JR East Start Up

What is JR East Start Up?

JR East Start-Up, identified as a corporate venture capital (CVC) entity, operates with the strategic objective of harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship to complement and enhance the JR (Japan Railways) East Group's business domains. The fund invests in promising startups that offer innovative technologies and business models that have the potential to contribute to new value creation, in line with JR East's vision for the future.

They place a strong emphasis on startups that can contribute meaningfully to the concept of 'Beyond Stations,' aiming to expand the possibilities of railway stations becoming more than just transportation hubs, but comprehensive lifestyle centers. The firm supports entrepreneurs through a startup program designed to foster growth by providing resources, mentoring, and access to the JR East network. As part of their partnership program, they also collaborate with various partners to co-create solutions that enhance their core services and address social challenges.

They often showcase their investments and entrepreneurial partnerships through events such as 'Startup on Demand' and 'Startup Pitch,' which are featured prominently on their website. Engagement with current societal trends like SDGs is also a critical theme for JR East Start Up, as indicated by mentions of sustainable development projects within their ecosystem.

What they say:

We leverage our extensive management and statistical resources to support the growth of emerging startups.

What we look for: We invest in companies leveraging management resources and data analytics.