SMBC Venture Capital

Established in 2005, SMBC Venture Capital is a Tokyo-based corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. It invests primarily in early-stage companies operating within the information technology, life sciences, services, and manufacturing sectors.

Furuta Daiji

Managing Director

Keita Kawato

Deputy General Manager

Tetsuji Nakano

Deputy General Manager

Akira Ochiai

President and CEO

Hiroya Ota

Executive Officer

Past deals in Digital Marketing

NEL

Series B in 2024
NEL is a creative agency and platform that connects brands with consumers through purchases and social media posts. It operates by enabling creator-powered marketing, supporting growth and monetization for brands and creators. The company focuses on marketing planning and distribution, leveraging a network of creators on a short-film platform centered on social media to expand the value-added economy.

Good News

Venture Round in 2024
Good News is a staffing agency that specializes in recruitment consulting services, offering comprehensive support to businesses in their hiring processes. The company provides a range of services, including media selection, advertisement production, and effectiveness verification following job postings. Additionally, Good News develops recruitment public relations strategies to enhance employer branding and attract quality candidates. By facilitating the entire recruitment process and focusing on employee training, Good News aims to foster a collaborative work environment where businesses can effectively connect with and hire talent.

MOV

Series B in 2024
Mov is a web design company that operates a store support business focused on helping companies manage their store information centrally. The company's platform offers market data related to stores and expertise in digital marketing, allowing clients to efficiently manage their store data. Mov's services include bulk management of store information and tools for visualizing and analyzing customer feedback, enabling businesses to enhance their customer outreach and improve overall store performance.

Micoworks

Series B in 2023
Micoworks is a marketing tool that facilitates communication and optimizes the customer experience through personalization.

NEL

Series A in 2023
NEL is a creative agency and platform that connects brands with consumers through purchases and social media posts. It operates by enabling creator-powered marketing, supporting growth and monetization for brands and creators. The company focuses on marketing planning and distribution, leveraging a network of creators on a short-film platform centered on social media to expand the value-added economy.

Good Vibes Only

Series A in 2021
Good Vibes Only Inc. is a consulting firm based in Shibuya, Japan, specializing in digital transformation and direct-to-consumer (D2C) services. Established in 2018, the company focuses on the apparel industry, offering a range of services that include product planning, development, manufacturing, public relations, and sales. Good Vibes Only operates an apparel digital transformation platform that leverages web3 technology to enhance merchandise planning and demand forecasting. By utilizing digital samples and artificial intelligence, the company aims to innovate supply chain processes in the apparel sector, facilitating regular access to new apparel in the web3 space for its clients.

Brandit

Series A in 2021
Brandit is a fashion technology company that enables direct-to-consumer brands through end-to-end services and a digital platform. It provides in-house production, inventory management, marketing, analytics, and logistics to support brand creation, scaling, and operations in the fashion sector. The Brandit system and its apparel EC platform allow developers and brands to manage development, production, sales, distribution, and channel-level costs and commissions from a single interface to optimize profitability. The company also manages D2C brands such as TRUNC 88 and originated as a spin-off connected with Candee, focusing on brand incubation and digital transformation to help fashion businesses launch and grow in a direct-to-consumer environment.

beBit

Venture Round in 2020
Founded in 2000, beBit is a Tokyo-based consulting firm specializing in customer experience management and user-centered design services. It assists enterprises in identifying digital trends, analyzing user behavior shifts, and creating feasible digital solutions and omnichannel strategies.

NetOn

Venture Round in 2019
NetOn, Inc. is a consulting and recruitment firm based in Osaka, Japan, founded in 2004. The company specializes in providing cloud-based hiring solutions tailored for the Chinese market. Its services encompass web marketing consulting, assistance in creating recruitment-focused websites, and managing applicant information to streamline the hiring process. By enabling businesses to attract job applicants directly through their own platforms rather than relying on traditional job advertisements, NetOn aims to enhance recruitment efficiency and effectiveness. The firm offers comprehensive support, facilitating corporate management and monitoring recruitment status to better serve its clients' hiring needs.

toBe marketing

Venture Round in 2019
ToBe Marketing Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based information technology company founded in 2015, specializing in client management systems and marketing automation. The company offers consulting services to help businesses integrate marketing technology with customer relationship management, aiming to enhance engagement between companies and their customers. ToBe Marketing provides a suite of tools that support various marketing and sales operations, including social media collaboration, email distribution, and salesforce integration. By focusing on the effective use of digital technology, ToBe Marketing empowers clients to improve their marketing outcomes and drive sales growth.

MIL

Venture Round in 2019
MIL Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in interactive video and movie production as well as product development services. The company focuses on a variety of video marketing solutions, including video commerce, online-to-offline (O2O) initiatives, recruitment videos, and landing videos. By integrating innovative video content into marketing strategies, MIL aims to enhance engagement and drive results for its clients.

PATRA Japan

Venture Round in 2019
PATRA Japan operates a shopping platform that specializes in selling corporate brand products created by influencers, alongside its in-house brands. The platform not only streamlines the ordering process but also integrates product databases, logistics, and essential sales and marketing tools for effective brand management. Additionally, PATRA serves as a trend media outlet, particularly for women, delivering the latest fashion trends to an audience of over one million followers on Instagram. Through this dual role as a marketplace and a trend source, PATRA connects consumers with both innovative products and relevant fashion information.

Pathee

Series A in 2018
Pathee is an innovative search engine designed to provide users with tailored information based on their current location. By utilizing advanced location detection technology, the platform connects individuals with local retail options and relevant services. It offers a suite of digital marketing tools that enhance the interaction between consumers and the retail community. Through its services, Pathee enables users to access pertinent search results and discover shopping locations, while also providing retail chains with platforms for digital promotions and media optimization. This comprehensive approach supports both consumer needs and retail marketing efforts, facilitating a more efficient and targeted shopping experience.

PATRA Japan

Venture Round in 2018
PATRA Japan operates a shopping platform that specializes in selling corporate brand products created by influencers, alongside its in-house brands. The platform not only streamlines the ordering process but also integrates product databases, logistics, and essential sales and marketing tools for effective brand management. Additionally, PATRA serves as a trend media outlet, particularly for women, delivering the latest fashion trends to an audience of over one million followers on Instagram. Through this dual role as a marketplace and a trend source, PATRA connects consumers with both innovative products and relevant fashion information.

Cozre

Venture Round in 2017
Cozre is a media company that offers digital marketing support, DX solutions, and marketing research services for child-rearing households.

toBe marketing

Series B in 2017
ToBe Marketing Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based information technology company founded in 2015, specializing in client management systems and marketing automation. The company offers consulting services to help businesses integrate marketing technology with customer relationship management, aiming to enhance engagement between companies and their customers. ToBe Marketing provides a suite of tools that support various marketing and sales operations, including social media collaboration, email distribution, and salesforce integration. By focusing on the effective use of digital technology, ToBe Marketing empowers clients to improve their marketing outcomes and drive sales growth.

SMARTCAMP

Series B in 2017
Smart Camp is a technology company that offers SaaS comparison services, inside sales agency support, and B2B digital marketing solutions.

Logly

Venture Round in 2015
Logly is a Japan-based technology company that specializes in media technology, advertising technology, and data marketing. It operates Logly Lift, an advertising service platform that delivers corporate content to users through media and brand recognition, as well as Loyalfarm, an audience engagement tool, and Zenback, a widget that aggregates article data from across the web. The company primarily serves advertisers and distributors, focusing on helping brands reach audiences and measure engagement through its suite of advertising and data tools.

Plus-D

Venture Round in 2015
Plus-D is a design agency focused on addressing challenges faced by companies in digital creative and communication design. The company specializes in planning and combining mass media with real media, particularly in digital environments like websites, smartphone applications, and social networking services. Plus-D boasts a diverse creative team that includes designers, engineers, and copywriters, and it leverages external networks of creators to manage projects from initial planning and design through to production. By offering services in advertising, production, and content creation, Plus-D aims to enhance client communication activities and foster stronger connections between brands and users, ultimately creating meaningful experience value.

Plus-D

Venture Round in 2015
Plus-D is a design agency focused on addressing challenges faced by companies in digital creative and communication design. The company specializes in planning and combining mass media with real media, particularly in digital environments like websites, smartphone applications, and social networking services. Plus-D boasts a diverse creative team that includes designers, engineers, and copywriters, and it leverages external networks of creators to manage projects from initial planning and design through to production. By offering services in advertising, production, and content creation, Plus-D aims to enhance client communication activities and foster stronger connections between brands and users, ultimately creating meaningful experience value.

Hunglead

Venture Round in 2014
Hunglead is a company that specializes in enhancing the efficiency of online retail operations through its innovative cloud-based solutions. The firm offers a centralized management system known as the Robot Series, which simplifies various complex tasks associated with running multiple online stores. This system supports improvements in key areas such as inventory management, product management, order management, customer management, and advertisement management. By streamlining these processes, Hunglead enables online retailers to operate more effectively and focus on growth.

Logly

Venture Round in 2013
Logly is a Japan-based technology company that specializes in media technology, advertising technology, and data marketing. It operates Logly Lift, an advertising service platform that delivers corporate content to users through media and brand recognition, as well as Loyalfarm, an audience engagement tool, and Zenback, a widget that aggregates article data from across the web. The company primarily serves advertisers and distributors, focusing on helping brands reach audiences and measure engagement through its suite of advertising and data tools.

AdInnovation

Venture Round in 2013
AdInnovation Inc. is a mobile advertising solutions provider based in Tokyo, Japan, operating since its founding in 2010. The company focuses on delivering marketing strategies specifically for smartphone applications across various regions, including Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. AdInnovation offers services such as HITRACKING, which enables mobile app and ad tracking through a single SDK, and AdStore, designed to measure advertising effectiveness. Additionally, the company specializes in mobile advertising marketing promotion, implementation, management, tracking, media site monetization, and media consulting. By providing effective promotional methods for applications, AdInnovation aims to help enterprises maximize their advertising potential and achieve significant user engagement and revenue growth.

Research and Innovation

Seed Round in 2013
Research and Innovation Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based market research company established in 2011, specializing in providing marketing research and information services through the Internet. The company offers a range of services, including barcode research, promotional programs, brand image association surveys, and consumer investigations. Its platforms, under the CODE and Mycomment brands, facilitate insights into consumer behavior, promotional effectiveness, and market trends. Research and Innovation serves diverse sectors such as food, beauty, retail, finance, and entertainment, helping clients understand consumer preferences and improve their strategies. By utilizing data analysis, the company empowers businesses to anticipate market trends and enhance revenue growth.

Metaps

Series A in 2011
Metaps operates three core businesses: finance services including cashless payments, digital marketing solutions, and SaaS platforms for data analysis.

All Ads

Venture Round in 2008
All Ads is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in digital marketing services aimed at enhancing the cost-effectiveness of advertising for business professionals. The company focuses on lifetime value (LTV) marketing, integrating data, technology, and consulting to optimize advertising strategies. In addition to LTV marketing, All Ads provides in-house media management and licensing services, which encompass affiliate advertising consulting, operational advertising consulting, and roundtable discussions. The company's mission is to support the growth of advertisers by improving their advertising performance and overall business outcomes.

Adways

Venture Round in 2005
Adways, headquartered in Tokyo and founded in 2001, specializes in mobile marketing solutions and advertising services. The company is renowned for its mobile cost-per-install (CPI) ad network, AppDriver, and its app measurement tool, PartyTrack, which are widely utilized by major app developers globally. Since opening its first overseas office in China in 2004, Adways has significantly expanded its reach across Asian markets, operating in 11 countries, including Japan, China, Korea, and India, and employing around 1,000 individuals. The firm supports app developers in enhancing user acquisition and monetization while continuously striving to deliver new value to the market. Adways also engages in the development and management of mobile applications and media content, alongside its internet advertising services. Haruhisa Okamura, the founder and CEO, has transformed Adways from a small startup into an international corporation, gaining recognition for his entrepreneurial achievements.

Adways

Venture Round in 2005
Adways, headquartered in Tokyo and founded in 2001, specializes in mobile marketing solutions and advertising services. The company is renowned for its mobile cost-per-install (CPI) ad network, AppDriver, and its app measurement tool, PartyTrack, which are widely utilized by major app developers globally. Since opening its first overseas office in China in 2004, Adways has significantly expanded its reach across Asian markets, operating in 11 countries, including Japan, China, Korea, and India, and employing around 1,000 individuals. The firm supports app developers in enhancing user acquisition and monetization while continuously striving to deliver new value to the market. Adways also engages in the development and management of mobile applications and media content, alongside its internet advertising services. Haruhisa Okamura, the founder and CEO, has transformed Adways from a small startup into an international corporation, gaining recognition for his entrepreneurial achievements.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.