Venture Labo Innovation Launches a Mega Trend Fund Focused on Economic Security and Technology

Venture Labo Innovation Launches Mega Trend Fund

In a significant move for the investment landscape, Venture Labo Innovation has announced the formation of a Mega Trend Fund aimed at investing in the realms of economic security, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology. Set to commence operations on April 1, 2026, this fund addresses the increasing geopolitical risks and competition for technological supremacy that companies and nations face today.

Background

The importance of economic security is now more prominent than ever, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and the race for technological dominance. AI technologies, which enhance decision-making capabilities, blockchain’s promise of trustworthiness, and the digital infrastructure that supports these advancements, are critical areas directly linked to both security and industrial competitiveness. However, in Japan, the supply of risk capital and the ecosystem for creating businesses in these sectors remain underdeveloped.

Investment Strategy

The Mega Trend Fund will primarily focus its investments on:

- Technologies related to economic security, including cybersecurity, communications, and data infrastructure.
- Artificial Intelligence, particularly in applications for defense, industrial use, decision-making support, and automation.
- Blockchain, involving digital assets, payment infrastructure, and traceability solutions.

Unlike typical funding approaches that simply offer capital, this fund emphasizes execution support through collaboration with contributed companies. This includes assistance in business development, access to customer bases, and designing capital strategies.

Fund Features

This fund stands out due to its collaborative framework involving financial institutions, consulting firms, and various businesses. The strengths include:

- Business Development Based on Real Demand: Utilizing the customer bases and business assets of invested companies for new business creation.
- Cross-Industry Network: An extensive collaboration system across multiple sectors such as finance, IT, and manufacturing.
- Regulatory and Policy Awareness: Investment decisions made with an understanding of relevant systems and regulations in economic security.

Remarks from the CEO

Daiji Yamanaka, CEO of Venture Labo Innovation, stated, "Technologies like communications, data, and AI are evolving into fundamental bases that impact not only industrial competitiveness but also national security itself. This fund aims to recognize these structural changes as 'mega trends', propelling Japan's technologies and industries to the next stage. Through collaboration with invested companies, we will not only invest but also create businesses that are actually implemented in society."

Future Outlook

Through this fund, Venture Labo Innovation plans to accelerate investments in promising startups both domestically and internationally, fostering new business creations in partnership with these companies and contributing to the enhancement of Japan’s industrial competitiveness.