Global early-stage VC Antler has deployed $1.55 million (¥240M) across 10 Japanese startups, backing just 0.5% of over 2,100 applicants in one of its most selective cohorts yet. The investments span AI, robotics, logistics, legal tech, and deeptech, reinforcing Japan’s growing role as a launchpad for globally relevant technology companies.
What stands out is not just the capital deployed, but Antler’s rising conviction at inception. The firm has increased its initial cheque size to $150,000, with up to $400,000 available at the idea stage, signalling confidence in Japan’s founder quality and technical depth. This reflects a broader shift in early-stage investing, where VCs are choosing to go deeper with fewer, higher-conviction bets rather than spreading capital thin.
Strategically, Antler is positioning Japan as more than a domestic innovation hub. The firm is actively backing founders building global-first products from Japan, supported by strong engineering talent and increasing international founder participation. Notably, every Japanese company added to Antler’s 2025 portfolio includes at least one international founder, highlighting Japan’s emergence as a more open, globally connected startup ecosystem.
From a market lens, this move underscores how Japan is shedding its reputation as a slow-moving innovation market. Instead, it is becoming attractive for frontier technologies requiring precision, deep technical expertise, and long-term thinking areas where Japanese talent traditionally excels.
Overall, Antler’s focused deployment sends a clear signal: Japan is entering a new phase of startup maturity, where globally competitive companies can be built early, backed early, and scaled with conviction.
 across 10 Japanese startups, backing just 0.5% of over 2,100 applicants){kind=link}