Hikari Tsushin Group

Hikari Tsushin Group, a prominent Japanese conglomerate listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 9435), operates a highly active and opportunistic investment arm in addition to its core telecommunications and office equipment sales businesses. The firm's investment strategy is notably broad, encompassing investments in unlisted companies, listed companies, and various funds. They are known for their stage-agnostic approach, deploying capital across early-stage ventures, late-stage growth companies, and post-IPO equity investments, with a primary focus on entities demonstrating high growth potential.

Hikari Tsushin's investment philosophy aims to maximize returns through strategic exits such as M&A and IPOs. Their substantial financial capacity is evident in their balance sheet; as of December 31, 2023, their total investment securities were valued at approximately JPY 340.5 billion, equivalent to about USD 2.2 billion. This significant capital base allows them to pursue a wide array of investment opportunities, often taking substantial stakes in their portfolio companies.

The group has been a notable participant in several significant venture funding rounds in Japan. For instance, they invested in SmartHR's Series D round in 2021, a financing event that exceeded $140 million, and also participated in AnyMind Group's Series D round, which amounted to approximately $45 million. While specific individual check sizes are not always disclosed, their involvement in such large rounds indicates their capacity and willingness to deploy considerable capital in growth-stage and pre-IPO companies. Their diverse investment mandate positions them as a flexible and strategic financial partner across various industries.