DoCoMo Capital

DoCoMo Capital was the corporate venture capital arm of NTT DoCoMo, a leading Japanese mobile phone operator. Established in Palo Alto, California, in 2011, its primary mission was to identify and invest in innovative startups developing cutting-edge technologies and services relevant to the mobile industry. The firm aimed to introduce these advanced solutions to NTT DoCoMo's extensive customer base, fostering strategic partnerships and exploring new business opportunities, particularly in the realm of mobile services for its 53 million+ subscribers.

The investment focus of DoCoMo Capital spanned a wide range of sectors, including mobile technology, digital media, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and fintech. The firm typically engaged with companies across various stages, from early-stage seed rounds to Series A and B, and occasionally participating in later growth rounds. Its strategic approach emphasized leveraging its parent company's vast resources and market reach to support portfolio companies' growth and market penetration, particularly in Asia.

DoCoMo Capital was initially capitalized with $10 million, with an ambitious plan to deploy up to $100 million in investments over its first five years of operation. During its active period, roughly from 2011 to 2017, the firm made numerous investments in promising startups, aiming to bring disruptive innovations to the forefront of the mobile ecosystem. While specific investment amounts varied based on the stage and strategic importance, typical first checks generally ranged from several hundred thousand dollars to a few million, reflecting their early-stage and strategic investment mandate.

The entity's activities eventually evolved, with its functions and focus seemingly integrated into DOCOMO Innovations, Inc., which continues to explore new technologies and business models for NTT DoCoMo. DoCoMo Capital played a significant role in connecting the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem with the Japanese telecommunications giant, facilitating cross-border innovation and technology adoption.