Samurai Incubate
Samurai Incubate is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 2008 that invests seed-to-Series A in Japanese startups, manages regional Africa and Israel operations, and runs the STARTUP RUNWAY regional ecosystem program and corporate open-innovation accelerators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Samurai Incubate does
Samurai Incubate Inc. is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded on 14 March 2008 by Kentaro Sakakibara. The firm invests in Japanese startups from the seed stage through Series A, with initial ticket sizes of 10–100 million yen and up to 300–500 million yen per company including follow-ons, and decision timelines of 1–3 months. It manages a series of funds — Samurai Incubate Fund 1号 through 7号 (the seventh closed at approximately 60.7 billion yen in March 2024), Samurai Growth Fund 1号 (established August 2024 for middle-to-later stage deals), and Samurai Africa Fund 1号 and 2号 (covering Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa) — alongside an Israel operation run from Tel Aviv. The firm has invested in 258 startups and recorded 136 exits across its history.
Beyond direct investment, Samurai Incubate operates a regional ecosystem platform called STARTUP RUNWAY, deploying partner networks with regional banks, VCs, and local governments across Chushikoku, Chubu, Tohoku, Ryukyu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Kanto. It also runs open-innovation accelerator programs with large Japanese corporates including Keikyu, Daikin, Mitsubishi Estate, Japan Post, Sumitomo Life, and Maeda Corporation. Revenue mechanics follow standard VC economics: management fees on committed capital during the investment period, plus carried interest from successful exits (IPO, M&A, secondary sales).
The firm is privately held, headquartered at Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B 4F in Tokyo since May 2024 as part of the Tokyo Venture Capital Hub, and operates with a core team of approximately 10–12 people covering investment, fund management, and corporate functions. Portfolio sectors span entertainment, industrial DX, environment, healthcare, and regional development.
Samurai Incubate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Samurai Incubate
- Legal name
- 株式会社サムライインキュベート
- Website
- https://samurai-incubate.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Samurai Incubate is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 2008 that invests seed-to-Series A in Japanese startups, manages regional Africa and Israel operations, and runs the STARTUP RUNWAY regional ecosystem program and corporate open-innovation accelerators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Samurai Incubate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
Keywords
Where Samurai Incubate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices10 records
Markets served
Samurai Incubate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fund Management Fees: VC firms typically charge management fees on committed capital (typically 1-2% annually) during the investment period, with reduced fees during the harvest/exit phase
- Carried Interest (Capital Gains): VC profit participation typically 20% of profits above the hurdle rate, earned upon successful exits of portfolio companies
- Portfolio Company Success: Returns generated from IPOs, M&A exits, and secondary sales of portfolio company equity. The fund has achieved 136 exits across its history.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Samurai Incubate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Samurai Incubate is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups from seed to Series A, deploying capital ranging from 10 million to 100 million yen per seed deal and up to 300-500 million yen per company across follow-on rounds. The firm operates dedicated investment funds for Japan, Africa, and growth-stage opportunities, while providing portfolio companies with management, marketing, sales, and HR support alongside introductions to corporate partners through open innovation programs and regional STARTUP RUNWAY initiatives.
Product overview
Samurai Incubate Inc. is a venture capital firm that provides investment and growth support services for startups, primarily from the seed stage through Series A. The company operates multiple investment funds including Samurai Incubate Fund 1-7, Samurai Africa Fund 1-2, and Samurai Growth Fund 1. Their services include direct investment in startups, regional startup support initiatives through the STARTUP RUNWAY program (covering areas such as Chugoku-Shikoku, Chubu, Tohoku, Ryukyu, Kyushu, and Hokkaido), and accelerator programs in partnership with major corporations. The company also supports portfolio companies through growth advisory services and facilitates connections between startups and large enterprises.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Samurai Incubate Fund (シリーズ番号付き): 投資事業有限責任組合。1号〜7号まで組成済み
- Samurai Growth Fund 1号
- Samurai Africa Fund 1号・2号
- STARTUP RUNWAY
- Samurai Startup Island
- SAMURAI HOUSE
- SAMURAI Venture Summit
Products and services
- Samurai Incubate Fund Series (1-7)
- Samurai Growth Fund 1
- Samurai Africa Fund 1 and 2
- STARTUP RUNWAY Regional Programs
- Corporate Open Innovation Accelerator Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 136 successful exits achieved across all fund generations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Samurai Incubate
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Samurai Incubate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Samurai Incubate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- JVCA (Japan Venture Capital Association)coreCEO Sakakibara appointed as committee member of JVCA Regional Revitalization Division; promoting startup ecosystem strengthening nationwide with KPI of creating VCs capable of lead investment across all 47 prefectures
- 京急電鉄 (Keikyu Corporation)flagshipOngoing KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM partnership since 2018, with multiple batch programs and demo days connecting mobility startups with Keikyu
- ダイキン工業 (Daikin Industries)flagshipAirTech BootCamp collaboration - co-hosted bootcamp programs focusing on air quality and environmental solutions with startups, including Africa bootcamp in Nairobi with Daikin
- 三菱地所 (Mitsubishi Estate)coreMitsubishi Estate Accelerator Program - open innovation program connecting real estate and urban development startups with corporate resources
- 日本郵便 (Japan Post)corePOST LOGITECH INNOVATION PROGRAM - logistics-focused accelerator program connecting postal and logistics startups with Japan Post resources
- 住友生命 (Sumitomo Life)coreSumiSumEi Mirai BootCamp - wellness and insurance tech focused acceleration program
- 前田建設工業 (Maeda Corporation)coreICI Real Fantasy Business Division BootCamp - construction and 3D printing technology programs
- F Ventures LLPcoreKyushu STARTUP RUNWAY partner - regional startup ecosystem initiative covering Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures
- フォーシーズ (Four Seasons)coreRyukyu STARTUP RUNWAY partner for Okinawa region startup ecosystem development
- スパークル (Sparkle)coreTohoku STARTUP RUNWAY partner for Sendai and Tohoku region startup ecosystem
- JICAcoreJapan International Cooperation Agency - survey contract with Samurai Incubate Africa subsidiary for Africa investment activities
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Samurai Incubate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Global Brain: Tokyo-based VC firm active in seed-to-growth, with strong corporate CVC partnerships and overseas offices. Closely comparable to Samurai in stage focus, corporate accelerator programs, and cross-border platform.
- Antler: Global early-stage VC running cohort-based founder programs across multiple countries. Comparable to Samurai in startup-incubation support, multi-region presence, and seed-stage investment thesis.
- Spiral Ventures (IMJ Investment Partners): Japan- and Southeast Asia-focused early-stage VC firm. Comparable to Samurai in cross-border early-stage mandate and corporate partnership-led approach.
- DBJ Capital: Venture arm of Development Bank of Japan, investing in seed-to-Series A startups in Japan. Comparable to Samurai in seed/Series A deal stages, Japanese institutional LP base, and government-tied positioning.
- East Ventures: Early-stage VC focused on Japan and Southeast Asia, with a large seed portfolio. Comparable to Samurai in seed stage focus, geographic breadth, and startup ecosystem-building programs.
- JAFCO Group: Japan's largest independent venture capital firm, investing across seed, early, and later stages. Directly comparable to Samurai in deal stages, sectors, and Japan-centric origination, though materially larger in AUM, headcount, and fund vintages.
- 500 Global: Global venture firm with active programs in Japan and emerging markets. Comparable to Samurai in accelerator-style seed investment, cross-border deal flow, and emerging-market focus.
- Mitsubishi UFJ Capital: VC arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, focused on Japanese startups with MUFG banking ecosystem access. Comparable to Samurai in corporate-affiliated VC, Japan seed/Series A focus, and large-LP backing.
Emerging players
- Partech: Pan-African and global VC with deep Africa franchise (Partech Africa Fund). Comparable to Samurai specifically through its Africa-focused fund and operations, representing the most direct cross-border competitor for African startup deals.
- TLcom Capital: Africa-focused early-stage VC with presence in Lagos and Nairobi. Comparable to Samurai's Africa operations in stage focus, geography, and emerging-market venture thesis.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Samurai Incubate social profiles
Digital presenceSamurai Incubate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Samurai Incubate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Samurai Incubate subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Samurai Incubate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Samurai Incubate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments192 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Samurai Incubate
What does Samurai Incubate do?
Samurai Incubate is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups from seed to Series A, deploying capital ranging from 10 million to 100 million yen per seed deal and up to 300-500 million yen per company across follow-on rounds. The firm operates dedicated investment funds for Japan, Africa, and growth-stage opportunities, while providing portfolio companies with management, marketing, sales, and HR support alongside introductions to corporate partners through open innovation programs and regional STARTUP RUNWAY initiatives.
Is Samurai Incubate a public or private company?
Samurai Incubate is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Samurai Incubate founded?
Samurai Incubate was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Samurai Incubate based?
Samurai Incubate is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Samurai Incubate make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fund Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest (Capital Gains) and portfolio Company Success.
Who are Samurai Incubate's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Global Brain, Antler, Spiral Ventures (IMJ Investment Partners), DBJ Capital, East Ventures, JAFCO Group, 500 Global and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. Emerging players are Partech and TLcom Capital.
Does Samurai Incubate have an API?
No public API is recorded for Samurai Incubate.
What industry is Samurai Incubate in?
Samurai Incubate's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 52394 and its SIC code is 6282.