Creww
Creww operates Japan's largest open innovation platform, running 550+ programs that have matched 9,000+ startups with enterprises, local governments, and regional banks across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Creww does
Creww Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered open innovation platform founded in August 2012 that connects startups with large enterprises, local governments, and regional banks, primarily in Japan and across selected Asian markets. The company operates two core web-based products: Creww Growth, an enterprise platform that lets corporates run their own open-innovation programs with Creww facilitation, and Creww.me, a self-service registration and collaboration platform for startups, VCs, and incubators. Supporting services include Japan Launchpad (market entry support for foreign startups), A Tech (cross-border Asian startup coalition), the 47Crewws Project (regional government and bank DX), and an Innovation Community layer. Creww Capital, established in November 2024, layers CVC consulting, joint-GP fund management, and accelerator-linked investment support on top of the core platform.
The company's business model combines professional services (fees for designing and managing open-innovation programs), managed services (CVC advisory and fund management through Creww Capital), and accelerator program operations (notably the Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia), with potential equity exposure in selected cohorts. Go-to-market is primarily enterprise field sales supplemented by event-driven channels (Startup JAPAN EXPO, SusHi Tech Tokyo, FII conferences) and a channel-partner ecosystem of accelerators and VCs across Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. Since founding, Creww has organized 550+ programs, registered 9,000+ startups, and completed 1,500+ collaborations. Headcount is approximately 40 as of February 2024, and the group operates wholly-owned subsidiaries in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, plus Creww Capital and Creww Regional Innovations in Japan.
Customer segments span large Japanese and international enterprises seeking external innovation, early-to-mid-stage Asian startups seeking market access and corporate partnerships, local governments and regional banks pursuing DX and new business creation, and individual founders using community resources. Named partners and clients include Real Madrid Next, Google for Startups, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and FII Institute. The company is privately held; total disclosed equity funding since 2013 is approximately $3.7M supplemented by undisclosed corporate rounds from SMFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust, MIRAI Consulting, Mirai Works, Rickie Business Solution, and Google for Startups.
Creww firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Creww
- Legal name
- Creww Inc.
- Website
- https://creww.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Creww operates Japan's largest open innovation platform, running 550+ programs that have matched 9,000+ startups with enterprises, local governments, and regional banks across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Creww industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Innovation Platform Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Creww is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Creww business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Open Innovation Program Services: Creww organizes and hosts open innovation programs for corporations, local governments, and startups, charging fees for program management, matching, and facilitation. Over 550 programs organized since founding.
- Fund Management (Creww Capital): CVC consulting and joint GP services for fund formation and management linked to open innovation programs. Strategic investment support in decacorn startups through overseas accelerator program operations.
- Accelerator Program Operations: Operates accelerator programs (e.g., Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia) with potential equity investments in selected startups.
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Creww product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Creww operates Japan's largest open innovation platform, providing B2B services that connect large enterprises, local governments, and startups through structured programs. The company runs the Creww Growth platform for corporations to host their own open innovation programs, the Creww.me platform for startup registration and collaboration, accelerator programs such as Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia, regional innovation projects like 47Crewws, and CVC consulting and fund management through Creww Capital.
Product overview
Creww operates as a multi-platform ecosystem for open innovation in Japan and Asia. The core offerings consist of Creww Growth (open innovation program platform for enterprises) and Creww.me (startup registration and collaboration platform). Supporting services include Japan Launchpad (market entry support), A Tech (cross-border Asian startup connections), 47Crewws Project (regional innovation with local governments), and Innovation Community (knowledge-sharing community). Creww Capital provides CVC consulting and fund management. The platforms collectively support over 550 open innovation programs and approximately 1,500 collaborations with 9,000+ registered startups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Creww Growth Web-based open innovation platform where companies can host their own open innovation programs, enabling co-creation between enterprises and startups and supporting business growth of both parties. Targeted at large enterprises and corporations seeking to operationalize open innovation.
- Creww.me Self-serve platform where startups register, invite collaborators and supporters, and connect with VCs, incubators, and other professionals. Forms the foundation of Creww's 9,000+ startup ecosystem.
- Japan Launchpad Service initiative providing startups aiming to enter the Japanese market with business development support, PR, and fund formation through Creww's network in Japan.
- A Tech Startup community builder framework in Asia connecting top-tier, rapidly growing Asian startups with companies and VCs worldwide to promote global business growth and innovation.
- 47Crewws Project Project aimed at solving social and community issues throughout Japan, with local governments and regional banks leading DX and new business creation through open innovation between local companies and startups.
- Innovation Community Community platform where members from different backgrounds and careers come together to foster innovation by sharing knowledge and shaping ideas into practical innovations.
- Creww Capital CVC consulting and fund management services including co-management of funds linked to accelerator programs, cross-border synergy support for corporations, and strategic investment support in decacorn startups.
- Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia Sports-tech accelerator program bringing Asian startups together with Real Madrid Next to develop projects improving and advancing the sports industry across six areas: E-Health, Performance, Audiovisual, Fan Engagement, Cybersecurity & Technology, and Social. Includes PoC projects, demo days, and potential equity investments.
Quantifiable outcome
- 550+ open innovation programs organized since 2012
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Creww
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Creww technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Creww partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- MarTech Association (Thailand)minorMoU signed at Global MarTech Integration Day 2025 in Bangkok to jointly promote innovation and strengthen global collaboration within the MarTech community.
- Incubation CANVAS TOKYOminorPartnership as Incubation CANVAS TOKYO partner for startup incubation and ecosystem support.
- PT RUANG KREASI BERDAYA (KUMPUL)coreMoU with Indonesia's largest entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler to establish strategic framework for cooperation supporting growth and internationalization of startups across Indonesia, Japan, and Korea through joint activities, resource sharing, and mutual recognition.
- Mirai Startup Consortium (MSC)minorConsortium established with Mirai Works, StartPass, TechShake, and ProtoStar to strengthen startup support and innovation ecosystem collaboration.
- Creww Capital Inc.coreSubsidiary established for CVC consulting, fund management, and strategic investment support in decacorn startups. Co-GP and accelerator fund establishment through overseas programs.
- FII InstitutecoreAppointed as FII Institute Venture Program Partner, participating in FII 8th Edition 2024 conference in Saudi Arabia to connect with global innovation ecosystem leaders and investors.
- Minato Sansin CenterminorCo-creation partnership to support startup ecosystem development in Japan.
- Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI)minorMOU signed to foster cross-border innovation between Korean and Japanese startup ecosystems.
- Real Madrid NextflagshipCreww partners with Real Madrid Next to bring innovative technologies and services from Asian startups to develop projects that aim to improve and advance the sports industry. The Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia creates business partnerships between Real Madrid Next and Asian startups, with potential equity investments in selected startups.
- Google for StartupscorePartnership with Google for Startups formed in November 2022 to launch the Global Sustainability Accelerator, supporting startups focused on sustainability and environmental solutions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Creww competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Techstars: Global accelerator network operating accelerator programs worldwide with strong enterprise-startup collaboration. Directly comparable as a global accelerator brand with corporate-sponsored cohorts.
- Antler: Global startup generator active across Asia (Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Jakarta). Comparable in targeting early-stage founders and connecting them with corporate partners and investors, particularly in Asian markets.
- Plug and Play Japan: Japan subsidiary of Plug and Play Tech Center. Direct head-to-head competitor in the Japanese corporate-startup matching and accelerator space, with global brand and capital backing.
- MassChallenge: Global non-profit accelerator running industry-specific programs with corporate partners. Comparable in accelerator cohort model and enterprise-corporate matching.
- Samurai Incubate: Japan-based startup incubator and VC firm operating in Japan and across Asia. Directly comparable as a domestic Japanese accelerator with international expansion ambitions and corporate-startup programs.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global accelerator and open innovation platform that matches startups with enterprise partners across 50+ industry verticals. Closest comparable in business model — corporate-startup matching, accelerator programs, and cross-border expansion — but at significantly larger scale.
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network with programs in multiple countries and strong corporate-startup matching focus. Comparable in corporate-sponsored cohorts and multi-region accelerator operations.
- Movida Japan: Japan-focused open innovation platform connecting startups with large enterprises. Closest domestic Japanese competitor to Creww's core enterprise-startup matching business model.
- 500 Global: Venture capital firm and accelerator operating programs across multiple geographies including Asia. Comparable in accelerator model, startup community building, and emerging-market focus.
Broad incumbents
- JAFCO: Largest Japanese VC firm with deep relationships across Japan's startup ecosystem. Overlaps with Creww's investor and accelerator functions but operates as a broader incumbent venture investor rather than an open innovation platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Creww social profiles
Digital presenceCreww financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Creww leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Creww subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Creww funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Creww M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Creww
What does Creww do?
Creww operates Japan's largest open innovation platform, providing B2B services that connect large enterprises, local governments, and startups through structured programs. The company runs the Creww Growth platform for corporations to host their own open innovation programs, the Creww.me platform for startup registration and collaboration, accelerator programs such as Real Madrid Next Accelerator for Asia, regional innovation projects like 47Crewws, and CVC consulting and fund management through Creww Capital.
Is Creww a public or private company?
Creww is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Creww founded?
Creww was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Creww based?
Creww is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Creww make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Open Innovation Program Services are the primary driver. The others are fund Management (Creww Capital) and accelerator Program Operations.
Who are Creww's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Techstars, Antler, Plug and Play Japan, MassChallenge, Samurai Incubate, Plug and Play Tech Center, Startupbootcamp, Movida Japan and 500 Global. JAFCO is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Creww have an API?
No public API is recorded for Creww.
What industry is Creww in?
Creww's product category is Open Innovation Platform Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAKAH, Event Technical Production Management & Crew.