venture capital

UTEC Raises USD 326m Fund and Surpasses USD 1bn in AUM

Norbert Gehrke

12 Jul 2025 — 3 min read

The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), one of Japan's premier science & technology venture capital firms, has raised its sixth fund, UTEC 6, with a size of JPY 47 billion (approximately USD 326 million). With the launch of UTEC 6, the firm has surpassed USD 1 billion in total assets under management (AUM), reinforcing its position as Japan's largest science & technology-focused VC firm—and one of the most prominent in Asia. UTEC 6 is purpose-built to realize the vision of creating globally competitive, multi-billion-dollar startups with Japan's scientific and industrial excellence at their core.

SMBC Value Creation and AVITA Launch Joint Business Using Avatar Technology

SMBC Value Creation, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and AVITA have entered into a new business partnership agreement to launch a joint business utilizing avatar technology. By combining the technologies and expertise of both companies, they aim to improve productivity at Japanese companies. SMBC Value Creation has obtained

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance to Acquire Time Machine Underwriters

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI), a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group, has decided to acquire shares of Time Machine Underwriters (TMU), a Managing General Agency (MGA) specialized in Representation & Warranty Insurance in Japan. MSI plans to acquire the majority ownership share of TMU on August 1 2025, and

UPSIDER Establishes Venture Debt Fund "UPSIDER BLUE DREAM Growth Fund 2"

UPSIDER Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of UPSIDER Corporation, has completed the final close of the second fund "UPSIDER BLUE DREAM Growth Fund 2", within the venture debt fund "UPSIDER BLUE DREAM Fund" operated as a joint venture with Mizuho Financial Group. This Fund includes participation from

SMBC Group Launches Agentic AI Venture to Pioneer Next-Generation Enterprise AI

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group) will appoint Ahmed Jamil Mazhari to lead transformation initiatives aimed at accelerating group-wide AI strategy and integration. In partnership with Mazhari, SMFG will also establish a new agentic AI solutions company in Singapore, first serving SMBC Group as “customer zero” before expanding to the

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SMBC Value Creation and AVITA Launch Joint Business Using Avatar Technology

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance to Acquire Time Machine Underwriters

UPSIDER Establishes Venture Debt Fund "UPSIDER BLUE DREAM Growth Fund 2"

SMBC Group Launches Agentic AI Venture to Pioneer Next-Generation Enterprise AI