Creww

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.

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

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

• Open innovation platform
• Startup ecosystem services
• Corporate-startup matching
• Innovation program management
• Asia accelerator network

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct 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

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

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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