UTokyo IPC Invests in Abies Ventures Fund II
Funding | Apr 28, 2025 | UTokyo Innovation Platform Co
UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), a company focused on strengthening Japan's university startup ecosystem, has announced a strategic investment in Abies Ventures Fund II through its Academic Startup Acceleration (ASA) Fund. Abies Ventures, an independent venture capital firm founded in 2017 and managed by Co-Managing Partners Fuyuki Yamaguchi and Sota Nagano, focuses on investing in deep-tech startups. These startups leverage advanced technologies, including robotics, AI, climate tech, and space tech, enhancing the ecosystem through strategic support and global market entry resources. This alignment in strategy, especially in proactive global expansion, prompted UTokyo IPC to invest in Abies Ventures Fund II. The ASA Fund, which operates under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Global Innovation with STARTUPS initiative, supports university-affiliated startups to drive forward Japan's innovation ecosystem.
Sectors
- Venture Capital
- Deep Technology
- Academic Entrepreneurship
Geography
- Japan – The activities, investments, and strategic initiatives mentioned are based in Japan, targeting the Japanese university startup ecosystem.
Industry
- Venture Capital – The article discusses the investment into a venture capital fund, specifically Abies Ventures Fund II, which targets deep-tech startups.
- Deep Technology – The focus is on investments in startups specializing in advanced technologies such as AI and robotics, identifying deep-tech as a key area of growth.
- Academic Entrepreneurship – UTokyo IPC and the ASA Fund are centered around fostering startups that originate from universities, aligning with current trends in academic entrepreneurship.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. | Investor | Company | A firm dedicated to supporting university startups, employing investments to enhance the Japanese innovation ecosystem. |
| Abies Ventures, Inc. | Managee (Fund Manager) | Company | An independent venture capital firm focusing on deep-tech startups, providing hands-on support to facilitate global market entries. |
| Kosuke Ueda | President & CEO of UTokyo IPC | Person | Leader of UTokyo IPC, guiding investments in the university startup sector. |
| Fuyuki Yamaguchi | Co-Managing Partner at Abies Ventures, Inc. | Person | A key leader at Abies Ventures, focusing on promoting deep-tech startups. |
| Sota Nagano | Co-Managing Partner at Abies Ventures, Inc. | Person | A leader at Abies Ventures, aiming to drive innovative deep-tech startups. |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government | Supporter | Government | Facilitates the Global Innovation with STARTUPS initiative, aiding university startup ecosystems in Japan. |