Tokyo University of Science Investment Management is among the limited partners of Fiducia Growth Tech Fund, which has now achieved a first close of $28.3m.

Fiducia, a Japan-based investment firm, has achieved a first close of ¥3.26bn ($28.3m) for its inaugural fund thanks to limited partners including Tokyo University of Science’s subsidiary Tokyo University of Science Investment Management, according to DealStreetAsia.

Fiducia Growth Tech Fund has also attracted AI Capital, Nanto Bank and Pavilion Capital. The firm will continue fundraising activities for approximately one year, but a target size was not revealed.

The fund will focus on deeptech and healthcare companies, having identified a lack of growth capital in the sector in Japan.

Fiducia was co-founded by Tokihiko Shimizu, a former board member of logistics company Japan Post’s corporate venturing arm Japan Post Investment Corporation, and Takumi Shibata, who formerly worked for Nikko Asset Management, in 2020.

Thierry Heles

Thierry Heles is the former editor-at-large of Global University Venturing and Global Corporate Venturing, and was the producer and host of the Beyond the Breakthrough podcast until December 2024.