Todai IPC Decides to Invest as LP in "Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund"
The Academic Startup Acceleration (ASA) Fund, operated by the University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development Co., Ltd. (Todai IPC), has decided to make an LP investment in the Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund, formed by Alumni Ventures, LLC. This investment aims to strengthen the global expansion foundation by connecting the Japan-US startup ecosystems.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:00
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The Academic Startup Acceleration (ASA) Fund, operated by the University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development Co., Ltd. (Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Kosuke Ueda; hereinafter, Todai IPC), has decided to make an LP investment in the Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund, formed by Alumni Ventures, LLC (Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, USA; CEO: Michael Collins; hereinafter, Alumni Ventures).
Towards strengthening the global expansion foundation through connecting the Japan-US startup ecosystems
For the sustainable development of Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem, it is essential to steadily commercialize excellent research seeds accumulated domestically and to connect them to growth opportunities with a global market perspective from an early stage. Especially in the deep tech sector, in addition to research and development capabilities, connection with overseas investors, operating companies, and markets becomes increasingly important from the initial stages of business growth.
Alumni Ventures has a strong connection with investment networks and startup ecosystems primarily in the United States, and by establishing a base in Japan, it is promoting the construction of a platform that connects startups and investment opportunities between Japan and the US. These initiatives are positioned to contribute to the global expansion of Japanese startups and the creation of collaboration opportunities with overseas startups.
Todai IPC evaluated Alumni Ventures' global investment and network foundation, as well as its efforts to structurally connect the Japanese and US ecosystems, and decided on this investment.
Through this investment, we will strengthen collaboration with Alumni Ventures' US-centric investment network and ecosystem, expand access opportunities to the global market for Japanese university-launched startups, and promote the creation of collaboration opportunities with overseas startups.
Comment from Mike Collins, Alumni Ventures, LLC
“We are deeply honored to partner with Todai IPC. Todai IPC is one of the most important institutional investors driving Japan's innovation ecosystem, and their support will further powerfully boost Alumni Ventures' commitment to the Japanese market.
Alumni Ventures' mission is to bring global networks and expertise to the Japanese startup community and its excellent entrepreneurs. Through our partnership with Todai IPC, we look forward to becoming a bridge that connects Japanese innovation to the world and contributing to the creation of the next generation of global companies.”
ASA Fund aims to be a hub for creating Japanese university-launched startups and expanding the ecosystem
The ASA Fund aims to solve challenges in Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem, further strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, government, and overseas entities, elevate Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem to a top global level, and contribute to strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness in the world by fostering world-class unicorn startups. For its specific operation, it primarily invests in university VC funds (fund-of-funds) that invest in and support university-launched startups, in order to unearth abundant technological seeds mainly from universities, support their commercialization, and nurture and support startups that can expand globally.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is one of the world's leading venture capital firms, selected as one of America's Top Venture Capital Firms of 2025 by TIME magazine and Top Venture Investors in North America by CB Insights (Note).
Company Name: Alumni Ventures, LLC
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Established: 2014
Representative: Michael Collins
Fund Name: Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund, LP
Investment Areas: Japan-US startups focusing on AI, Deep Tech, DX, and Life Sciences
(Note)
TIME: America's Top Venture Capital Firms of 2025
https://time.
Towards strengthening the global expansion foundation through connecting the Japan-US startup ecosystems
For the sustainable development of Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem, it is essential to steadily commercialize excellent research seeds accumulated domestically and to connect them to growth opportunities with a global market perspective from an early stage. Especially in the deep tech sector, in addition to research and development capabilities, connection with overseas investors, operating companies, and markets becomes increasingly important from the initial stages of business growth.
Alumni Ventures has a strong connection with investment networks and startup ecosystems primarily in the United States, and by establishing a base in Japan, it is promoting the construction of a platform that connects startups and investment opportunities between Japan and the US. These initiatives are positioned to contribute to the global expansion of Japanese startups and the creation of collaboration opportunities with overseas startups.
Todai IPC evaluated Alumni Ventures' global investment and network foundation, as well as its efforts to structurally connect the Japanese and US ecosystems, and decided on this investment.
Through this investment, we will strengthen collaboration with Alumni Ventures' US-centric investment network and ecosystem, expand access opportunities to the global market for Japanese university-launched startups, and promote the creation of collaboration opportunities with overseas startups.
Comment from Mike Collins, Alumni Ventures, LLC
“We are deeply honored to partner with Todai IPC. Todai IPC is one of the most important institutional investors driving Japan's innovation ecosystem, and their support will further powerfully boost Alumni Ventures' commitment to the Japanese market.
Alumni Ventures' mission is to bring global networks and expertise to the Japanese startup community and its excellent entrepreneurs. Through our partnership with Todai IPC, we look forward to becoming a bridge that connects Japanese innovation to the world and contributing to the creation of the next generation of global companies.”
ASA Fund aims to be a hub for creating Japanese university-launched startups and expanding the ecosystem
The ASA Fund aims to solve challenges in Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem, further strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, government, and overseas entities, elevate Japan's university-launched startup ecosystem to a top global level, and contribute to strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness in the world by fostering world-class unicorn startups. For its specific operation, it primarily invests in university VC funds (fund-of-funds) that invest in and support university-launched startups, in order to unearth abundant technological seeds mainly from universities, support their commercialization, and nurture and support startups that can expand globally.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is one of the world's leading venture capital firms, selected as one of America's Top Venture Capital Firms of 2025 by TIME magazine and Top Venture Investors in North America by CB Insights (Note).
Company Name: Alumni Ventures, LLC
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Established: 2014
Representative: Michael Collins
Fund Name: Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund, LP
Investment Areas: Japan-US startups focusing on AI, Deep Tech, DX, and Life Sciences
(Note)
TIME: America's Top Venture Capital Firms of 2025
https://time.