Creww

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.

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

Product category

Open Innovation Platform Services

akta.pro primary industry

Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Open innovation platform
• Startup ecosystem services
• Corporate startup matching
• Accelerator program management
• Cross-border innovation facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• MarTech Association (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025MoU signed at Global MarTech Integration Day 2025 in Bangkok to jointly promote innovation and strengthen global collaboration within the MarTech community.
• Incubation CANVAS TOKYOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership as Incubation CANVAS TOKYO partner for startup incubation and ecosystem support.
• PT RUANG KREASI BERDAYA (KUMPUL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2025MoU 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)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Consortium established with Mirai Works, StartPass, TechShake, and ProtoStar to strengthen startup support and innovation ecosystem collaboration.
• Creww Capital Inc.coreOthers · 26 November 2024Subsidiary established for CVC consulting, fund management, and strategic investment support in decacorn startups. Co-GP and accelerator fund establishment through overseas programs.
• FII InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 October 2024Appointed 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 CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Co-creation partnership to support startup ecosystem development in Japan.
• Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024MOU signed to foster cross-border innovation between Korean and Japanese startup ecosystems.
• Real Madrid NextflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2024Creww 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 StartupscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Partnership 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/creww_me
• Facebookfacebook.com/creww.me
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/creww-me

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors7 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Creww