Colopl Next

Colopl Next is the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Colopl Inc., a prominent Japanese mobile game developer. Established in 2015, the firm was founded with the strategic objective of investing in and fostering innovation within emerging technology sectors that align with Colopl's core business and future growth areas. Its investment mandate primarily targets startups specializing in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other internet-related businesses. Colopl Next positions itself as more than just a capital provider, offering strategic support, industry insights, and potential collaboration opportunities by leveraging its parent company's extensive experience in mobile content development and market penetration.

The firm typically engages with companies at the seed to Series A stages, providing crucial early-stage capital and guidance. Colopl Next has demonstrated a consistent commitment to its investment thesis, having launched multiple funds. For instance, its initial fund, Colopl Next Fund I, was established with 5 billion JPY (approximately $45 million USD at the time of its launch), reflecting a substantial commitment to the startup ecosystem. This was followed by subsequent funds of similar size, indicating a sustained investment strategy. While primarily focused on the Japanese market, Colopl Next also selectively invests in promising international startups that demonstrate strong potential and strategic fit.

As an active participant in the venture landscape, Colopl Next has built a diverse portfolio, having made over 100 investments since its inception. Their typical first check sizes range from smaller seed investments, potentially around $100,000, up to larger Series A rounds that can reach $3,000,000. This flexibility allows them to support a wide spectrum of early-stage companies, from nascent ideas requiring initial validation to more developed startups seeking to scale. Their strategic backing, combined with financial capital, aims to accelerate the growth and market adoption of their portfolio companies, particularly those innovating in the digital entertainment and immersive technology spaces.