ANRI & JAFCO launches “UNLOCK”, an investment program specializing in female entrepreneurs
*ANRI*
Press release: August 7, 2024
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ANRI & JAFCO launches “UNLOCK”, an investment program specializing in female entrepreneurs
* Independent venture capital ANRI (Minato-ku, Tokyo: Representative Partner Anri Samata, hereinafter referred to as ANRI) and JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Keisuke Miyoshi, hereinafter referred to as JAFCO) announces that they will jointly launch the investment program “UNLOCK” specializing in female entrepreneurs and will begin accepting applications for the first period. I will do it. *
◾Background
Since the end of November 2020, ANRI has been striving to achieve DE&I throughout the company, aiming for a minimum investment ratio of 20% or more in companies headed by women. Since the announcement of positive action, ANRI
Of the 98 companies invested in by Fund No. 4, 20 (20.4%) were represented by women, achieving the goal. Latest ANRI
We are also working towards our 20% target for Fund No. 5.
In total, we have been able to meet and invest in 33 wonderful female entrepreneurs from ANRI Funds 1 to 5. (As of the end of May 2024) ANRI Women Entrepreneurs’ Invested Companies (Some)
However, in Japan as a whole, only 2% (*1) of female entrepreneurs go on to raise funds, making us aware that we are still halfway through the process. While supporting many female entrepreneurs, I have witnessed firsthand the complex and structural issues surrounding female entrepreneurs. In order to correct this structural distortion and support the success of as many female entrepreneurs as possible, we will launch an investment program specifically for “female entrepreneurs.”
We will accelerate our efforts to increase the number of minorities to at least 30% who feel that they are not minorities, and to create a society where “female entrepreneurs” are naturally called
“entrepreneurs.”
(*1) Citing the amount raised by companies whose founders or presidents are women among the top 50 companies that received funding from the Financial Services Agency’s “Proposals for Resolving Gender Diversity Issues in the Startup Ecosystem.”
JAFCO mainly invests in the seed and early stages, and has supported many entrepreneurs as a venture capital with the longest history in Japan. This time, with the desire to create an environment that makes it easier for entrepreneurs to take on challenges, we have decided to support and participate in the investment program “UNLOCK” that specializes in female entrepreneurs.
We hope that this program will be an opportunity to encourage female entrepreneurs with high ambitions to take on challenges.
* ◾What is “UNLOCK”, an investment program specializing in female entrepreneurs?*
The target audience will be limited to female entrepreneurs, and the first batch of students will be selected.
In the past, we have supported female entrepreneurs, and it has become clear why it is difficult for minority female entrepreneurs to raise funds. In order to create an environment where female entrepreneurs can concentrate more on their businesses, we will provide the following support.
* ■ Overview *
* 1. Investment from ANRI at the time of selection *
For companies selected for the program, ANRI will consider investing in the range of 5 million yen to 50 million yen. Regarding investment conditions, please consult with the capitalist during the selection process.
* 2.Moving into CIRCLE by ANRI*
CIRCLE by, an incubation facility of over 1,200 square meters located in Roppongi Hills Mori Tower
ANRI has been established. We will invite you free of charge to the office spaces where many existing ANRI investees occupy. You can participate in many closed events and study sessions within ANRI. You can also take advantage of our network of over 250 portfolio companies.
* 3. Accompanying support by capitalists *
ANRI and JAFCO’s capitalists will be in charge of supporting capital policy and business planning from an early stage. In addition, we draw up growth and exit strategies at the initial stage of business and increase value in anticipation of the next procurement. The frequency and form of support will be flexibly tailored to suit the wishes of the entrepreneur.
◾Recruitment requirements
1. *Target companies*
Targeting startups from pre-seed to early stage, whose
representative is a female entrepreneur. Applications can be submitted even at the idea stage. The target is “startups” that are growing rapidly and aiming to exit through listing (IPO) or M&A (sale). Small businesses aiming for steady growth are not eligible. This program is for people who have a market capitalization of at least 10 billion yen or more at the time of exit and who have the intention of becoming a rapidly growing company known as a unicorn, with a market
capitalization of at least 100 billion yen or more.
To aim for a unicorn, specifically, “Achieve annual sales of 100% within 10 years.”
There is a standard for whether or not you have the intention to aim for 100 million yen. However, the current business plan does not necessarily have to include a business that is expected to generate sales of 10 billion yen in the future. After selection, ANRI and JAFCO capitalists will accompany you and draw up a growth strategy together.
2. * Business area * Business area does not matter. to
We invest in a wide range of areas, including C applications, SaaS for engineering plastics, D2C retail, deep tech, and biotechnology, so there are no restrictions on the area.
3. * Selection method *
Selection will be made in the order in which applications are received from the application form. First, we will make a selection based on the documents you submit, so please wait for an email from the secretariat. (Scheduled for approximately 2 weeks after
submission)
For those who pass the document screening, we will set up an interview with venture capitalists from ANRI and JAFCO. We will discuss the next steps during the interview.
4. * Schedule *
*Application deadline* *Friday, August 30, 2024*
*Interviews with those who passed the document screening*
*Sequentially from July 22, 2024 (Monday)*
* Announcement of selected candidates* * After early September 2024* If you have a strong preference for the investment schedule, please write that in the notes section of the application form.
■How to apply
Please apply from the UNLOCK homepage below.
UNLOCK homepage: https://www.anri-unlock.com/
Application Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTN9wr_T58cJK_Xbw7551ijfl_VlYiIMsjuzcNUi_VZeqrCA/viewform
* ■ Comment from person in charge*
* UNLOCK Project Supervisor/ANRI Senior Associate Riho Kawaguchi * Since we declared positive action in November 2020, we have not only made investments in female entrepreneurs, but also attempted to promote diversity and inclusion in various ways, such as holding mentoring events and disseminating information. Ta. However, the environment surrounding female entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem, including funding, is still difficult. We are aware that it will take a tremendous amount of time and energy to resolve structural distortions, but we will steadily do what we can as venture capitals, one step at a time, to move the entire ecosystem forward. I would like to contribute.
We are looking forward to female entrepreneurs who will break through the glass ceiling, unyielding to social constraints, and carve out a future together with us.
*ANRI Representative Partner Henri Samata*
Since 2021, we have continued to actively support female entrepreneurs from the perspective of diversity.
Thanks to you, we have received support from many entrepreneurs, investors, and the media.
But of course not everything is going perfectly. Every day is a struggle and struggle. The fund’s responsibility is to “create the ideal society through investment and generate high returns.” Our current activities are about 40. However, after three years of trying, I have come to understand what I need to support.
We would like to expand our circle of support through UNLOCK. I would like to work with JAFCO, a venture capital company that I deeply respect, to create the society that the industry as a whole should strive for.
*ANRI General Partner Junichiro Kono*
Since we launched Positive Action in November 2021, we have been fortunate to have been selected by many female entrepreneurs, and I have had the opportunity to directly support several female
entrepreneurs. On the other hand, through post-investment support, we found that there was an information gap due to limited opportunities to participate in the network, and as a result, recruitment, organizational development, and funding were more difficult than expected. Not only will we increase the number of female entrepreneurs by encouraging would-be entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business but are unable to take the first step, but we will also increase the number of successful female entrepreneurs through multifaceted support. I would like to create a society where people are called “entrepreneurs” without being judged based on their gender.
* JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. Partner Yutaro Saka / Senior Associate Nao Oishi * Through this program, we would like to further strengthen our long-term support system, which not only helps female entrepreneurs solve problems during their start-up period, but also expands their business after raising funds.
By working closely with entrepreneurs from an early stage, we hope to build deeper relationships of trust than ever before and create the optimal environment for entrepreneurs.
Through this program, we will strive to contribute to the advancement of Japan’s startup ecosystem in the future. We look forward to receiving applications from many female entrepreneurs.
◾About JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in 1973, JAFCO has always worked alongside entrepreneurs who are leading the way.
The total amount of commitments made by managed funds in Japan and overseas exceeds 1 trillion yen, and the cumulative number of listed companies has increased.
Over 1,000 companies. In addition to venture investments, we also engage in buyout investments.
Our purpose is to create a cycle of growth by investing in challenges, and we are committed to creating innovative technologies and services around the world. We want to be the closest to entrepreneurs and help them realize their aspirations, so we provide support in HR, marketing/sales, back office, etc.
◾About venture capital ANRI
Since the establishment of the ANRI No. 1 Fund in 2012, ANRI has consistently invested in startups specializing in the early stages of founding (seed stage), and currently has five flagship funds and ANRI, which specializes in decarbonization issues.
We operate the GREEN Fund and other funds, with a cumulative total of approximately 78 billion yen under management.
Based on the vision of “Let’s create the future, an overwhelming future,” we support university-originated R&D startups in a wide range of technology fields such as deep tech and life sciences, in addition to the Internet field, which has been our strength since our founding. We are also focusing on In addition, in order to support our investees during their startup stages, we operate a 1,200 square meter incubation office in Roppongi Hills, providing support from the preparatory stages of starting a business in an environment more similar to that of entrepreneurs.
* ◾About ANRI DE&I initiatives*
“Diversity” includes many factors, including not only gender but also nationality and religion, and at ANRI we are strengthening our efforts by focusing on gender first.
ANRI has been trying to promote diversity and inclusion through information dissemination and regular DE&I office hours. In the future, we will continue to use our imagination to consider the existence of people who are difficult to spotlight in the existing social structure, and continue to ask what we can do as a venture capital firm.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via the ANRI homepage below.
https://anri.vc/contact/
◾ Company profile
*Company name: ANRI Co., Ltd.*
Representative: Representative Partner Henri Samata
Address: 15F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo CIRCLE by ANRI
Company website: https://anri.vc