# Signifiant

Signifiant is a Private Equity based in Tokyo, Japan.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Founded:** 2017
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** signifiant.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/signifiant

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Signifiant is a venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan, that seeks to invest in technology and service sectors. Signifiant is an investment firm that provides management support for pre-IPO and post-IPO startups.

## People

- Yusuke Asakura — 共同代表 (Co-Representative)
- Kenji Kobayashi — 共同代表 (Co-Representative)
- Takafumi Murakami — 共同代表 (Co-Representative)

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Signifiant?

All three co-representatives — Yusuke Asakura, Kenji Kobayashi, and Takafumi Murakami — make investment decisions jointly. The firm does not operate a partner-assigned coverage model; instead, the three principals engage each portfolio company as a group. This applies to THE FUND's private growth investments, the management-advisory practice, and the public-equity book.

### How does Signifiant source deal flow?

Signifiant sources opportunities primarily through its management-advisory practice and the personal networks of its three founders. The firm runs a fee-based advisory business for growth-stage companies, which serves as a pipeline: it advised SmartHR for roughly a year before THE FUND led an investment round in July 2019. Direct inbound inquiries from entrepreneurs are accepted through the website, though the firm cautions it cannot respond to all contacts given its deliberately small team.

### What investment stages does Signifiant target?

THE FUND targets late-stage private companies in Japan, defined as businesses with established product-market fit, paying customers, and prior rounds from external venture investors. Seed and early-stage startups are excluded. Once a portfolio company lists, Signifiant continues its engagement through the post-IPO phase — what the firm calls bridging the 'second valley of death' — rather than distributing shares at or shortly after the offering.

### What is Signifiant's posture on board seats?

Signifiant does not seek board representation. The firm believes that controlling decisions through equity ownership or board seats is inappropriate governance for growth-stage companies. Instead, it advises portfolio companies to appoint truly independent outside directors suitable for a public-company governance profile.

### How is Signifiant related to Mizuho Financial Group?

Mizuho Financial Group is a strategic partner in THE FUND. Signifiant manages and operates the vehicle, while Mizuho contributes capital and institutional backing. The exact LP structure has not been publicly disclosed beyond this co-management arrangement.

### What is THE FUND's typical check size?

THE FUND's basic investment range is Y2 billion to Y4 billion per company, with a minimum of Y1 billion. The fund invests on a concentrated basis — deliberately limiting the number of portfolio companies — and acts as a lead investor that forms the funding round rather than following terms set by others. Holdings are capped at 15% of a company's equity.

## Related profiles

- [Signia Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/signia-ventures)
- [Significant Capital Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/significant-capital-ventures)

---

Last updated: 2026-05-29T12:18:34.687Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/signifiant

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