# Yamaha Music Innovations

Yamaha Music Innovations is an other based in Japan.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** other
- **Headquarters:** Japan
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** Japan
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** https://yamahamusicinnovations.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/yamaha-music-innovations

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 340639
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/340639

## About

The Yamaha Music Innovation Fund focuses on early-stage investments in frontier technology, creative industry tools, and infrastructure that redefine how culture is made, shared, and experienced. It backs founders building tools, platforms, and experiences that empower creators in music and media. Core areas include creative tools and infrastructure, innovative and interactive media, community and collaboration, and empowerment and accessibility.

## Sectors

- Music & Audio Technology
- Consumer Electronics
- Digital Media & Entertainment

## People

- Scott Sugino — President and CEO
- Andrew Kahn — Managing Partner
- Jun Usui — CTO
- Conor Healy — Sr. Principal, Investment
- Sherry Shibase — Principal, Business Alliance
- James Terashima — Principal, Business Alliance
- Nattie Kobayashi — Principal, Design and UX

## Questions

### What types of startups does Yamaha Music Innovations typically invest in?

The unit targets early-stage companies in music production software (DAWs, plugins), audio hardware components, AI-driven composition and mastering tools, and platforms for live streaming or virtual concerts. Examples include investments in Splice (cloud-based creation) and LANDR (automated mastering). It covers both hardware and software, with a geographic focus on North America, Europe, and Asia.

### Does Yamaha Music Innovations invest for financial return, or is it purely strategic?

The unit is primarily strategic, aiming to access new technologies and ecosystems that align with Yamaha's long-term product roadmap. While financial returns are considered, the main goal is to create synergies with Yamaha's existing businesses — similar to a corporate venture capital arm of a manufacturing conglomerate. It does not manage a separate fund with external LPs.

### What is the relationship between Yamaha Music Innovations and Yamaha Corporation's main R&D operations?

Yamaha Music Innovations operates within Yamaha Corporation's corporate development or R&D structure, not as an independent entity. It supplements internal R&D by providing a channel to external innovation, particularly in software and digital audio. The unit's portfolio companies can collaborate with Yamaha's engineering teams in Japan, the US, and Europe.

### Is there any public information on the size or performance of Yamaha Music Innovations' portfolio?

No. Yamaha Corporation does not publicly disclose the dedicated budget, number of investments, or internal rate of return for Yamaha Music Innovations. The unit's AUM and deployment are undisclosed, and individual investment sizes are not routinely announced. Known investments (e.g., Splice, LANDR) are disclosed through press releases or startup funding reports.

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- [L1 Capital](https://altss.com/profile/l1-capital-international-pty-ltd)
- [Union Strategic Advisors](https://altss.com/profile/union-strategic-advisors)

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Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:08:42.881Z

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