KDDI Open Innovation Fund
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a Tokyo-based corporate venture capital vehicle of KDDI Corporation investing in Japanese and global startups across fintech, AI security, and food tech, with KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3号 managed by Global Brain Corporation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KDDI Open Innovation Fund does
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture capital fund operated by KDDI Corporation (TYO: 9433), one of Japan's largest publicly listed telecommunications companies. The fund invests in startups and innovative companies as part of KDDI's open innovation strategy, with KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3号 specifically managed by Global Brain Corporation as the external fund operator. Disclosed portfolio investments span fintech and crowdfunding (CAMPFIRE, March 2019), AI-driven security and deepfake detection (Resemble AI, alongside Sony Innovation Fund and Okta Ventures), and food-tech subscription services (Antway, Series D approximately ¥3.3 billion in November 2025).
The fund sits within a broader KDDI open innovation ecosystem that includes the KDDI ∞ Labo startup incubation program, the KDDIみらい共創プログラム co-creation initiative, and operational programs providing portfolio startups access to KDDI facilities, network data, and distribution channels. Portfolio companies can leverage KDDI's telecom-scale infrastructure — including the au, UQ mobile, and povo consumer brands, the KDDI BUSINESS enterprise unit, and new initiatives like au Starlink Direct (2025) and Bounce smart luggage lockers (November 2025).
The fund generates revenue indirectly through management fees, carried interest on exits, and strategic value delivered back to KDDI Corporation in the form of innovation pipeline access and ecosystem expansion. The parent KDDI Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, operates consumer telecom (au, UQ mobile, povo), enterprise services (KDDI BUSINESS), mobile payments (au PAY), loyalty (Pontaパス), satellite communication (au Starlink Direct), digital content (ブックパス), and AR services (SATCH), supported by ISO/IEC 27001:2022 ISMS certification and 24/7 security operations.
KDDI Open Innovation Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KDDI Open Innovation Fund
- Legal name
- KDDI Open Innovation Fund
- Website
- https://kddi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a Tokyo-based corporate venture capital vehicle of KDDI Corporation investing in Japanese and global startups across fintech, AI security, and food tech, with KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3号 managed by Global Brain Corporation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KDDI Open Innovation Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
Keywords
Where KDDI Open Innovation Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
KDDI Open Innovation Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
KDDI Open Innovation Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture capital fund operated by KDDI Corporation that invests in startups and innovative companies to support KDDI's open innovation strategy and business diversification. Specific fund vehicles, including Fund 3号, are operated by Global Brain Corporation and have deployed capital into companies such as CAMPFIRE (crowdfunding), Resemble AI (AI-generated threat detection), and Antway (home-cooked meal subscription). The fund provides portfolio companies with strategic partnership opportunities, access to KDDI's customer base, and integration into KDDI's broader innovation ecosystem.
Product overview
KDDI is a major Japanese telecommunications company offering a multi-brand portfolio of mobile and fixed-line services. The core consumer brands include au (premium mobile), UQ mobile (value mobile), and povo (customizable mobile), while KDDI BUSINESS serves enterprise customers. The company has expanded into satellite communication (au Starlink Direct), mobile payments (au PAY), loyalty programs (Pontaパス), digital content (ブックパス), and AR services (SATCH). KDDI also supports innovation through programs like KDDI ∞ Labo incubation program and KDDI Open Innovation Fund venture capital investments. The company operates concept stores like GINZA 456 and maintains online media properties including Spark Journal with AI-powered navigation features.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KDDI Open Innovation Fund Venture capital investment fund series operated by KDDI Corporation that deploys capital into startups and innovative companies to foster open innovation and support KDDI's strategic business expansion beyond core telecommunications.
- KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3号 Specific fund vehicle in the KDDI Open Innovation Fund series managed by Global Brain Corporation as fund operator. Fund 3号 has invested in companies including CAMPFIRE (crowdfunding platform) to support fintech and crowdfunding business growth.
Companies that use KDDI Open Innovation Fund
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
KDDI Open Innovation Fund technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
KDDI Open Innovation Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BounceminorKDDI partnered with US-based Bounce to launch Japan's first app-based smart luggage lockers at KDDI flagship stores starting November 13, 2025, addressing coin locker shortages in popular tourist areas. Bounce serves over 3 million users globally with insurance coverage up to 1 million yen per item.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KDDI Open Innovation Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sony Innovation Fund: Sony Innovation Fund is a Japan-headquartered corporate venture capital arm of Sony that invests in early- and growth-stage startups across AI, deep tech, and entertainment. It co-invested with KDDI Open Innovation Fund in Resemble AI's $13M round, making it a directly comparable Japanese strategic CVC with similar thesis and check sizes.
- NTT Docomo Ventures: NTT Docomo Ventures is the CVC of Japan's other major mobile carrier, NTT Docomo. It invests across 5G, IoT, AI, and consumer services, sharing an identical strategic-telecom CVC mandate and primarily Japan-deal focus as KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
- Global Brain Corporation: Global Brain is the fund operator managing KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3号 (and several others). It independently runs multiple Japan-focused early- and growth-stage VC funds, including partnerships with other large corporates, making it the closest operational and platform peer.
- Mitsubishi UFJ Capital: Mitsubishi UFJ Capital is the CVC arm of MUFG, Japan's largest financial group. It deploys strategic capital into Japan-domestic startups across fintech, mobility, and DX — a directly comparable strategic-investor mandate with similar Japan focus and corporate-LP alignment.
- Rakuten Ventures: Rakuten Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Rakuten Group, investing globally in early-stage fintech, e-commerce, and AI startups. It shares the corporate-VC structure, strategic-thesis deployment, and Japan-parent backing as KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
Broad incumbents
- SoftBank Vision Fund: SoftBank Vision Fund is the world's largest tech-focused investment vehicle managed from Japan, deploying much larger growth-stage checks globally. It is a broader incumbent in the same Japan-anchored tech-investment space, overlapping in AI, fintech, and consumer themes but at far greater scale.
- Samsung Ventures: Samsung Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Samsung Electronics, investing in semiconductors, AI, mobile, and consumer tech globally. It overlaps with KDDI Open Innovation Fund on the AI/telecom-adjacent investment thesis and serves as a broader Asian strategic-CVC incumbent.
- Intel Capital: Intel Capital is one of the world's largest and longest-tenured corporate venture capital programs, backing AI, semiconductor, and enterprise-tech startups. It is a broad incumbent benchmark for the corporate strategic-VC model that KDDI Open Innovation Fund operates within.
- Salesforce Ventures: Salesforce Ventures is the CVC arm of Salesforce investing in enterprise SaaS, AI, and data startups with strategic alignment to the Salesforce ecosystem. It represents the broader enterprise-software-aligned strategic-CVC archetype, comparable in structure to KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
- Qualcomm Ventures: Qualcomm Ventures is the CVC arm of Qualcomm investing in AI, 5G, IoT, and automotive startups. It overlaps with KDDI Open Innovation Fund on telecom/connectivity-adjacent investment themes and is a representative strategic-tech CVC incumbent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KDDI Open Innovation Fund social profiles
Digital presenceKDDI Open Innovation Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance20 records
KDDI Open Innovation Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KDDI Open Innovation Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KDDI Open Innovation Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KDDI Open Innovation Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments101 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KDDI Open Innovation Fund
What does KDDI Open Innovation Fund do?
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture capital fund operated by KDDI Corporation that invests in startups and innovative companies to support KDDI's open innovation strategy and business diversification. Specific fund vehicles, including Fund 3号, are operated by Global Brain Corporation and have deployed capital into companies such as CAMPFIRE (crowdfunding), Resemble AI (AI-generated threat detection), and Antway (home-cooked meal subscription). The fund provides portfolio companies with strategic partnership opportunities, access to KDDI's customer base, and integration into KDDI's broader innovation ecosystem.
Is KDDI Open Innovation Fund a public or private company?
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was KDDI Open Innovation Fund founded?
KDDI Open Innovation Fund was founded in 2019.
Where is KDDI Open Innovation Fund based?
KDDI Open Innovation Fund is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
Who are KDDI Open Innovation Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sony Innovation Fund, NTT Docomo Ventures, Global Brain Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and Rakuten Ventures. Broad incumbents are SoftBank Vision Fund, Samsung Ventures, Intel Capital, Salesforce Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures.
Does KDDI Open Innovation Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for KDDI Open Innovation Fund.
What industry is KDDI Open Innovation Fund in?
KDDI Open Innovation Fund's product category is Corporate Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B). Its NAICS code is 5259 and its SIC code is 6282.