Marubeni

Marubeni Corporation, a prominent Japanese sogo shosha, actively engages in venture capital through its dedicated corporate venture capital (CVC) arm, Marubeni Ventures. Established in 2019, Marubeni Ventures was created to identify and invest in early-stage startups possessing innovative technologies and business models that can create synergies with Marubeni Corporation's extensive global operations. The CVC aims to foster new business opportunities and accelerate digital transformation across Marubeni's diverse sectors, which include energy, infrastructure, food, agriculture, and chemicals.

Marubeni Ventures maintains a broad investment thesis, targeting companies across various strategic themes crucial for future growth. These areas include next-generation infrastructure, healthcare, smart city solutions, fintech, and digital transformation (DX) technologies. The CVC's approach is highly strategic, seeking to leverage Marubeni Corporation's vast network, industry expertise, and operational resources to support the growth of its portfolio companies, facilitating their market entry and expansion, particularly within Asian markets.

The CVC manages two distinct funds, reflecting its increasing commitment to the startup ecosystem. Marubeni Ventures Fund I, launched in 2019, had a total commitment of 5 billion Japanese Yen, equivalent to approximately $32.3 million USD. Building on its initial success, Marubeni Ventures established Fund II in 2023, significantly increasing its capital to 10 billion Japanese Yen, or roughly $64.5 million USD. For its initial investments, Marubeni Ventures typically writes checks ranging from several hundred million Japanese Yen per company. This translates to an approximate first check size between $1.3 million USD and $5.8 million USD, depending on the specific opportunity and stage of the startup. This flexible investment range allows them to participate in seed to Series B rounds, focusing on companies that align with Marubeni's long-term strategic objectives and offer potential for significant collaborative value.