JAFCO Group

Formerly known as Japan Associated Finance, JAFCO is a long-established independent venture capital firm that seeks early to middle stage investments in promising venture businesses globally. Based in Tokyo, JAFCO allocates a significant proportion of its capital to venture investments in Japan, targeting innovative companies with a new business model or cutting-edge technology. Domestically, It also makes buyout investments catering to the needs of companies facing business succession issues or looking to divest their non-core businesses. The firm remains sector agnostic, while its investments are largely concentrated in IT-related sectors including IT service, software and electronics. JAFCO invests in the US and the rest of Asia through the venture funds managed locally by its subsidiaries, namely Icon Ventures and JAFCO Asia. Icon Ventures participates in Series B/C funding based on its strong ties with top-tier VCs, while JAFCO Asia targets early to growth stage technology ventures in China, Taiwan, and Singapore. In 2018, JAFCO has transformed its business structure from the conventional corporate model to a more individual-oriented partnership model to clarify its commitment to entrepreneurs and fund investors. The newly appointed six partners are responsible for overall fund management and involved in all investment decisions.