Incubate Fund Asia, a Japanese venture capital fund specializing in seed-stage investments, has recently concluded the initial closing of its third fund, targeting a corpus of $50 million (around ₹416 crore).
The fund aims to deploy its capital to support early-stage startups and provide follow-on funding to those demonstrating robust growth potential. Approximately 40% of the investment capital will be allocated initially to build a diverse portfolio of around 20 startups, with the remainder reserved for backing the most promising ventures within the portfolio.
Extensive Reach and Rebranding
Incubate Fund Group maintains a global presence with offices in strategic locations worldwide, including Tokyo, Singapore, Bangalore, Mumbai, São Paulo, and Mountain View. Notable investments in their portfolio encompass companies such as Captain Fresh, Yulu, ShopKirana, and Plum, among others.
In a strategic move, the India-focused entity of Incubate Fund has been rebranded as Incubate Fund Asia. This rebranding underscores the organization’s commitment to aligning its brand identity with its broader vision and extensive footprint within the Asian startup ecosystem.
Vision for Empowering Startups
Nao Murakami, Founder and General Partner of Incubate Fund Asia, emphasizes the fund’s mission to empower startups and drive innovation across Asia. The successful closure of the $50 million fund will enable the fund to bolster its support for emerging ventures, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.
Track Record of Support
Incubate Fund Asia has been instrumental in backing 27 Indian companies to date, including notable players like ShopKirana and Captain Fresh. Sumit Ghorawat, Co-founder of ShopKirana, lauds Incubate Fund Asia for its unwavering support and valuable guidance throughout the startup journey.
Sectoral Diversity and Investment Range
The fund’s investments span diverse sectors, encompassing B2B, B2C, supply chain, and consumer tech, operating across Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets. Incubate Fund Asia’s contributions have facilitated business digitization and innovation, with investment amounts ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
In 2019, Incubate Fund introduced Fund II, valued at $18 million (approximately ₹149 crore), further underscoring its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation in India and across Asia.
