NTT Docomo has introduced a new investment fund totaling approximately $96 million, reaffirming its dedication to supporting early-stage technology firms. This latest fund, which spans a decade, aims to foster partnerships with startups both domestically and internationally, creating new business avenues for the company.
Since its initial fund of $64 million established in 2013, NTT Docomo has consistently expanded its investment efforts, launching two additional funds of $96 million each in 2017 and 2022. Managed by NTT Docomo Ventures, the firm has cultivated a portfolio comprising around 100 companies over the past twelve years, achieving exits for nearly 50% of its investments.
Under the leadership of Jun Yasumoto, who took charge in 2023, the company has invested in notable startups, including Israeli fraud prevention firm Riskified, which reached a valuation of $3.3 billion post-IPO in 2021, and Swedish industrial IT company Crosser, recently acquired by a UK competitor. NTT Docomo Ventures has recently focused its investments on sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and AI, including a stake in the US voice AI company ElevenLabs.