#Japan #Tokyo #CARTA HOLDINGS #VOYAGE CAPITAL #Shinsuke Usami

Shinsuke Usami Launches VOYAGE CAPITAL

In May 2026, Shinsuke Usami, the former CEO of CARTA HOLDINGS, took a significant step in his career by founding VOYAGE CAPITAL, a private equity (PE) firm headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. The company plans to establish its first fund, aiming to reach a target of 1 billion yen by the end of 2026. This move marks a new chapter for Usami, who has a long history in the investment landscape of Japan.

Background and Philosophy of VOYAGE CAPITAL

Usami began his entrepreneurial journey during the dawn of the internet age in 1999 with the establishment of Axiv.com, which later became VOYAGE GROUP. His career has been a remarkable journey through various capital transactions, including forming partnerships with CyberAgent, managing an MBO, and overseeing a successful IPO. Usami's experience culminated in the creation of CARTA HOLDINGS through the integration of CCI, a subsidiary of Dentsu, and ultimately, a significant TOB by NTT Docomo, resulting in CARTA’s transition to a non-listed entity.

Today, many startups and publicly traded companies in Japan possess strong business foundations and potential but struggle to gain recognition in the capital markets. Acknowledging this issue, VOYAGE CAPITAL aims to differentiate itself from traditional PE firms. Usami describes VOYAGE CAPITAL as “a PE fund that is not merely a PE fund,” focusing on long-term growth rather than short-term capital gains. By forming deep partnerships with business leaders, the firm seeks to optimize capital structure and leverage appropriately to support sustained growth.

A Message from Usami Shinsuke

Usami underscores the transformative impact of technology, particularly AI, on investment strategies and the private equity model. He asserts that traditional financial models and short-term exit strategies are losing relevance in a rapidly changing landscape characterized by uncertainty. “What matters is managing both the business and the people/organization as interconnected entities,” he states.

He emphasizes that VOYAGE CAPITAL will not merely be a provider of funds. Instead, the firm will leverage its extensive knowledge in business and organizational development to guide its portfolio companies, focusing on maximizing long-term potential rather than immediate profits. “By unlocking the potential of individuals, we aim to strengthen and enrich Japan's industrial foundation, contributing to the nation's economic growth,” Usami adds.

Shinsuke Usami's Career Overview

• - Name: Shinsuke Usami
• - Education: Graduated from Waseda University’s School of Commerce
• - Career Path: After his tenure at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting, Usami founded Axiv.com in 1999. Following an MBO from CyberAgent in 2012, he led the company to a successful IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Mothers market in 2014, advancing to the First Section the next year. In 2019, he merged with CCI, taking the helm as Chairman of CARTA HOLDINGS. Following a TOB by NTT Docomo in 2025, the company went private, and Usami stepped down as CEO. He currently serves as an outside director for companies like iStyle, Mirative, and SmartNews.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: VOYAGE CAPITAL Co., Ltd.
• - CEO: Shinsuke Usami
• - Business Activities: Private equity investment, management consulting, and community/partnership operations for portfolio companies
• - Established: May 2026
• - Website: voyagecapital.co.jp

With a focus on long-term partnership and growth, VOYAGE CAPITAL represents a modern approach to private equity in Japan, paving the way for innovation and sustainable success in the investment sector.