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TO BE UPDATED

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Softbank’s Vision Fund is the largest VC in the world, with USD 100 billion in capital. Earlier this year, Softbank announced plans to raise second USD 100 billion fund, as well as a USD 55 million fund for early stage VC focused on early stage AI. So far, Softbank has only had a few investments in Nordic companies, though they famously bought a stake in Supercell in 2013 (which was later sold to Tencent). However, partners have been present at Nordic events like Slush and TechBBQ to connect with deep tech startups, and with funds focused in Nordic strongholds, so interactions with Nordic startups might increase.

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Marubeni is a major Japanese business and investing conglomerate that has been increasing their interest in Nordic and Baltic solutions. Marubeni is not a VC, but collaborates with startups through investments in innovations that serve their core business. The companies 2019 focus areas are Nordic strongholds, including blockchain, gaming, and wellbeing, and they have plans to open an office in Tallinn.

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Mistletoe is a VC focusing on “world changing startups in deeptech” and is run by Taizo Son, the youngest brother of Softbank’s Chief Executive Masoyoshi Son. Mistletoe has invested in several Northern European companies, including Funderbeam and Lift99, and is an investor in the Helsinki-based early stage fund Maki.VC and the Estonian VC Tera Ventures.

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NordicNinja VC is a joint venture between the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and BaltCap. Nordic Ninja VC is the first Nordic/Baltic fund focused fund from Japan. The €100 million fund is backed by Panasonic, Honda, Omron, C and was launched at Slush 2018 in Finland. 

The team’s stated focus is on matching new Nordic ideas with Japanese industrial powerhouses. Their target sectors are enterprise software, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, digital health, and mobility.

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Plug and Play is a global innovation platform working as a VC and a corporate accelerator. Headquartered in Silicon Valley – but with 26 locations worldwide – Plug and Play provides a three-month program twice per year.

Plug and Play Japan works with corporate partners in Tokyo mainly focusing on acceleration startups in Japan and abroad. The program is focused around IoT, brand and retail, fintech, insuretech, and mobility.

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