MANCHESTER, N.H. & TOKYO, April 27 — Alumni Ventures, one of TIME Magazine’s Top 20 VC Firms in America, today announced the formation of strategic partnerships in Japan with KDDI, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications companies, and UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), a subsidiary of the University of Tokyo, Japan’s premier public university focused on driving innovation, to accelerate cross-border growth of startups in Japan and the United States. The launch of these relationships represents a cutting-edge strategy designed to provide a bridge between the two venture capital ecosystems, invigorating startups to collaborate on a global scale with innovative technologies and services.
The firm also announced the opening of Alumni Ventures Japan KK in the Tri-Seven Roppongi building in Tokyo, marking a significant milestone in Alumni Ventures’ Asia-Pacific growth strategy. The office is led by Michael G. Phillips, Head of Asia Pacific, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Managing Director at Alumni Ventures, who has relocated to Tokyo to spearhead the firm’s regional expansion and deepen relationships across Japan’s innovation ecosystem.
“Japan has world-class capital and world-class innovation, and the U.S. venture market has historically been difficult for Japanese institutions to access in a structured, meaningful way,” said Mike Collins, CEO, Board Chairman and Founder at Alumni Ventures. “With our permanent office in Tokyo, we are building a real bridge between two powerful venture ecosystems. We believe Japan’s innovation ecosystem is at an inflection point, and our permanent presence here will enable deeper collaboration between Japanese and U.S. founders and institutions.”
Among the firm’s strategic partners is KDDI Corporation, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications companies, and UTokyo IPC, underscoring growing interest among Japanese corporations and academic institutions in jumpstarting growth among start-ups through venture capital. Alumni Ventures is actively working with additional institutions and universities for collaboration opportunities.
“This is an excellent chance to cultivate the next generation of internationally minded venture capitalists within KDDI, who will go on to lead Japan’s startup ecosystem,” stated Tomohiko Katsuki, Managing Executive Officer, CSO & CDO, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy & Open Innovation at KDDI. “By intersecting Alumni Ventures’ world-class ecosystem with KDDI’s telecommunications infrastructure and business development expertise, we are radically accelerating the growth trajectory for innovative founders. Together with Alumni Ventures, we will continue our challenge to create the industries of tomorrow.”
Alumni Ventures’ expansion into Japan reflects the firm’s broader global growth strategy and its long-term conviction in the strength of Japan’s innovation economy. With deep technical talent, leading research institutions, strong corporate participation, and increasing momentum around entrepreneurship and startup formation, Japan represents a compelling market for long-term venture investment. Through its permanent presence in Tokyo, Alumni Ventures aims to help connect investors, founders, and institutions across two of the world’s most important innovation ecosystems.
“While global expansion is essential for Japanese deep-tech startups to realize significant growth and build a globally competitive ecosystem, achieving this is no easy task,” said Masafumi Kawai, Chief Investment Officer at UTokyo IPC. “We offer various programs to support startups’ global expansion, and believe that our strategic partnership with Alumni Ventures—which has an extensive network of overseas investors and entrepreneurs—will serve as a catalyst to accelerate these efforts.”
