JIC makes LP investments in Atomico Venture VI and Atomico Growth VI

• Developing opportunities for collaboration between overseas and domestic VCs to create global unicorns, and utilizing knowledge of overseas VCs
• Introducing global standards and practices to the domestic market

・ Attracting risk capital from foreign investors to the domestic VC market

Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) has announced its decision to make LP investments of USD20 million and USD30 million, respectively, in Atomico Venture VI and Atomico Growth VI, which are managed by Atomico (UK) Partners, a European technology-focused investment company.

JIC aims to stimulate a virtuous cycle of risk capital to support next-generation industries in Japan. To achieve this vision, JIC promotes open innovation as a means for supporting growth and enhancing the international competitiveness of businesses. JIC approaches these challenges by stimulating private sector investments in open innovation together with JIC’s own investment, while fostering investment professionals.

To achieve its mission, JIC invests in policy-relevant strategic business areas through LP investments in funds under JIC’s umbrella and in private funds.

Atomico was established in 2008 as a VC firm specializing in the technology sector. Its founder has a track record of growing technology companies such as Skype into world-class companies. The firm has a strong presence in Europe, having been involved in the creation of numerous unicorns through its Growth Acceleration Team, which assists companies in acquiring human resources and entering global markets, etc., and its Insights Team, which provides data-based support. Atomico Venture VI focuses on early-stage and Atomico Growth VI on growth-stage investment in technology companies in Atomico’s focus areas in Europe.

“Go Global” is listed as one of JIC’s priority investment areas, and the organization is committed to investing in overseas VCs to strengthen ties between domestic VCs/startups and overseas VCs.

Atomico has invested in Japanese startups launched both in Japan and in Europe, and has a growing interest in the expanding Japanese startup market. Atomico is eager to actively contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem in Japan and to consider growth-stage investments in Japan.

Through the LP investments in Atomico Venture VI and Atomico Growth VI, JIC hopes to introduce Atomico to opportunities for co-investment with domestic VCs in domestic startups, and to encourage Atomico to share its knowledge and experience relating to investment strategies for creating global unicorns, leading to collaboration between Atomico and domestic VCs. In addition, Atomico has knowledge on the development and financing of products and services targeting overseas markets, tailored to each stage from early to late, as well as global standards regarding capital policies and organizational structures for startups. JIC hopes that this will lead to the introduction of new methods and practices into the domestic market. JIC expects these efforts to ultimately contribute to increased interest among foreign investors in the Japanese startup market.

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