MPower Partners launches Japan's first VC fund focused on women's advancement
MPower Partners have established the "WPower Fund," Japan's first fund 100% dedicated to supporting startups founded by women and those offering services and products that contribute to women's advancement, with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi Estate, and Shionogi & Co. as Limited Partners and a fund size of up to JPY 8bn (USD 54m). This fund aims to nurture women entrepreneurs from Japan who can succeed globally, support startups that promote women's advancement, revitalize innovation in Japan, and contribute to creating an attractive nation.
Background for Establishing Japan's First Women-Focused Fund
While startup investment in Japan has increased tenfold over the past decade, investment in women entrepreneurs remains at a low level of just 2% of the total. Meanwhile, the number of women founders is increasing yearly, with 34% of new businesses being started by women. Many excellent women-founded startups and women-related businesses face difficulties in raising funds, hindering innovation and diminishing economic vitality. At the same time, MPower Partners believe there exists a significant investment opportunity that the market is overlooking.
Even among venture capital firms, which are funding providers for startups, the proportion of women in decision-making positions is said to be only about 6-7%. Through this fund, women capitalists at MPower Partners, together with investors who strongly support women's advancement, can contribute to the diversification of the entire startup ecosystem and ultimately to the revitalization of the Japanese economy by supporting women entrepreneurs and businesses that contribute to women's advancement.
Aims of the Fund
- The fund aims to achieve both economic returns and social impact, primarily by "supporting women entrepreneurs facing fundraising difficulties" and "supporting startups with services and products that contribute to women's advancement."
- MPower Partners will provide a space where women entrepreneurs and these startups can gather, and create "WValley" in the Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho area as a "hub for women entrepreneurs" for knowledge sharing and information dissemination.
- Working collaboratively with the fund's LPs, MPower Partners will support the creation of an environment where women entrepreneurs and startups promoting women's advancement can raise funds with confidence, and support their business expansion.
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