MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE Venture Capital (MSIVC)

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital (MSIVC) is the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., a prominent Japanese insurance group. Established in 2001 and based in Tokyo, MSIVC plays a strategic role in identifying and nurturing innovative startups that align with the parent company's long-term vision and potential for collaboration. The firm primarily focuses on early-stage investments, targeting companies from Seed to Series B rounds, with a strategic interest in technologies and business models that could disrupt or enhance the insurance and financial services sectors, as well as broader industries.

MSIVC's investment mandate spans a diverse range of sectors, including Fintech, Insurtech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Healthcare, SaaS, Deep Tech, and Mobility. While its primary geographic focus is on the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets, MSIVC also actively seeks out promising global startups. The firm aims to support its portfolio companies not only with capital but also by leveraging the extensive network and resources of the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, facilitating strategic partnerships and market access for its ventures.

The firm demonstrates its commitment to the startup ecosystem through substantial capital deployment. In 2021, MSIVC announced its fifth fund, MSIVC No. 5 Investment Limited Partnership, with a total commitment of JPY 10 billion, equivalent to approximately $77 million USD at the time of its launch. This fund underscores their continued dedication to early-stage innovation. MSIVC typically deploys initial investments ranging from several tens of millions to several hundreds of millions of Japanese Yen per company. Based on current exchange rates, this translates to a typical first cheque size ranging from approximately $300,000 to $3,000,000 USD, depending on the stage and specific needs of the startup. MSIVC seeks to back companies with high growth potential, aiming for eventual IPOs or strategic exits.