Post-Investment Support by CVC

One of the important roles of corporate venture capital (CVC) is supporting startups after investment. The JAPAN CVC SURVEY 2023 reveals the current state of post-investment support provided by Japanese CVCs.

Top 5 Key Support Categories

【1. Provision of Human Resources (94%)】
・Introduction of in-house experts
・Dispatch of engineers
・Introduction of management personnel
・The most implemented support measure

【2. Mentoring (97%)】
・Advice on management issues
・Support for business strategy formulation
・Growth strategy support
・Regular dialogue sessions

【3. Knowledge and Technology Sharing (89%)】
・Sharing of technical know-how
・Provision of industry insights
・Transfer of specialized knowledge
・Support for research and development

【4. Proof-of-Concept Projects (81%)】
・Provision of testing opportunities
・Test marketing
・Product verification opportunities
・Business commercialization support

【5. Sales Support (80%)】
・Customer introductions
・Support for market development
・Business matching
・Market expansion support

Other Key Support Areas

・Business unit value creation (43%)
・Board-level value creation (33%)
・Provision of other resources (40%)

Support System Characteristics

1. Comprehensive Support
・Combination of multiple support options
・Gradual implementation of support
・Flexible approach tailored to startup needs

2. Organizational Efforts
・Establishment of specialized teams
・Effective use of internal resources
・Regular reviews

3. Long-term Perspective
・Continuous relationship building
・Gradual value delivery
・Adjustment of support based on growth stages

Summary

Post-investment support provided by Japanese CVCs includes a wide range of services, primarily focusing on human resources provision and mentoring. In particular, the top 5 items, implemented by over 80% of CVCs, are critical support measures that directly contribute to startup growth.

This multifaceted support system reflects CVCs’ commitment to being true partners in the growth of startups, rather than just financial backers. In the future, we can expect the support offerings to diversify further, with the incorporation of digital technologies and support for global expansion. As the needs of startups evolve, more effective support programs will be required.

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