Discover Delight Ventures

Delight Ventures is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups that aim to delight the world. Founded in 2019, the firm invests in and incubates companies with bold visions, strong missions, and global potential. With a close strategic relationship with DeNA Co., Ltd., a major Japanese tech conglomerate, Delight Ventures brings not only capital but also hands-on support, business development resources, and operational expertise to help founders thrive. From mobility and healthcare to media and lifestyle, the team at Delight Ventures seeks to empower startups solving real-world challenges with meaningful impact.

Investment Portfolio

• Total Investments: 65 companies (as of August 2024)
• Portfolio Companies: 65
• Total Exits: Not publicly disclosed.

Target Investment Stage

Delight Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, primarily in:

• Pre-Seed
• Seed
• Series A

Target Investment Areas

Delight Ventures invests in a diverse range of sectors, including:

• AI and Automation
• Deep Tech
• Mobility
• Fintech
• Healthcare
• SaaS and Enterprise Solutions
• Consumer Services

Target Geographies

• Primarily Japan, with selective investments in overseas markets.

Portfolio Companies

Delight Ventures has invested in a variety of startups, including:

• Privacy Tech
• Fuse
• OptQC
• Zaimo
• Streamo
• STRACT
• 10pct.
• Cooper
• Trans N
• Be Informatica

Exits

• Not publicly disclosed.

Why Delight Ventures?

• Founded in 2019, Delight Ventures launched a 10 billion yen (approx. USD 100 million) venture fund, focused on early-stage investments in Japan and beyond.
• The firm is a spin-off from DeNA, benefiting from deep industry knowledge and networks across mobile, gaming, and consumer services.
• Delight Ventures invests beyond capital, offering strategic incubation and long-term partnerships to help founders succeed in highly competitive markets.
• They focus on sectors like healthcare, mobility, fintech, media, and lifestyle, empowering mission-driven startups aiming for both financial return and global relevance.

Funds

1. Delight Ventures No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership

• Business Content: Venture investment and co-creation
• Established: September 2019
• Focus: Seed and early-stage startups
• Partner Opportunity: This fund is designed for early-stage startups seeking both capital and co-creation support. Ideal for founders looking for strategic venture investment combined with operational guidance.

2. Delight Ventures No. 2 Investment Limited Partnership

• Business Content: Venture investment
• Established: April 2023
• Focus: Continued investment in seed/early-stage startups with deeper capital support
• Partner Opportunity: For startups focused solely on fundraising without a co-building component, Delight Ventures offers financial backing for scalable, high-growth ventures.

3. Delight Ventures Builder No. 2 Investment Limited Partnership

• Business Content: Venture co-creation (Venture Builder)
• Established: March 2023
• Focus: Startups built from scratch with entrepreneurs, providing equity and operational support
• Partner Opportunity: This fund supports entrepreneurs or side hustlers who want to launch startups in close collaboration with Delight Ventures as a venture builder. Best suited for individuals with ideas or prototypes seeking shared operational resources and product-building support.

What's in it for you?

1. Venture Investment Partner

• Early-Stage Capital Support: Delight Ventures invests in promising seed and early-stage startups from Japan, providing the necessary capital to support their growth and help them expand globally.
• Expert Guidance: The program is managed by entrepreneurs and experienced business managers, including Tomoko Namba, offering startups support in areas such as capital raising, marketing, PR, finance, and strategic planning.
• Global Professional Experience: With managing partners residing in the United States, Delight Ventures provides startups with expertise on global standards and supports those aiming to create global-scale businesses.
• Extensive Network: Collaborating with DeNA, Delight Ventures maintains a community of DeNA alumni and offers frequent information exchange, collaboration opportunities, and recruitment support to investment target companies.

2. Venture Builder Partner

• Entrepreneurial Support: The Venture Builder program provides an environment for entrepreneurs to pursue new business ventures while minimizing risks, allowing them to focus on taking on new challenges.
• Management Ownership: Entrepreneurs are encouraged to lead in launching and growing their businesses, taking a majority share when the business is spun out, ensuring a good financial return.
• Risk Minimization: The program includes various testing to minimize unnecessary risks that often occur in the early stages of starting a business, allowing entrepreneurs to continue their regular jobs initially and earn a salary during later stages.
• Dynamic Support System: Delight Ventures offers considerable support, including know-how from supporting various startups, advice from entrepreneurial experts, and insights from developing a wide array of products.
• Venture Builder Challenge: A startup support program operated by Delight Ventures, providing a structured framework for entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas.

Why should you collaborate with Delight Ventures?

Delight Ventures operates through two distinct investment vehicles and a venture builder program designed to meet startups where they are—whether they're launching, growing, or refining their business. The firm combines capital with hands-on partnership, offering both venture investment and co-creation support to help founders maximize their potential. With over 65 portfolio investments (as of August 2024) and strong ties to the DeNA alumni network, they offer unparalleled access to entrepreneurial expertise, global business experience, and operational support. Whether you're looking for lead-stage funding or co-founding resources, Delight Ventures is structured to partner deeply with founders solving meaningful societal and market problems.

Ready to Collaborate?

Looking for the right partner to fund, build, or scale your next venture—without quitting your day job or wasting months on pitch decks? Delight Ventures might just be your launchpad.

Interested? Explore Delight Ventures’ Partner Programs or start building your own on the Openfor.co Marketplace in just under 10 minutes!