Takeshi Kodama, former executive manager at 31Ventures, is one of the 100 leading corporate venturing professionals in our 2024 Powerlist.
Since Takeshi Kodama helped found 31Ventures in 2015 for Japanese real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan, the corporate venture capital unit has grown to manage more than ¥43.5bn ($280m) in capital for direct investments.
The unit also has an undisclosed budget for strategic fund-of-fund investments, having backed more than 40 VC funds located across major startup hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area, London and New York.
31Ventures’ three funds are ¥5bn Global Innovation Fund 1 (2015), ¥30bn Growth 1 Fund (2018) and ¥8.5bn Global Innovation Fund 2 (2020).
“31Ventures has more than 50 active portfolio companies and has had 15 exits for portfolio companies through IPOs and mergers and acquisitions”
Kodama was until March 2024 executive manager and head of business strategy and investment at 31Ventures. He was based in New York at the company’s US subsidiary, Mitsui Fudosan America, as director of acquisitions.
In addition to real estate and smart city technologies, 31Ventures invests in the internet of things, cybersecurity, e-commerce, financial technology, robotics, AI and clean energy. This year, the unit invested in commercial fusion reactor developer Kyoto Fusioneering and co-working space and event space management company Atomica.
31Ventures has more than 50 active portfolio companies and has had 15 exits for portfolio companies through IPOs and mergers and acquisitions.
Besides funding, the unit also helps introduce its portfolio companies to its parent company’s various business units. For instance, some of Mitsui Fudosan’s office buildings have installed cloud-based key technology Akerun, which was developed by 31Ventures’ portfolio company, Japan-based Photosynth.
Collaboration also goes beyond national borders. US perovskite solar cell developer Caelux, which received funding from 31Ventures, is looking to conduct proof-of-concept operations in Japan and Southeast Asia with Mitsui Fudosan’s assistance.
The Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist represents the 100
individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.
