making capabilities.
Base
Series A in 2016
BASE, Inc. is a Japanese company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Tokyo, specializing in the planning, development, and operation of web services. The company operates through three primary segments: BASE Business, PAY Business, and Other Business. It offers an online shop opening service and a smartphone shopping application, both branded under BASE. Additionally, it provides YELL BANK, a financial service that enables shop owners using BASE to raise funds. The company also offers PAY.JP, an online payment service for developers to integrate credit card payments into their web services and e-commerce platforms, as well as PAY ID, an ID-based payment solution for consumers. Through these services, BASE aims to support the growth of e-commerce in Japan by delivering comprehensive business solutions.
ChatWork
Series B in 2016
Chatwork is a business chat application aimed at enhancing communication and collaboration among global teams. It offers features such as secure messaging, video chat, task management, and file sharing, making it a comprehensive tool for increasing productivity. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Chatwork is recognized as Asia’s leading business chat app, serving over 200,000 companies across various industries. The platform is available in five languages and has a workforce of 89 employees located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei. In addition to its core chat services, the company engages in peripheral services and new business development.
Misoca
Seed Round in 2014
Misoca Inc. is a Japan-based company that specializes in cloud-based invoice management solutions. Established in 2011 and originally known as StandFirm Inc., Misoca focuses on optimizing business transactions through its platform. The services offered include the management and editing of invoices, quotations, and receipts, allowing businesses to create invoices efficiently and save time in their financial processes.
G-Factory Company
Venture Round in 2011
G-Factory Company specializes in the real estate sector, focusing on leasing and rental services tailored for small to medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the restaurant and beauty salon industries. The company supports businesses aiming for multi-store development and capital investment by offering comprehensive management assistance, which includes restaurant management services for service-oriented companies. Additionally, G-Factory provides a range of support services that encompass property information, interior equipment solutions, assistance with overseas store openings, maintenance, and mergers and acquisitions. This multifaceted approach positions G-Factory as a key player in facilitating the growth and operational success of service-based businesses.
All Ads
Venture Round in 2008
All Ads is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in digital marketing services aimed at enhancing the cost-effectiveness of advertising for business professionals. By focusing on LTV marketing, All Ads combines data, technology, and consulting to optimize advertising strategies. The company provides a range of services including in-house media management, affiliate advertising consulting, operational advertising consulting, and roundtable discussions. Through its comprehensive approach, All Ads seeks to support the growth of its clients' businesses by improving their advertising performance.
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