Japan's 'Deep Tech' Goes Global: Domestic First with New Fund Established Jointly with ARKAS EOM

TNP Partners, Inc., an independent venture capital firm headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, with CEO Masatoshi Go (hereinafter "TNP"), has launched the formation of a new fund, "ARKAS TNP Ascend Fund I," in collaboration with ARKAS EOM, a global venture capital group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, led by CEO Andrew Economos (hereinafter "ARKAS EOM"). This new fund (hereinafter "the Fund") aims to support Japanese-origin deep tech companies in expanding into global markets.

ARKAS EOM is a global investment platform dedicated to sustainable corporate value creation and supporting the growth of technology companies, built upon the "Economics of Mutuality (EOM)" philosophy developed through decades of research and practice at Mars, Incorporated, a global brand owner (including M&M'S, SNICKERS, Pringles, and ROYAL CANIN) based in the United States.

In addition to its global investment network spanning the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe, ARKAS EOM has a proven track record of collaboration with U.S. federal government agencies and security-related institutions, giving it deep expertise in economic security matters within the deep tech sector.

The Fund will be managed through ARKAS TNP Capital, Inc., a joint venture established by TNP and ARKAS EOM. Operating within the framework of economic security, it will foster advanced technologies and deep tech, strengthen supply chains, promote technological self-reliance, and advance open innovation between Japan and the United States.

With a target size of 15 billion yen, the Fund aims to provide end-to-end support—from research and development to commercialization, global growth, and access to capital markets—for Japan's outstanding technological innovations, ensuring they are not confined to academic research.

Japan is one of the world's leading technological nations, yet it faces significant challenges in commercializing research and expanding into global markets. Amid intense global competition for technological sovereignty, the Fund aims to bridge this "commercialization gap" and establish a system through which Japanese deep tech companies receive fair valuation in the global marketplace.

This is the first fund in the series, with a target of exceeding 1 billion U.S. dollars in total assets under management across the series, including follow-on funds, by 2030.

1. Background of Fund Establishment

Japan's Deep Tech Potential and Structural Challenges

According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), "deep tech" refers to technologies based on scientific discoveries derived from research in specific natural science fields. When successfully commercialized and implemented in society, these technologies have the potential to create significant societal impact, such as solving critical economic and social challenges facing nations and the world.

In the "Global Innovation Index 2025" published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Tokyo-Yokohama area ranks second globally as a science and technology cluster. Japan is also one of the world's leading R&D nations, generating approximately 8% of the world's deep tech-related patents.

However, many of Japan's technological innovations face the following challenges despite their excellent research outcomes:

Shortage of management talent with a global market perspective

Lack of know-how in commercialization and overseas business expansion

Limited access to growth capital and large-scale funding

Insufficient connections with global corporations

As a result, it is not uncommon in Japan for excellent research to remain confined to the level of technology without further development.

In strategic industries such as advanced materials, next-generation semiconductors, robotics, AI, and life sciences—areas where Japan holds structural advantages—the connection to global markets has become a decisive factor in determining corporate value.

TNP and ARKAS EOM aim to address these structural challenges by combining TNP's strength in identifying promising technologies within Japan with ARKAS EOM's global commercialization and growth support capabilities, thereby presenting a new growth model.

2. Fund Overview

Name

ARKAS TNP Ascend Fund I

Management Company

ARKAS TNP Capital, Inc.

Fund Structure

Investment Limited Partnership

Target Size

15 billion yen

Investment Targets

Japanese-origin deep tech companies

Investment Stage

Primarily early-stage (including early-growth)

Target Investment Areas

Advanced materials, semiconductors, robotics, AI, life sciences, etc.

Geographic Focus

Primarily Japan, including North America, Europe, and the Middle East

3. Statements from Representatives

TNP Partners, Inc.

CEO Masatoshi Go

"Japan possesses numerous outstanding technologies capable of competing globally. Yet, many fail to fully realize their potential due to barriers in commercialization and global expansion. Through this Fund, we aim to establish a new growth model that enables Japanese deep tech companies to enter global markets and achieve fair corporate valuation."

ARKAS EOM Group

Founder & CEO Andrew Economos

"Japan has world-class technological capabilities. Together with TNP, we aim not only to invest in technology but also to support commercialization, business growth, and access to capital markets. We aspire to become a bridge that propels Japanese deep tech companies into the global market, positioning Japanese deep tech startups as core players within the global deep tech value chain."

4. Future Outlook

TNP and ARKAS EOM will contribute to enhancing the international competitiveness of Japanese deep tech companies through this Fund and promote the development of a next-generation innovation ecosystem centered in Yokohama and Kanagawa.

They will also strengthen collaborations with domestic and international corporations, financial institutions, institutional investors, universities, and research institutions to accelerate the societal implementation and global expansion of Japanese technologies.

[Company Overview]

Company Name: ARKAS TNP Capital, Inc.

Representatives: CEO Masatoshi Go / Andrew Economos

Address: 2-3-12, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Business Activities: Management of investment limited partnerships; investment in and growth support for Japanese-origin deep tech companies

URL: https://www.arkastnp.com

[Inquiries]

TNP Partners, Inc. (Public Relations)

Phone: 045-285-2859 Email: info@tnp-g.jp