Creww
Creww is a Tokyo-headquartered privately held company founded in 2012 that operates Japan's largest startup ecosystem platform, running open innovation programs that connect startups with large enterprises and a coalition of Asian accelerators and VCs. It serves founders, corporates, and investors across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Creww does
Creww, Inc. is a Tokyo-based privately held company founded in 2012 that operates what it describes as Japan's largest startup ecosystem and one of the country's largest open innovation platforms. The company pairs startups and founders with large enterprises through themed programs and matchmaking initiatives, and has assembled a coalition of top Asian accelerators and venture capital firms to source startups by theme and attract Western investors and corporates into the Japanese and broader Asian innovation market.
The core product is the Creww Ecosystem, a single integrated platform rather than a modular product suite, delivered through an internally developed web-based application that hosts open innovation programs, events, and startup-enterprise collaboration. Programs have transitioned from in-person regional engagements to digital delivery on this platform. Creww also operates wholly-owned regional entities in Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, plus a capital-focused subsidiary called Creww Capital, giving it a cross-border Asia footprint supported by localized country websites and a global English site.
The business model is not publicly disclosed — no pricing, revenue mechanics, or contract structures are described in the available source material. Headcount is approximately 35 employees, and Creww is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, institutional investors, or revenue figures. Customer segments span startups and founders, large enterprises seeking open innovation access, and accelerators/VCs seeking deal flow and cross-border opportunities, with go-to-market primarily driven by organic social channels (Facebook, X, LinkedIn) and direct enterprise program relationships.
Creww firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Creww
- Legal name
- Creww, Inc.
- Website
- https://en.creww.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Creww is a Tokyo-headquartered privately held company founded in 2012 that operates Japan's largest startup ecosystem platform, running open innovation programs that connect startups with large enterprises and a coalition of Asian accelerators and VCs. It serves founders, corporates, and investors across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Creww industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Innovation Platform
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)
Keywords
Creww business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Creww product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Creww operates an internally developed web-based platform that conducts open innovation programs pairing startups with large enterprises, enabling cross-cultural collaboration and new business creation. Founded in 2012, the platform has transitioned from in-person regional events to multiple digital programs and supports Japan's largest startup ecosystem, bringing together top Asian accelerators, VCs, and Western entities to identify startups by specific themes for corporate innovation, investment, and ecosystem growth.
Product overview
Creww operates as a single unified ecosystem platform rather than a modular product suite. The core offering is the Creww Ecosystem, which combines startup community building, open innovation facilitation, and Asian innovation acceleration into one integrated platform. Programs and events are conducted on the company's internally developed web-based platform, which has become one of the largest open innovation platforms in Japan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Creww Open Innovation Platform A web-based platform that runs open innovation programs pairing startups with large enterprises, enabling themed startup sourcing, cross-cultural collaboration, and new business creation. It serves as Japan's largest open innovation platform and supports the company's startup ecosystem of innovators, founders, accelerators, and VCs.
Companies that use Creww
Customer profileSegments3 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
Feature1 record
Creww partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Creww competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Antler: Venture studio operating across multiple geographies (including Asia) that builds startups from day zero and connects them with corporate partners and investors. Highly comparable to Creww's venture-studio characteristics and ecosystem-building model.
- MassChallenge: Global accelerator network running corporate-sponsored innovation programs that connect startups with large enterprises. Comparable in program-driven enterprise-startup matchmaking.
- SOSV: Accelerator-running VC with multiple vertical-specific programs that bridge startups and corporate partners globally. Comparable to Creww's themed-program approach and VC coalition model.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global venture studio and accelerator that runs corporate-sponsored open innovation programs pairing startups with large enterprises, with regional outposts across Asia. Directly comparable to Creww in business model (corporate-startup matchmaking, accelerator coalitions) and target customers (large enterprises seeking external innovation).
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network with themed programs and corporate partnerships. Comparable to Creww in running cohort-based programs that pair startups with enterprise partners.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network that runs themed cohorts and corporate innovation programs in partnership with large enterprises. Comparable to Creww as a program-driven ecosystem builder that connects startups to enterprise customers and investors through structured cohorts.
- 500 Global (500 Startups): Venture capital firm and accelerator running programs that match startups with corporate partners, with active operations in Japan and Southeast Asia. Comparable in combining capital, accelerator cohorts, and corporate-startup programs.
Regional players
- Leave a Nest: Japanese deep-tech startup ecosystem builder that runs programs linking startups, researchers, and corporates. Comparable to Creww as a domestic Japanese ecosystem builder with similar open innovation programming.
- Tokyo Innovation Base (SusHi Tech Tokyo): Tokyo Metropolitan Government-backed hub supporting startups and corporate-startup collaboration. Comparable to Creww as a Japan-focused innovation platform, though operated as a public-sector initiative.
Others
- Innovate UK / Catapult Network: Public/private innovation network running themed programs that connect startups to corporate and institutional partners. Comparable to Creww in operating a structured open-innovation ecosystem, though primarily UK-focused.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Creww social profiles
Digital presenceCreww financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Creww leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Creww subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Creww funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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 an internally developed web-based platform that conducts open innovation programs pairing startups with large enterprises, enabling cross-cultural collaboration and new business creation. Founded in 2012, the platform has transitioned from in-person regional events to multiple digital programs and supports Japan's largest startup ecosystem, bringing together top Asian accelerators, VCs, and Western entities to identify startups by specific themes for corporate innovation, investment, and ecosystem growth.
Is Creww a public or private company?
Creww is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Creww founded?
Creww was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Who are Creww's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Antler, MassChallenge, SOSV, Plug and Play Tech Center, Startupbootcamp, Techstars and 500 Global (500 Startups). Regional players are Leave a Nest and Tokyo Innovation Base (SusHi Tech Tokyo). Innovate UK / Catapult Network is listed as an others.
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. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders. Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 7373.