What ASICS Ventures Corporation does

ASICS Ventures Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASICS Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange ticker 7936), headquartered in Kobe, Japan, and serves as the corporate venture capital arm of the parent group. Founded in 2022, the entity sources, invests in, and acquires early-stage companies aligned with ASICS Corporation's strategic priorities in sports performance, health, fitness, and emerging consumer technology. Its portfolio spans AI design-to-manufacturing (RebuilderAI), health-measurement infrastructure (Pulse Active Stations Network in India), sports equipment (Neutral Company mouthguards, no new folk studio sensing solutions), and race-management software (Njuko, Valkyrie Industries), as well as regional acquisitions such as Thailand-based Thaidotrun.

Operationally, the CVC runs a small team (1-10 employees) led by a President and Chief Investment Officer, supplemented by the parent's broader resources. Its go-to-market is financial-partner-led: it makes minority equity investments, runs startup pitch competitions (e.g., the 2025 Riyadh competition with the Saudi Sports for All Federation awarding Amplifai Health, Harwalah, and Fitness Storm), and selectively acquires companies that complement the ASICS product and digital stack. Revenue derives from investment returns on equity positions, with no disclosed standalone revenue, and capital flows are funded by the parent corporation.

Underlying the CVC's strategic logic is the parent company's deep technology and brand foundation: proprietary GEL cushioning, GUIDESOLE, FLYTEFOAM, and carbon-plate running technologies; a network of 64 global locations and 9,455 employees; a OneASICS digital ecosystem aggregating training and health data; elite-athlete programs such as C-PROJECT and the METASPEED product line; and recognized IP governance. These parent assets provide portfolio companies with manufacturing scale, distribution reach, brand association, and R&D collaboration that standalone startups could not access.

Name

ASICS Ventures Corporation

Legal name

ASICS Ventures Corporation

Website

https://corp.asics.com/en/ventures

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ASICS Ventures Corporation is the corporate venture capital arm of ASICS Corporation, investing in and acquiring startups in sports technology, AI design-to-manufacturing, health measurement, and race management to complement the parent's global sportswear business.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital

NAICS

All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399), Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)

Keywords

• Venture capital investments
• Corporate venture capital
• Sports technology investing
• Startup acceleration
• Strategic equity investments

Headquarters

HQ city

Kobe

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Footwear Sales: ASICS Corporation generates revenue primarily from designing and selling athletic footwear including running shoes, volleyball shoes, basketball shoes, tennis shoes, and walking shoes under the ASICS brand
2. Apparel Sales: Sports apparel including activewear, running gear, and sportswear for various athletic disciplines
3. Onitsuka Tiger Brand: Premium lifestyle brand under ASICS Corporation offering luxury footwear and apparel
4. Sports Equipment: Equipment including volleyballs, tennis rackets, and other sports gear
5. Facility Management Services: ASICS Sports Facilities Co. operates public sports facilities under designated management contracts
6. Health/Fitness Services: Tryus disability day care facilities offering functional training services
7. Venture Capital Investment Returns: ASICS Ventures generates returns through equity investments in startups

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASICS Ventures Corporation operates as the corporate venture capital and investment arm of ASICS Corporation, making strategic equity investments in early-stage startups aligned with ASICS' sports, health, fitness, and design-to-manufacturing technology focus areas. The firm also conducts startup pitch competitions (such as the Riyadh pitch event with Saudi Sports for All Federation) to source new investment opportunities and identify potential strategic collaboration partners.

Product overview

ASICS Ventures Corporation operates as the venture capital and startup investment arm of ASICS Corporation, focusing on strategic investments in innovative startups in the sports, health, and technology sectors. The entity conducts startup pitch competitions and invests in emerging companies developing technologies relevant to ASICS's business areas including design-to-manufacturing automation, health measurement services, and sports performance technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic venture capital investments Strategic equity investments in early-stage startups developing technologies relevant to ASICS Corporation's sports, health, fitness, and design-to-manufacturing business areas. Investments are made in exchange for equity stakes, with portfolio companies receiving strategic partnership, R&D collaboration, and global market access through ASICS' brand and distribution network. Recent portfolio companies include RebuilderAI (AI design-to-manufacturing), Pulse Active Stations Network (health measurement kiosks), Neutral Company (sports mouthguards), and no new folk studio (foot movement sensing).
• Startup pitch competition program Regional startup pitch competition programs hosted by ASICS Ventures Corporation in partnership with regional sports federations and ASICS regional marketing offices, designed to identify innovative startups for potential investment and strategic partnership. The inaugural documented competition was held in Riyadh with the Saudi Sports for All Federation, attracting health and fitness startups such as Amplifai Health (first place). These programs serve as deal sourcing and ecosystem engagement channels for the corporate venture capital arm.

Quantifiable outcome

• GUIDESOLE reduces ankle joint load by approximately 20%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Saudi Sports for All FederationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025ASICS Ventures Corporation and ASICS Saudi Arabia Marketing jointly hosted a startup pitch competition in partnership with the Saudi Sports for All Federation in Riyadh. First place awarded to Amplifai Health, selected for partnership with ASICS and SFA.
• Southeast Asian Fitness AppminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024ASICS partnered with a Southeast Asian fitness app in May 2024 as part of Asia-Pacific running gear market expansion activities.
• Njuko SAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2022ASICS Corporation acquired Njuko SAS, a race registration platform for European running events. The platform operates across North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, enhancing ASICS' global race registration services.
• Ritsumeikan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with Ritsumeikan University on 'Fast Walking' as a new health enhancement method alongside running.
• Y CombinatorminorOthersPortfolio company Pulse Active Stations Network participated in Y Combinator's 2019 program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nike Innovation / Nike Ventures: Corporate venture and innovation arm of Nike, investing in sports technology, sustainability, and digital health startups. Most directly comparable CVC operating in athletic footwear and apparel with strategic investment mandate.
• adidas Investments / adidas Ventures: Corporate investment activities of adidas Group focused on sports tech, sustainability, and digital innovation. Closely comparable as a strategic competitor brand's CVC in athletic footwear and lifestyle.
• Anta Sports Innovation & Investment: Anta Sports operates venture and M&A activities targeting sports tech, digital fitness, and apparel innovation. Comparable as a global athletic brand with corporate investment capacity in the same sector.
• PUMA Corporate Investments: PUMA engages in strategic partnerships and minority investments in sports technology and lifestyle brands. Comparable as a global athletic footwear brand with corporate venture activity.
• New Balance Innovation: New Balance operates corporate innovation and partnership activities around performance footwear and sports tech. Comparable as a competing athletic brand engaging in startup collaboration.
• Mizuno Corporation Innovation: Japanese-headquartered athletic brand with technology and innovation partnerships in running and sports performance. Comparable as a direct Japanese-headquartered competitor with similar heritage and brand profile.
• Under Armour Innovation / UA Ventures: Under Armour's corporate innovation and minority investment activities in sports tech and connected fitness. Comparable as a competing global athletic brand with CVC activity.
• Decathlon Corporate Ventures: Decathlon operates innovation and venture activities targeting sports equipment, sustainability, and retail tech. Comparable as a sporting goods retailer/manufacturer with CVC capability.

Emerging players

• Lululemon Strategic Investments: Lululemon invests in athletic and wellness startups such as MIRROR and others. Comparable as a sports/lifestyle CVC but with a stronger athleisure focus rather than performance running.

Others

• Y Combinator: Global accelerator in which ASICS Ventures' portfolio company Pulse Active Stations participated. Adjacent ecosystem participant and pipeline source for CVC deal flow in sports, health, and AI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ASICS_JP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ASICSJAPANMOVIE
• Facebookm.facebook.com/ASICSJapan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asics
• Instagraminstagram.com/asics_japan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments20 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASICS Ventures Corporation