# JR East Start Up

JR East Start Up is a Corporate Venture Capital based in Tokyo, Japan.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Corporate Venture Capital
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** TokyoYard Building 6·7F, 2-21-42 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0074, Japan
- **Founded:** 2018
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed — ¥5.0 billion (approx. $34 million) capital commitment from East Japan Railway Company (per firm website)
- **Website:** jrestartup.co.jp

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

JR East Start UP is the CVC arm of East Japan Railway, based in Tokyo, Japan. It has made 63 investments, including a Series B - III investment in Ugo on March 19, 2026. The firm has 10 portfolio exits, with PicoCELA exiting on January 16, 2025.

## Sectors

- Mobility & Transportation
- PropTech
- AI/ML
- IoT & Hardware
- Energy Transition & Renewables
- Robotics & Automation

## People

- Yutaka Shibata — Representative Director and President

## Questions

### How does JR East Start Up source its portfolio companies?

The firm runs a bi-annual open-call program called the JR East Start Up Program, which solicits proposals around three themes: Regional Co-creation, Digital Co-creation, and Earth Co-creation (SDGs). The spring 2026 call alone drew 191 proposals from which seven were selected for collaboration and potential investment. The firm also runs a separate demand-side initiative, Startup on Demand, that publishes specific operational challenges from JR East Group companies.

### What investment stages does JR East Start Up typically target?

The firm operates as a stage-agnostic strategic investor, backing ventures from early prototype through growth-stage expansion as long as the business case ties to JR East’s infrastructure. Portfolio companies range from early-stage robotics startups like Connected Robotics to more mature mobility-services platforms such as WAmazing, which services inbound tourists.

### Does JR East Start Up co-invest alongside external venture capital firms?

While it does not publicize a formal co-investment policy, its standard model — forming a capital business alliance — involves direct equity stakes alongside a commercial collaboration agreement. The firm has historically acted as a lead or sole strategic investor in its portfolio companies, with no disclosed club-deal or syndicate structures.

## Related profiles

- [BS Private Equity](https://altss.com/profile/bs-private-equity)
- [JRJ Group](https://altss.com/profile/jrj-group)

---

Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/jr-east-start-up

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology