EC Navi Establishes “EC Navi Ventures”, Plans To Invest In Japanese And Asian Startups

Things haven’t been looking good for many Japanese VC firms lately, but that didn’t stop Tokyo-based e-commerce company EC Navi, which today announced the establishment of a VC arm called EC Navi Ventures. EC Navi Ventures is set up as a separate company (also based in Tokyo), which is 100% owned by EC Navi. The… Continue reading EC Navi Establishes “EC Navi Ventures”, Plans To Invest In Japanese And Asian Startups

Japanese Venture Capital Investments Take Nosedive in 2009

Japan’s venture capital industry is in a very difficult situation. That’s, in a nutshell, the result of a recent Nikkei survey. According to the paper, investments from the nation’s top 20 VC firms dropped a whopping 40% in fiscal 2009 to $711 million. Compared to 2007, that’s even 50% less. To be more concrete, the… Continue reading Japanese Venture Capital Investments Take Nosedive in 2009

Ngi Group Cuts Off Over 50% Employees

Ngi Group, one of the most active venture capital firm in Japanese web industry, also known as their successful early investment to the Japan’s largest social network Mixi, declared their downsizing plan in February. When the rationalization plan [J, pdf] was reported at first by Nikkei Net, it was said that they were asking solicit… Continue reading Ngi Group Cuts Off Over 50% Employees

Tokyo2point0 event: Venture Capital in Japan and blogging/Ecommerce platform LIMS

This month’s Tokyo2point0 event drew a huge crowd this week on Tuesday. Again, two presentations were held between and before networking sessions. Venture Capital for Tech Startups My friend Aki Ohashi from ngi capital, the investment arm of ngi group (an investor in and operator of -mostly Asian- Tech companies) spoke about the current state… Continue reading Tokyo2point0 event: Venture Capital in Japan and blogging/Ecommerce platform LIMS