News Release
Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Tokyo, June 15, 2017

LP Investment in a Fund Supporting Startups with a Global Vision
Cool Japan Fund has decided to invest a maximum of 10 million USD through an LP
investment in 500 Startups JP, L.P. (500JP), which is operated by the Japan division of 500
Startups, an American venture capital firm focusing on investing in seed stage startups(i.e. seedinvestments).
500 Startups is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. It has been
described as the most active seed stage venture capital firm in the world1. The strength of 500
Startups lies in its global network of entrepreneurs and mentors, as well as its ecosystemdevelopment initiatives to help local entrepreneurs.
This investment marks the first collaboration between Cool Japan Fund and an American
venture capital firm. Through this investment, Cool Japan Fund will be able to support seedstage startups in the area of “Cool Japan” that strive to compete globally. Through such seed
investments, Cool Japan Fund intends to increase the number of prominent “Cool Japan” relatedcompanies, and contribute to the sustainable development of “Cool Japan.”

500 Startups is headquartered in Silicon Valley, and is the most active seed stage venture
capital firm in the world. Outside of the United States, it has also established 13 regional funds
in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Korea, Thailand, and Turkey, and has made over
1,800 seed investments in 60 countries. In addition to venture capital investment, it also nurtures
startups through their seed investment program. The training program is supported by over 300
mentors who provide valuable and practical advice to startups. 500 Startups has representatives
stationed in over twenty countries around the world who can serve as bridges to local companies,
venture capital firms, and media to support portfolio companies expanding overseas.
To date, 500 Startups has invested in over 35 companies in Japan. Some Japanese startups
have even joined the 500 Seed Program in Silicon Valley, which provides mentorship andaccess to US companies and investors. Amidst these activities, 500 Startups established its
Japan fund in February 2016 to accelerate seed investment in Japan and support overseas
expansion for local startups. It has also contributed to the globalization of the Japanese startup
community by hosting events such as the 500 Kobe Accelerator - a shortened version of its
Silicon Valley training program – and publishing a localized version of its Silicon Valley-styleinvestment contract for anyone to freely use.
To support the growth and global expansion of startups in the area of “Cool Japan.” CoolJapan Fund has decided to invest a maximum of 10 million USD through an LP investment in500JP.

1

National Venture Capital Association, Venture Monitor 4Q.2016

As the nature of seed investment differs from that of standard venture capital investment interms of risk profile and support needed, Cool Japan Fund will provide “Cool Japan” related
startups with funding through its investment in this fund. Moreover, Cool Japan Fund will alsocollaborate with the 500 Startups’ global network of mentors to support the overseas expansionsof startups.
Through this fund, Cool Japan Fund will provide funding to “Cool Japan” related startups
and increasing the number of prominent “Cool Japan” related companies. Cool Japan Fund also
anticipates that the training program, mentorship, as well as the sharing of Silicon Valley bestpractices will help build a cooperative environment in Japan for startups to launch and scale
globally.

[About 500 Startups JP, L.P.]
Launch Date:
General Partner:
Managing Partner:
Fund Size:Fund Term:

February 17, 2016
500 Startups JP, L.L.C.
James Riney, Yohei Sawayama
35 million USD
10 years from the launch date[About 500 Startups]
Establishment Date:
Headquarters:
Representative:
Outline of Business:
Assets under Management:
Global Homepage:
Japanese Homepage:

February 2010
California, US
Dave McClure
Venture capital businessApproximately 350 million USD
https://500.co/https://500startups.jp/Contact for details regarding this document:
Cool Japan Fund (PR representatives: Yuge, Nemoto) Tel: +81-03-6406-7500