# Top 25 Social Network Startup Investors in Japan in May 2026 ## Kensuke Furukawa - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Media and Entertainment, Software Kensuke Furukawa was born in June 2, 1981. He graduated Waseda University majoring Political Science and Economics, and in 2000, he launched "Milkcafe", a student community, which has grown to a site with 10 million PV per month. In 2004, he became the CEO of Media Clip, which operates a rental bulletin board service "ShitarabaBBS". After that year, he had transfer "Shitaraba BBS" to Livedoor, and took charge of starting up the Consumer Generated Media sector. In 2006, he joined Recruit, and took charge of starting up a new business at Business development sector. In June of 2009, he left Recruit, and became the CEO of nanapi （formerly Rocket Start), which operates the How-to Site "nanapi". ## Deep30 - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kuramae, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Content Deep30 is specializing in AI technologies such as deep learning that consists of individuals connected to the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Lab, which is famous for AI research. ## B Dash Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Internet, Information Technology, E-Commerce B Dash Ventures does seed to late stage tech investments in Japan, Asia Pacific, and the U.S. LPs include Japan's largest technology companies and financial institutions including NTT Docomo, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, GREE, NEC BIGLOBE, Fuji Television, and the Japanese government. B Dash Ventures also operates an incubation space inpartnership with Mori Building Co. and holds the invitation-based B Dash Camp conference. ## Hironao Kunimitsu - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Media and Entertainment, Virtual Reality Hironao Kunimitsu was born in Hyogo, Japan. After graduating from Okayama High School, he spent several years traveling around the world. He visited over 30 countries including the US, China, India, Canada, and others in Central and South America.In 1996 he entered Fudan University in China, and then later went on to study at Santa MonicaCollege in the US. In 2004 he entered Atmovie Inc. where he produced movies and televised dramas, and was appointed company director in the same year. In 2007 he founded gumi Inc., and it started listing on first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December, 2014. ## East Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, E-Commerce East Ventures is an early stage venture capital (VC) focused on Southeast Asia, Indonesia & Japan. Success cases include Tokopedia, Traveloka, and Mercari. ## gumi Cryptos Capital (gCC) - Type: VC Fund - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Financial Services gCC (gumi Cryptos Capital) is a blockchain and cryptographic asset fund that invests in the crypto native stack from L1 to the application layer, as well as in traditional businesses supporting the ecosystem. ## D4V - Type: VC Fund - Location: Minato, Chiba, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Financial Services, Software, Fashion D4V (Design for Ventures) is a Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in disruptive, consumer and enterprise technology startups. ## Globis Capital Partners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Software Globis Capital Partners (GCP) is one of Japan's leading venture capital firms. With its unique combination of local business presence through Globis Group and the experience of Western VC experience, GCP has set new VC standards in Japan, with hands-on, and in-depth industry expertise. ## Yasuyuki Kin - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed - Focus: Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Career Planning Yasuyuki Kin ## Dentsu Digital Holdings - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B, Series A - Focus: Internet, Financial Services, Information Technology Dentsu Digital Holdings is a business management company that provides digital communication solutions and services.The company offers strategy solutions such as data capabilities in various industries, applications of cross-industry know-hows and experiences, and data analysis to identify strategic scenarios and KPI; planning solutions,including unified planning which combines mass media and real promotions, and digital creative agency services; and execution and operational solutions such as stable management framework, brand exposure management, and scenario revision based on a range of effectiveness measurement tools and databases.The company also provides internet advertising, advertising networks, and SEM services for agencies; marketing strategy planning, response management, support for direct businesses, and database marketing; marketing technology planning, development, and management; and digital and advertising agency, mobile marketing, online advertising, and interactive services.In addition, the company is engaged in the areas of digital marketing platforms and digital media, digital technology, social marketing, digital devices, and new business models using digital technology in Japan, East Asia, the United States, and Europe. It also manages venture capital funds, making strategic investments in the new IT-based communications domain.Dentsu Digital Holdings was founded in 2000 and is based in Tokyo, Japan. It operates as a subsidiary of Dentsu Inc. ## Incubate Fund - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, E-Commerce Incubate Fund is an independent early-stage venture capital that specializes in providing capital to technology startups at the seed stage. The firm built a portfolio of over 300 companies in Asia, taking 12 companies to public and 20 companies to M&A exit since 2010. ## KDDI - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Software, Mobile, Internet KDDI Corporation is a Japanese telecommunications operator. It was created in 2000 through a merger of DDI, KDD and IDO and now employs over 15,000 people.The company provides a broad range of services, including fixed-line phone communication, mobile phone and web services, and Internet services. It also has a ownership stake in two Japanesecable television companies, Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) and Japan Cablenet (JCN). KDDI's mobile phone and web arm is branded as "au". The company is the current No. 2 in Japan's mobile communications market, trailing NTT DoCoMo and ahead of SoftBank. ## Ayataro Nakagawa - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Internet, Software, Information Technology 2011 At university, participated in the founding period as a director of Atcole Co., Ltd., and started the web service experience.2012 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd., which operates a curation platform for women "MERY" .2014 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd. Sold to DeNA 2015 Jointly established Tokyo Founders Fund as an angel investor and startedinvesting in startups in Japan and overseas 2019 Appointed outside director of FIREBUG Co., Ltd. ## Ryo Ishizuka - Type: Angel - Location: San Francisco, California, United States - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: SNS, Beauty, Content Ryo Ishizuka is the co-founder and CEO of Mercari, a hassle-free peer-to-peer mobile marketplace app. After founding the company in Japan and following its successful launch, Ryo leads Mercari's international expansion as the company grows globally. Prior to founding Mercari, Ryo was the Chief Architect at RockYou, a Silicon Valley startupbacked by Sequoia. At RockYou, he was responsible for developing the core infrastructures to support its rapidly growing traffic, serving more than 20 billion PVs per month. He later served as COO at RockYou Asia to lead its Asian expansion. Born in Japan and raised in the US, Ryo has spent his life constantly moving and building bridges between the two countries. ## Kazuhiro Ishikura - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Beauty, Content, Fashion Kazuhiro Ishikura served as the head of the Akatsuki Business Management Department in 2013 and as a corporate auditor of Akatsuki in 2014, contributing to the company's listing on the TSE Mothers and TSE 1st sections. Appointed 3minute CFO in 2015, engaged in business start-up and organizational design, and succeeded in large-scale M & Adeal with Glee. After leaving the company, he became a WARC director in November 2018. Certified public accountant. ## Startia - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Corporate Round - Focus: Social Network, Software, Events Startia provides web, network, and business solutions in Japan and internationally. It sells e-book production software, and CMS, and other web applications, as well as offers web-related outsourced production and development, web traffic consulting, and other services. The company also provides server rental and maintenance services, which areessential to have Web access and for e-mail, sell network equipment and other information communication equipment, act as intermediary with Internet service providers, and offer other services. In addition, it sells, installs, and repairs business phones and multi-function printers; designs office layouts with an emphasis on the communications environment; and provides network consulting services, including fiber optics and OTOKU line services. ## Genesia Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Content Genesia Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on seed/early-stage startups in Japan and Southeast Asia. ## Yuto Nagatomo - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: SNS, Sports, Content Yuto Nagatomo - President, CEO, and Founder @ Cuore Co., Ltd. ## Kazuma Ieiri - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Content, Fashion, Recruiting Born in 1978 and raised in Fukuoka prefecture, Kazuma founded paperboy&co. inc. (currently GMO Pepabo) and went on to become the youngest CEO ever (at the time) to take a company public in Japan by taking paperboy&co. public on the JASDAQ Japanese stock exchange. After leaving paperboy&co, he continued his startup trail by foundingBASE, CAMPFIRE, and XIMERA. Kazuma also dabbled in the food services industry via the founding of On The Corner (a cafe) and is active in the startup investment scene. He also started the Liverty-house project which attempts to create shared housing for young people in need. ## Archetype Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Machine Learning Archetype Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in B2B Tech seed and early stage venture investments. ## Yuma Umeda - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A - Focus: Gift, Internet, Software Yuma Umeda ## Kamata Tomihisa - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Fitness, Medical, Genetics Dr. Kamada earned his Ph.D. at the University of Tokyo. In 1984, he pursued his journey to establish his own business that focused on information appliances and mobile software, namely ACCESS Co., Ltd.. With great success, the company entered the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market in 2001. He left ACCESS Co., Ltd. in 2011, and founded TomyK Ltd.in 2012 where he supports startups possessing revolutionary business ideas that revitalize the Japanese economy. ## ITOCHU Technology Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B, Series A - Focus: E-Commerce, Software, Information Technology ITOCHU Technology Ventures (ITV), based in Tokyo, is the venture capital arm of ITOCHU Corporation. ITOCHU is one of the world's largest corporations with offices in over 80 countries and operations that cover a broad spectrum of industries. ITV's mission is to invest and help build leading information technology companies by leveraging avast array of resources both domestically and internationally throughout ITOCHU and its group companies. The ITOCHU group has a long history of funding information technology companies with successes including Siebel Systems, NVIDIA, Openwave and Aruba Networks. Current portfolio includes, Box, Fab, Ooyala, WHILL, Tokyo Otaku Mode, etc. ## Hiroaki Kitano - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel, Debt Financing - Focus: Health Care, Information Technology, Fitness Hiroaki Kitano is the SVP at Softbank Mobile. He attended Waseda University. ## Kentaro Ruichi - Type: Angel - Relevant deals: 1 Ruichi Kentaro is an Angel Investor. # About Shizune Shizune.co is an investor database. Core features: - 48,091 startup investors (angels, VCs, accelerators, and others) - Email, phone, LinkedIn (for intros), socials, and other contact data - Updated daily from public funding news - CSV and Excel export The User can access the full database FOR FREE after signing up: shizune.co