Global Brain dreams up $175m fund

Dec 12, 2016 •

Several universities are among the limited partners for the venture firm's latest fund, which is expected to close at $175m.

Japan-based venture capital firm Global Brain has closed ¥15bn ($130m) of a $175m fund, having secured contributions from limited partners including a range of unnamed universities, Nikkei reported on Friday.

More than 10 investors provided capital, including travel agency JTB, financial services firm Mitsui Sumitomo Banking, wood products supplier Sumitomo Forestry, marketing firm Dentsu and public-private investment institution Cool Japan Fund.

Founded in 2001, Global Brain has backed companies including printing services provider Raksul, e-commerce app developer Mercari and Luxola,…

LEADERSHIP SOCIETY

Informing, connecting, and transforming the global corporate venture capital ecosystem.
The Global Corporate Venturing (GCV) Leadership Society’s mission is to help bridge the different strengths and ambitions of investors across industry sectors, geography, structure, and their returns.

Find out more

Can University of Kentucky researchers bring new flavours to whisky?

The University of Kentucky has formed an industry-university partnership to advance aspects such as sustainable agriculture in the whiskey distilling industry.

Make sure UK proof-of-concept funds go beyond Golden Triangle, say experts

The £40m recently allocated by the UK government to proving university research is commercially viable shouldn't just benefit Oxford, Cambridge and London say sector pundits.

Most top UK universities adopt lower spinout equity

Many of the UK's universities have adopted recommendations to lower equity stakes in the companies they commercialise to at or below 25%.

Events

GCV Connect: Korea 2024

Dec 10 -
Dec 12, 2024
Seoul (South Korea)

Find out more All events

Events

GCV Institute: CVC Investment Programs

Jan 28 -
Jan 29, 2025
Online

Find out more All events

Events

GCV Institute: CVC Investment Programs

Mar 17 -
Mar 18, 2025
Palo Alto, CA (USA)

Find out more All events

Events

GCVI Summit 2025

Mar 18 -
Mar 20, 2025
Monterey, CA (USA)

Find out more All events

Events

GCV Institute: Landing the Value of Corporate Venturing

May 1 -
May 6, 2025
Online

Find out more All events

Events

GCV Symposium 2025

Jun 17 -
Jun 19, 2025
London (UK)

Find out more All events

About us

Global University Venturing (GUV) is where tech transfer, academic and investment experts meet to explore the latest ideas and technologies driving innovation forward. We drive the discussions and share best practices that are critical to the success of spinouts, scaleouts and innovation programmes. Our aim is to help improve the processes of bringing innovations from academia to global markets and facilitate their integration into the broader business ecosystem.