#Japan #Tokyo #debt financing #Deep Tech #Funds Startups

Debt Financing Gateway Event Set for May 8, 2025

Funds Startups, a company based in Shibuya, Tokyo, specializing in venture debt for financial institutions, is excited to announce a groundbreaking event: the Debt Financing Gateway. Scheduled as a side event of Japan's largest deep tech conference, TECHNIUM Global Conference, this event will take place on May 8, 2025.

In collaboration with Beyond Next Ventures, this event is designed specifically for deep tech startups (DTSUs) and will provide insights on leveraging venture debt and other forms of debt financing. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with key figures from six prominent financial institutions that are actively funding DTSUs, as they present their strategies and offerings in a reverse pitch format. This unique approach is expected to foster collaboration between startup leaders and financial experts, culminating in matchmaking sessions post-event.

Unique Offering in the Japanese Market

This Debt Financing Gateway event is particularly noteworthy because such dedicated events focused on venture debt for DTSUs are rare in Japan. It represents a pioneering effort in the industry, aimed at enhancing the support systems for deep tech ventures.

With venture debt generally being a challenging area for financing, Funds Startups is committed to addressing these needs by focusing on deep tech—a sector known for its high potential but equally high funding challenges. In 2024, the company was registered as a specified financial institution under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's debt guarantee system for deep tech ventures, marking a major milestone as the first independent venture debt fund to receive this designation.

Expanding Support for Deep Tech

The organization has sought to strengthen its capacity to support deep tech startups by onboarding advisors such as Dr. Shuhei Fujimoto from Shizuoka University, specializing in social health science, and Tetsuya Kurihara, who brings extensive experience from investing in and managing biotech ventures. Through these collaborations, Funds Startups has developed a robust framework for guiding deep tech innovations toward funding opportunities.

During the Startup World Cup 2023 competition, Funds Startups supported Iris Co., Ltd., which developed Japan's first AI-based medical device, contributing to their success in the global arena. Additionally, collaboration with Eitarink Co., Ltd., a spin-off from Stanford University working on wireless power transmission to create a wireless “digital world,” has also highlighted the effectiveness of venture debt in fueling innovation.

Educational Initiatives

To further promote the proper utilization of debt financing in deep tech, Funds Startups has also been actively engaged in educational efforts, such as publishing informative notes on the application of venture debt by startups in this scientific domain. The company is dedicated to expanding financial resources and fostering industry growth by sharing knowledge and best practices related to venture debt.

Event Details

When: May 8, 2025, from 14:00 to 15:30

Where: Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

Recommended Participants:

• - CEOs of DTSUs looking for funding
• - Venture capitalists and corporate investors already involved with DTSUs
• - Financial institutions interested in providing funds to DTSUs
• - Support organizations assisting DTSUs

Debuting with a limit of 40 participants, registration is required through the event page: Register here. Please note that participation in this side event requires a ticket to the TECHNIUM Global Conference.

About Funds Startups

Founded in December 2023, Funds Startups aims to create systems that enable socially impactful startups to achieve their ideal growth trajectories. Fully owned by Funds Corporation, the company operates as a General Partner in the Funds Venture Debt Fund, focusing on venture debt assistance and management of financial services. Going forward, the company plans to diversify funding methods for startups while establishing itself as an investment banking sector tailored to startups. More information is available on their official site.