Japanese venture investor Global Brain has announced the launch of two new funds with a combined corpus of 50 billion yen ($440 million) that will invest in next-generation global startups.
The VC firm launched GB-VIII Growth Fund Investment Limited (GB-VIII) with a target of 40 billion yen, including a parallel vehicle for overseas investors.
It also launched GB-VI & GB-VII Follow-on Growth Fund Investment Limited Partnership (GB-VI & VII Follow-on) with a target size of 10 billion yen.
The two new vehicles seek to support and foster global and innovative startups. It made the first closing of the two funds in September, with commitments from existing institutional investors.
New investors have also participated in GB-VIII as limited partners, including existing major institutional investors such as pension funds and financial institutions, according to the announcement.
Through GB-VIII, Global Brain said it hopes to create new industries through business development and collaboration via open innovation between large corporations and leading startups.
The firm said it will leverage its global network to invest not only in Japan but also in the US, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Israel.
Global Brain expects to back a broad range of startups, including startups in sectors such as IT, deep tech, latest technologies, and business models addressing social issues.
“We leverage our network of local VCs, accelerators, and government agencies to invest in companies at the growth stage – Series A or later. We support the local startups expanding the business to Japan and other countries in the region,” the company said on its website.
Early this month, the firm made an additional investment BitStar, a company that deploys creator support business for YouTubers and TikTokers, through GB-VI & VII Follow-on vehicle.
Recently, the firm invested in Rentio Inc, a startup appliance trial service provider, through its Kuroneko Innovation Fund, and made an additional investment in Soft Gear, an online game developer and a server library provider, through KDDI Open Innovation Fund III.