Growth hub #4 : Demystifying JCVC for entrepreneurs
How to Navigate Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in Japan
Shibuya Startup Support invites you to the 4th session of our Growth Hub series — a unique event designed to provide practical insights for global founders expanding into Japan.
This session features Taro Yokoyama, Corporate Venture Capitalist (CVC) at Toyoda Gosei, a leading Japanese automotive parts manufacturer and member of the Toyota Group. Yokoyama-san will be joined by Francisco Dalla Rosa Soares, who will guide the conversation with a focus on helping foreign entrepreneurs understand and effectively engage with Japan's evolving CVC landscape.
What You’ll Learn:
📌 What is CVC — and What Makes It Unique in Japan?
Understand how corporate venture capital works in Japan and how it differs from models in the U.S. and Europe. Learn about the two major types of Japanese CVCs — fund-based and balance sheet-based — and how to recognize which is which.
📌 CVC vs. Traditional VC: What’s the Difference?
Explore the strategic vs. financial objectives of Japanese CVCs, why many avoid seed-stage deals, and how this impacts your fundraising strategy.
📌 How to Engage with Japanese CVCs as a Foreigner
Get practical advice on identifying the right partners, making the strategic case for your startup, and overcoming common challenges — from cultural barriers to decision-making timelines.
📌 Real-World Lessons
Learn from case studies and real examples of successful startups that have secured CVC investment in Japan.
🗼 About Shibuya Startup Support
Shibuya Startup Support is an initiative by the Shibuya City Office to support startups looking to launch or expand in Japan. We provide guidance, visa and incorporation support, and access to a thriving local ecosystem.
✅ By attending the event, you agree to the Service Policy and Code of Conduct.
✅ By attending this event, you consent to being photographed or recorded for use in Shibuya Startup Support communications, including our website and social media channels.
🌱 About Tokyo Startup Lunch Club
We are a group of startup founders, investors and other people related to or interested in the startup scene, who gather weekly every Tuesday at the Tokyo International Forum, starting from 11:30 AM to have lunch and share our experiences and discuss various topics in a casual environment.