Shizen Capital

Shizen Capital operates as an independent venture capital firm, primarily focused on early-stage investments from pre-seed to Series A rounds. The firm strategically backs startups within the climate, healthcare, and consumer sectors, emphasizing companies that align with promoting sustainability and social impact. Its investment thesis centers on supporting these ventures in Japan and across broader Asia, aiming to foster their domestic growth and facilitate global expansion.

The firm was founded in 2016 by a team of former entrepreneurs, including Matthew Romaine and Mark Bivens. Their collective experience informed an insight into the necessity of an independent, founder-centric investment approach to catalyze innovation within the Japanese startup ecosystem. They identified a need to support ambitious projects capable of driving digital transformation and addressing critical societal challenges.

Shizen Capital targets a diverse portfolio of early-stage founders seeking to scale their operations and impact. The company’s long-term vision is to empower Japan's next generation of entrepreneurs, enhancing the international competitiveness of Japanese firms and contributing to a sustainable future. It seeks to cultivate a robust environment where innovative companies can thrive and achieve significant social and environmental returns.