FinTech, FashionTech, MusicTech ... Now the service of existing industry × technology called XTech (CrossTech) is increasing. This is my opinion, but I think that in particular those who are from the industry should engage in services that solve the problems inside the industry. Generally it is said that "IT is delayed" in every industry, so if people working in a specific industry recognize the negative of the industry for many years and at the same time acquire knowledge of IT, resolve the negative We can create services that can be done. In other words, we recognize that spin-out entrepreneurs' support from existing industries has an important meaning in terms of IT industrialization. Even if it is the area of toC, there is nothing to worry about with industry knowledge.

If it is a company introduced with pilot boat, I will handle fitting service for ladies underwearFITTINHomma's president is from a major underwear maker and B to B fashion freemark siteSmatterMr. Fukuya of Wie Fabric who handles is from a textile trading company.VisUniteMr. Ichibashi is experienced in the band and manages services for visual bands while holding hands with active artists.

"Apricot · Ventures" who invests mainly "spinout entrepreneur from large enterprise and business company" was born in 2018. I talked to Mr. Shirakawa, Representative Director.

Joined a new graduate in Cyber Agent 2008. Participated in CyberAgent Ventures since 2013 after engaging in sales department in the advertising department, as a producer / business manager in a game related subsidiary. He is engaged in investment activities and management support work of 20 start-ups in the early years, centered on Japan. Established Apricot · Ventures Co., Ltd. in 2018, and has formed a 1 billion fund, the scale of 1 billion yen. He graduated from Keio University School of Economics.

Apricot · Ventures Inc. Representative Director / General Partner Tomoki Shirakawa

(Interview: June, 2018)
(eye-catch image credit: apricot ventures)

Invest in spin-out entrepreneur VC

Apricot · Ventures Inc.("Apricot") announced on June 11, 2018 that "Apricot Venture Fund No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership Association" was formed as the first fund. Fund size will be approximately 700 million yen (to be expanded to 1 billion yen in the future), the investment area is IT startup of seed stage mainly in Japan, mainly entrepreneurs · startups spinning out from major companies · business companies Invest in.

Mr. Shirakawa, apricot representative, joined Cyber Agent Group with a new graduate. Among them, we established apricot via advertisement, game, VC (Cyber Agent · Ventures (CAV)). When CAV is enrolled, support for eating and drinking establishmentfavyAnd spot consultingVisasukWe have invested in.

As it were, it is a spin-out (independent) group from the operating company itself. Although it does not have a clear line drawing, it seems that spinout × IT startup means that the investment destination will be more entrepreneurs around 25 to 35 years old. (Of course there are cases to invest even if it is not in that range)

You do not necessarily need to be an entrepreneur who took advantage of your previous experience. If you stick with it, if you really look away from the task you really want to solve it is totally overwhelmed. However, if it is a social task or service tied to that person's background, I think that the probability of success will rise. (Mr. Shirakawa, the same below)

Apricot alreadyInvest in multiple companies(Partly open), for example, for unmanned convenience stores for offices600Investing in.

We also make a community that boosts entrepreneurship

What is interesting in Apricot's effort is entitled "Guest Dinner", a place where people who are considering entrepreneurs regularly can listen to talks of senior entrepreneurs.

I understand that I also experienced the same experience, but making decisions to spin out from a large company is not easy. I decided my independence by being told that I should try it soon.

However, there are many cases where entrepreneurs and counselors are not familiar. So I thought that I had to make a community that would encourage entrepreneurship, so I decided to set up a society that can talk to senior entrepreneurs once a month.

Even though it tends to forget when you are inside the startup area, it is not unusual for people who are not involved yet to challenge the startup though startup scenes are getting exciting recently. Even if you are a startup after you are over the age of 30, you can have family members in opposition. Many people will not have entrepreneurs who can consult around. I am thankful that there is a place to feel free to consult with senior entrepreneurs at such times.

Moreover, we are seeking to enhance not only before the start-up but also after the investment. Investors in LP to apricot contain business companies Tokyu Land Corporation and Minavi, and they are starting to collaborate in office search and sales, respectively. Apricot's office is a building produced by Tokyu Real Estate and has become a co-working office where investment destinations can work. Also, minavi is an established long-established company with talented people. Learn knowhow in sales support of investment destination.

I often refer to looking for a VC with good startup as "friends gathering", but this is the same when VC raises funds. This time we will be a company with the two operating companies and will jointly support the start-up of investment destination.

Apricot's co-working office (credit: apricot)

Again, Apricot · Ventures is a VC that invests mainly in "spinout", "seed period" and "IT startup". I have time to consult senior entrepreneur, of course, and I can meet people who are in similar circumstances. Since I will reply if you can contact my SNS, please do not hesitate to consult with investment, please feel free to call out.

VC "Apricot · Ventures" investing in "entrepreneurs who spun out operating companies". Even though the base of start-up entrepreneurs is expanding, starting in the first place is not such a casual thing. There is also an environment where we can talk to the company, so please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Shirakawa for the entrepreneur who is troubled.

【Mr. Shirakawa's SNS account】
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirakawa_t
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirakawa.tomoki.1

Company name: Apricot · Ventures Inc.
Representative: Tomoki Shirakawa
Location: Tokyo
Establishment date: 2018
U R L:https://apricot.vc/

AUTHOR
peitaro / Notomi Hayabusataira (Notomi Jumpei)
CEO of pilot boat / writer
Born in 1987. Graduated from Business Administration of Meiji University, graduate school of accounting at Waseda University. I passed a certified public accountant examination while I was in college. After engaging in accounting audit with a major audit corporation, I participate in a venture support company and produce more than 300 pitch / venture events and consult for open innovation.
In 2017 he independently established a joint venture company pilot boat and continued to engage in venture support. Long text startup introduction media "pilot boat"Online salon for start-up neighbor beginners"pilot boat salon", ToC venture presentation event"sproutIt operates. Specialty fields are FashionTech / BeautyTech and other lifestyle-culture toC services. I also serve as a writer related to startups and innovation on various media.
Twitter: @ jumpei_notomi