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Investment

We mainly invest in early-stage startups, ranging from seed to later stage, in various fields.

Deals
700+
Invested
¥100B+

Track Record

We have been achieving the level of deal count that is among the best in the world. In 2021, we invested a total of JPY 20.15 billion in 125 deals, which is the company’s record high.

Year
Deals
Amount (JPY)
2021
125
20.1B
2020
107
14.2B
2019
107
10.6B

Domains

We invest in various domains with a focus on DeepTech, commerce, and enterprise.

FinTech
19%
Healthcare
16%
Agri/Food Tech
10%
IoT
10%
AI
9%
Commerce
9%
Enterprise
6%
Media
6%
Other
15%

* Figures are results for 2021.

Regions

We invest in startups all over the world with a focus on Asia including Japan, North America, and Europe. In 2021, we started investing in Africa.

64%

Japan

19%

Europe

8%

USA

8%

Asia

1%

Africa

* Figures are results for 2021.

Investment Process

For a fairer investment for entrepreneurs, Global Brain is changing the investment process to be more transparent and conducted in a shorter period of time.

We disclose the overall process from the initial interview, share the progress status as needed, and decide/execute the investment in 1 month at the earliest.

* Depending on investment conditions, timing, involving funds, it may take more time before investment examination and the process may be different.

Investment examined in
1 Month at the earliest
Investment range
¥30M – ¥5B

Step 01Initial ExaminationUp to 2 weeks

Initial interview

Our capitalists ask the startup details of its business, products/services, and expected support.

Build/verify investment hypothesis

Based on the interview, we assess the startup’s marketability/competitiveness/technology and conduct reference checks with existing customers. Also, we examine and propose how we can support the startup to maximize post-investment support.

Pre-review Committee

After building/verifying the investment hypothesis, we decide on whether to proceed to full-scale examination.

Step 02Full-scale Examination1 to 3 weeks

Due Diligence (DD)

Various aspects of DD include legal affairs, finance, intellectual property, labor, HR, IT, ESG, etc. During this process, we identify issues to be solved for startup’s future growth and seek how we can practically and technically support the startup.

Submit term sheet

We submit a term sheet including the summary of major conditions in the contract to be used for investment negotiations.

Executive Presentation

Startup’s executive gives a presentation on the business directly to the Investment Committee members.

Step 03Decision Making1 week

Decide on investment

After the whole due diligence is completed, we make a decision at the Investment Committee. The investment agreement is prepared in this phase.

Execute investment/start support

We execute the investment as soon as we decide to invest and start to provide specific support for further business growth.

ESG Policy

Global Brain believes that addressing ESG issues is important not only for the investment performance of the fund, but also for portfolio companies to continue to grow and increase their corporate value after an exit event. We have a policy to support ESG issues of portfolio companies.

Environment: Follow relevant environment-related laws and regulations, and make an effort to operate businesses considering their effects on climate change, waste pollution, and biodiversity.

Social: Endeavour to build good relationships with employees, business partners and local communities.

Governance: Maintain transparency, prevent all forms of corruption, including extortion and briber.

Background

In recent years, ESG-conscious business operations have become essential for sustainable management & development of the business. We have formulated our ESG policy as we believe that developing an awareness about ESG issues from an early stage of a company’s lifecycle will lead to business growth and increase in corporate value over the long term.

How ESG Policy is applied

  • The ESG Policy is applied as appropriate in accordance with our investment strategy in each phase of Global Brain’s investment examination process, including screening, DD, and hands-on support after investment. Since Global Brain’s investment targets range from seed stage to later stages, we conduct ESG-related interviews on the candidate and existing portfolio companies, using our proprietary indicators based on the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact, depending on the stage of each company.
  • The ESG Policy is used in investment decisions, aiming to improve the welfare of the business from such ESG perspectives.
  • As Global Brain has strong hands-on value up supports, we will provide ESG related supports conscious of which start up business stage such portfolio company is in.

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