Rakuten Capital

Rakuten Capital invests on behalf of Rakuten Group, the internet services company headquartered in Tokyo, as its corporate venture unit. Launched in 2013, it backs start-ups around the world and gives them operational help plus access to the wider Rakuten business, which runs more than 70 services.

What Rakuten Capital offers

• Rakuten Ventures: early and growth-stage investment in IT start-ups, with access to Rakuten's businesses for distribution.
• FinTech Fund: backs financial services start-ups, drawing on the group's work in cards, payments, banking, insurance and securities.
• Global EC Fund: invests in e-commerce start-ups and merchants using the group's data and resources.
• Mobility investments: early to late-stage stakes in ridesharing and mobility platforms.
• Strategic investment: backs start-ups whose technology or products fit the Rakuten ecosystem.

Who it works with

Start-ups in commerce, communications, marketing, financial services, mobility and healthcare, across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its portfolio of more than 90 companies includes Careem, Carousell, GoTo, Lyft, Pinterest and Upstart.

Key facts

• Based in: Tokyo, Japan
• Founded: 2013
• Parent: Rakuten Group
• Leadership: Hiroshi Takasawa, President and Managing Partner