CVC's Investment Themes

The investment themes of corporate venture capital (CVC) continue to diversify with the evolution of technology. The JAPAN CVC SURVEY 2023 reveals the latest trends in investment areas that CVCs in Japan are focusing on.

‍

Top 5 Investment Themes

【1. AI (Artificial Intelligence): 81%】
・The highest level of attention
・Cross-industry application potential
・Expectations for new technologies like generative AI
・Wide-ranging expectations from operational efficiency to new service creation

【2. SaaS: 66%】
・Supports corporate DX (Digital Transformation)
・Stable revenue model
・High scalability is attractive
・Focus on recurring revenue

【3. Digital: 65%】
・Mainstream of digital transformation
・Digitization of existing industries
・Potential for creating new services

【4. DX, Platform, Solutions: 64%】
・Addresses corporate efficiency needs
・Industry-specific solutions
・Digitalization support tools

【5. Mobility, Autonomous Driving, Robotics, Environment: 61%】
・Investments in next-generation technologies
・Social issue-solving themes
・Environmentally conscious innovation

Emerging Investment Themes

・FinTech (46%): Innovation in financial services
・AgriTech (45%): Evolution of agricultural technology
・CleanTech (45%): Expectations for environmental technologies
・Healthcare (44%): Medical and health sectors
・Web3 (42%): Next-generation internet

Characteristics of Investment Themes

1. Mainstreaming of Digital Technologies
・AI/IoT as foundational technologies
・Operational efficiency solutions
・Expansion of cloud services

2. Increase in Social Issue-Solving Themes
・Focus on environmental technologies
・Consideration for sustainability
・Innovation in social infrastructure

3. Cross-Industry Approach
・Application across multiple industries
・Industry-specific solutions
・Fusion of technologies

Summary

In 2024, CVC investment themes are primarily led by digital technologies, particularly AI and SaaS. AI, in particular, stands out with 81% attention, and its potential for use across industries is highly anticipated.

At the same time, themes focused on solving social issues, such as environmental technologies and healthcare, are also increasing in importance, and there is a growing trend toward balancing technological innovation with the creation of social value.

Going forward, with further advancements in AI and the emergence of new technologies, the diversification of investment themes is expected to progress even more. CVCs will need to accurately capture these changes and make strategic investment decisions.

‍