Since 2015, Real Tech Holdings has operated the Real Tech Fund, a VC fund specializing in deep tech startups addressing global and human challenges. The company is now relaunching as “UntroD,” a venture dedicated to exploring uncharted areas of capitalism. UntroD aims to pioneer and prove the economic viability of essential sectors that lack established capital flow, thereby attracting continuous investment and talent.

As part of this new endeavor, UntroD is collaborating with Nomura Asset Management, one of Japan’s largest asset management firms, to prepare the establishment of a crossover impact fund. This fund will invest across both public and private markets, aiming to generate both financial returns and positive social impact.

Additionally, as of April 1, 2024, Akihiko Nagata, co-founder of the Real Tech Fund and a long-time leader of Euglena Co., Ltd., will return as President and CEO to lead UntroD’s mission.

Profile of Akihiko Nagata
Since joining Euglena Co., Ltd. before its public offering, Akihiko Nagata has served as a Director, overseeing business strategy, finance, and the biofuel sector. In 2021, he was appointed CEO, responsible for the execution of all business operations. He left the company in 2024. In 2015, he established the Real Tech Fund to promote deep tech investments addressing social issues and continues to serve as its representative. He is also the founder and manager of Amayadori, the first social impact IPO in Japan originating from an NPO, and serves as an advisor to the management of Heralbony, demonstrating his commitment to achieving social impact within capitalism.

We have been pioneering the uncharted territory of deep tech through the “Real Tech Fund,” focusing on solutions that address global and human challenges but have historically lacked sufficient capital. Since our establishment in April 2015, we have managed over 30 billion yen and invested in approximately 100 seed and early-stage deep tech startups, providing not only financial support but also specialized management assistance in areas such as intellectual property, manufacturing, recruitment, and public relations.

In 2020, we launched the “Glocal Deep Tech Fund” to create capital flows to regional areas and tackle the uncharted territory of “solving global issues from local innovations.” While about 80% of startup investment in Japan is concentrated in Tokyo, many deep tech innovations originate from regional universities. As a result, 65% of Real Tech Fund’s investments are in startups from these regions. In October 2023, QPS Institute, a startup from Kyushu University, went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market, marking a significant social and economic impact from a regional startup.

Also in 2020, we established the “Real Tech Global Fund” to support deep tech startups addressing global deep issues. Our first focus was Southeast Asia, a region with a population of 650 million, an average annual growth rate of 5.2%, and an average age under 30, but facing significant challenges in energy mix, decarbonization, agriculture, food, healthcare, communication infrastructure, and rapid urbanization. With bases in Singapore and Malaysia, we have partnered with local research institutions and government agencies to invest in leading deep tech startups. For example, Malaysia’s Aerodyne, a drone solution provider, has grown to become the industry leader, creating substantial social and economic impacts across dozens of countries.

Our next challenge is a fund designed to bridge the gap between public and private markets.

Pre- and post-IPO startups face several issues such as a lack of growth capital at the late stage, small IPOs, weak governance, and difficulties adapting to the dramatically changing environment post-IPO. To address these challenges, crossover investment is needed to support consistent growth from the late stage through post-IPO.

To this end, we are establishing the Crossover Impact Fund by combining our extensive experience in deep tech startup investment with Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.’s effective engagement methods with listed companies. This fund will provide long-term capital to promising late-stage startups aiming for impact-driven IPOs that address social issues and support sustainable growth and enhanced corporate value post-IPO .

We will continue to evolve the “Real Tech Fund,” which has pioneered deep tech, and strive to create a mechanism that channels capital to unexplored areas critical for the planet and society, yet lacking in economic and human capital.

Real Tech Holdings Co., Ltd. has changed its name to UntroD Capital Japan Co., Ltd. and relocated its office. Additionally, we have revamped our website to better reflect our mission.

Company Name Change

“UntroD” comes from “Untrodden” in English. The “D” in UntroD represents the “three Deeps” – solving Deep Issues (serious social problems) with Deep Solutions (fundamental solutions) to achieve Deep Social Impact (significant social impact), reflecting our process of pioneering unexplored territories.

Office Relocation

Website URL Change

Contact Information:
UntroD Capital Japan Co., Ltd.
PR Contact: Narita
https://untrod.inc/contact