venture capital
Akari Hosho, which provides lifetime support and identity guarantee services for the elderly in compliance with national guidelines together with a group of trusted professionals such as lawyers, judicial scriveners, and care managers, has raised 80 million yen in funds through a third-party allotment of new shares, with underwriters including
startup
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Mizuho Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration to advance the development of a startup ecosystem. Areas of collaboration under the MOU: * Supporting the growth of startups originating from OIST * Development of an entrepreneurial education program for the OIST
crypto
SLASH VISION, Orient Corporation, and AIKITASU will partner to issue "Slash Card," Japan's first BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) service secured by USDC (USD Coin). The three companies are currently preparing to issue the "Slash Card" in the first half of 2025 (by the
crypto
pafin, the provider of cryptact, a leading cryptocurrency calculation service for tax filing, today announced its official launch in Canada. Founded by former Goldman Sachs executives with extensive experience in finance and investment, cryptact leverages institutional-level expertise to deliver accurate and efficient crypto tax solutions. Key Features of cryptact * Japan&
corporate venture capital
Hitachi has announced the establishment of the fourth fund of the corporate venture capital (CVC) fund "HV Fund" with a purpose to identify startups with the potential to create or disrupt large attractive markets, anticipate the next technological and social turning points, and generate future growth opportunities. The
venture capital
SBI Holdings announced that SBI Ventures Two, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, will acquire shares of Solaris SE, to make it a consolidated subsidiary. Reason for acquisition of shares SBI Holdings has invested in Solaris SE through the funds it manages and its subsidiary since 2017. Solaris SE has
wealth management
WealthNavi, the provider of “WealthNavi,” the top Japanese robo-advisor in terms of assets under management and number of users, announced that assets under management reached 1.4 trillion yen as of January 23, 2025, approximately 8 years and 6 months since the official release in July 2016. Also, MUFG'
insurtech
CIEN, a fully-owned subsidiary of hokan, has obtained a paid recruitment business license on January 1, 2025, and has launched a new insurance industry-focused talent recruitment service. This service aims to support human resources challenges for insurance companies, insurance agencies, insurance-related companies, insurtech firms, and overseas companies planning to enter
artificial intelligence
Vivident, a startup developing AI-powered character IP technology, has secured $1.5 million in seed funding from global investors across South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong. The round included participation from leading venture firms including Hashed, Mashup Ventures, TheVentures, Modhaus (Korea), Sfermion (US), as well as Japan&
venture capital
Cross Capital has invested in “Airbus Ventures Fund IV,” managed by Airbus Ventures, through its Fund of Funds, Cross Capital I Limited Partnership (CC1). This collaboration establishes a strategic partnerships aimed at fostering innovation and mutual growth. Airbus Ventures, established in 2016 and headquartered in California, is a global venture
asset management
Endowus has increased its total funding to over US$110 million. The digital wealth advisory platform raised an additional US$17.5 million following from their US$35 million raise in August 2023 to take the total for this round to US$52.5M. New investors include Malaysia-based OSK Ventures
corporate venture capital
Open innovation specialist Creww has formed Creww Capital, a new subsidiary focused on Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) support and fund management. Launching in January 2025, Creww Capital will be co-led by Creww CEO Amane Ijichi and ABAKAM CEO Naoto Matsumoto. Since 2012, Creww has orchestrated over 500 open innovation programs,