Japan’s D4V closes debut venture fund at $46m

The fund was launched in 2016 as part of a collaboration that aims to combine Ideo's design expertise and Silicon Valley networks with Genuine's financial experience. It had initially targeted a final close in 2017. Deployments will focus on early-stage Japanese start-ups looking to grow in both domestic and international markets.

“The fact that we were able to successfully raise this amount and exceed the JPY5 billion target we set for ourselves, demonstrates not only the interest of investors to nurture Japanese ventures and drive positive change but also the value proposition of D4V and the partnership with Ideo Tokyo,” Makoto Takano, CEO of D4V, said in a statement.

The GP, also known as Design for Ventures, was planned as a joint venture to be controlled 60% by Genuine and 40% by Ideo via its Tokyo office. Its core philosophy contends that design is a key business differentiator at every phase of the venture lifecycle. Value-add support includes access to Ideo’s design knowhow, which encompasses product and service development, as well as digital media consulting.

Deal targeting will be sector agnostic. Investments to date include agriculture technology company Planet Table and AirCloset, an online fashion rental service that facilitates home deliveries for boutique Japanese clothing brands. Last year, D4V joined Airbus Ventures and Sony Innovation Fund, among others, in a $7.3 million round for Infostellar, a cloud-based satellite communication technology developer.

Image: Japanexpertena, 2014 (CC BY-SA)

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