Special Investor Interview: Introducing the Japanese Deals Team
Hello everyone!
It’s Nazuki from the 021 Fund.
The 021 Fund is the corporate venture capital (CVC) team for Bandai Namco Entertainment. Its primary mission is to identify and invest in startups worldwide that have the potential to create strong synergies with the Bandai Namco Group in the future. Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Fund’s approach, striving to harness Bandai Namco's assets and intellectual properties (IPs) to develop innovative entertainment experiences or enhance existing businesses.
*IP…Intellectual properties such as characters
As of January 2025, the 021 Fund has made seven investments in Japan and nine internationally. This two-part interview series highlights the four members of the investment team, starting with Satoshi and Airy, who focus on investment deals in Japan.
Previous Careers
Nazuki: I’d like to start by discussing your career paths so far. How did you come to join the 021 Fund?
Satoshi: I joined Namco (now Bandai Namco Entertainment) as a fresh graduate and started my career in arcade game development. In 2011, I switched roles and worked on launching new businesses, where I spent about five years working on a game-method consulting service. This involved applying our expertise in game development to improve and enhance goods and services outside the gaming industry.
Nazuki: That sounds like what is now commonly referred to as "gamification." I also heard that you began investing in startups even before the 021 Fund officially launched.
Satoshi: That’s correct. In 2013, I worked on the company’s first startup investment. At the time, we didn’t have a dedicated CVC, so the process took quite a bit of time, but with the support from our executive officer, I successfully closed the deal. It was extremely rewarding to see that company go public.
Nazuki: So you’ve been involved in startup investments for over a decade. Airy, on the other hand, you were managing a company before joining the fund, correct?
Airy: Yes. After graduating college, I joined a bridal company and worked primarily in investor relations and PR. In my fifth year, I participated in an in-house venture program and ended up launching a subsidiary that ran an e-commerce site for bridal-related products. I managed the company as its CEO for six years, gaining extensive experience through various successes and failures. When I started thinking about my next career move, I wanted to be involved in a more globally oriented business, which led me to join the 021 Fund.
Nazuki: Working for the CVC of an entertainment company with a strong global footprint would surely give you the opportunity to engage with diverse business models and services. I understand you recently led an investment in Plott?
Airy: Yes, Plott specializes in creating IPs through short-form animation series, primarily distributed via social media. They’re also heavily focused on transmedia initiatives. As of July 2024, their animation series had gained over 9 million subscribers and generated 500 million monthly views. Their ability to consistently produce and push out new content aligned perfectly with our assets and expertise in expanding IPs, so we decided to invest.
Key Aspects when Making Investment Decisions
Airy: Companies capable of creating original entertainment content from scratch are rare and incredibly valuable. This goes true for Plott as well. Having run a business myself, I know how challenging it is to create something entirely new. I believe original Japanese entertainment content with global appeal is especially powerful, so I tend to focus on this area.
Satoshi: My focus, on the other hand, is on the synergies we can generate between the startup and the Bandai Namco Group. For example, I led the investment in Phoenixx, a company specializing in the production and publishing of indie games. Their agility and focus on indie games complement our capabilities, and this partnership has enabled us to collaborate on creating new IPs and building connections with indie game creators. We, on the other hand, support their game development and global publishing, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
Areas of Interest and Investment Thesis
Nazuki: Satoshi, you seem particularly interested in technologies and tools. What are your recent areas of focus?
Satoshi: Over the past decade, I’ve closely followed the rapid evolution of AI. The advancements I’ve seen are remarkable, bringing significant changes to development workflows and possibilities in entertainment. Although there are delicate challenges to navigate, I believe AI holds great potential for creating synergies with our business.
Airy: Building on what I mentioned earlier, I remain focused on projects within the content layer that have the potential to generate new IPs. With the growing number of outlets for entertainment content in recent years, IPs are becoming more valuable than ever. Globally, there is increasing demand and appreciation for Japanese IPs, so the ability to produce original IPs and build successful businesses around them is crucial to for an entertainment company. I would like to continue looking for companies and domains that could lead to the creation of new IPs.
Final Thoughts
Nazuki: I know both of you frequently attend events in Japan and overseas, and Satoshi, you will be hosting an event in February, correct?
Satoshi: Yes, on Thursday, February 20th, I’ll be hosting an event that will bring together multiple CVCs in the entertainment industry. There will be reverse pitches and other networking opportunities, so we’d love for anyone reading this to join us!
▶Entertainment Pitch & Meetup · Luma
Nazuki: Thank you both for your time today. It’s fascinating to see how you’re both focused on creating synergies but approach your work from different perspectives and areas of expertise. I believe this diversity is one of the unique strengths of the 021 Fund as a CVC. Please reach out to us with any inquiries or requests!
【Contacts（Facebook）】
Satoshi Iwasaki: Satoshi Iwasaki | Facebook
Airy Matsuda: Airy Matsuda | Facebook
021 Fund Contact Form: Contact Us | Bandai Namco Entertainment 021 Fund