When it comes to the Asian outbound investments, the name that often comes to mind is China.
Unbeknownst to many, the unassuming economic powerhouse that is Japan has been gradually ramping up its outward investments. In 2016 along, Japan deployed USD 169.5bn overseas, lagging just behind China’s USD 170.1bn according to official figures.
Although the main driver of this has been investments in production capability and capacity by major Japanese manufacturers, investments are also beginning to be directed at importing technological capabilities.
A key part of their culture, the Japanese have always placed emphasis on “Monozukuri”, which roughly translates as “Craftsmanship”. Japanese businesses have always been notoriously hardware-centric – as evidenced by the success of global Japanese brands. However, this focus has created a systemic shortage of new-age talent to drive forward technological ambitions.
Recognising this, Japanese corporates are increasingly looking to the global pool of technology and talent for new opportunities.
The primary focus of this meeting is to offer a deal flow platform to drive Japanese investments into three key pillars; IT, eCommerce, and Healthcare.
The platform will present a roundtable panel on Venture Capital in Japan designed to broaden knowledge on foreign investments, criteria, and processes, followed by pre-scheduled introductory meetings between 10 selected investment opportunities and key Japanese venture investors, to raise capital and form strategic partnerships in an informed and exclusive environment. The right people, the right place, at the right time.
We guarantee 6 pre-scheduled meetings with pre-screened investors and partners who have shown an interest in your business case.
Through keynotes and panel discussions, investors and industry leaders highlight the current landscape and discuss upcoming developments in venture capital, corporate venture capital, private equity and broader fund-raising ecosystem from around the Middle East.
Participate in multiple networking activities designed to facilitate additional introductions on-site with the attending investors and strategic partners.
Take the stage and pitch your opportunity to more than 150 of the region’s leading investors and strategic partners in a 3-minute presentation.
Venture capital in Japan is fundamentally corporate capital, not only in the form of corporate venture arms but also in the form of limited partners for independent VCs. More than 80% of venture investments can be traced back to corporates.
With the prospect of a declining Yen stemming from current economic policies, Japanese corporations are as anxious as ever to deploy capital to overseas investments. The Bank of Japan statistics show that the nation’s corporations have a cash pile of approximately USD 2.5 trillion laying unused.
Compared to the average IRR-hungry, unicorn-hunter VC, Japanese corporates are well known to be stable, long-term investors. Obtaining the backing of a Japanese corporate indicates confidence and stability which will translate to valuation premium in future rounds.