Message from the President
The development of startup businesses is an important aspect when considering the economic and employment growth of Japan. While the existing industry attempts to streamline management, it is believed that what fosters the bud of new growth and gives birth to new jobs is the promotion of R&D companies in new fields and services.
In addition, in order to revitalize startup businesses in Japan which is said to be in a prolonged “era of winter”, it is necessary to learn from startup businesses-advanced Western countries and at the same time, capture the spirit of Asian countries.
In addition, in order to revitalize startup businesses in Japan which is said to be in a prolonged “era of winter”, it is necessary to learn from startup businesses-advanced Western countries and at the same time, capture the spirit of Asian countries.
VEC endeavors to provide the best business environment for startup companies by taking advantage of more than 30 years of experience and network in venture industry, accurately grasping the trend in-and-out, and by providing necessary information and advice on policy-making.
We look forward to your continued guidance and encouragement in the future.
Venture Enterprise Center, Japan
President Ryuji Ichikawa
Introduction of VEC
What is VEC?
In order to support the development of startup companies in Japan, Venture Enterprise Center (abbreviated as VEC) was established as an organization approved by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (former Minister of International Trade and Industry) in 1975.
Since establishment, VEC had been engaged in debt guarantee operation (this service ended in FY 2001).
The company switched to general incorporated foundation on April 1, 2012. Currently, instead of this, we are conducting various startup business supporting activities such as “Provision of Research Information” in which we investigate the investment trends of venture capital, “Policy Proposal” through research and study on specific issues, and “Development of Entrepreneurial Environment” to promote the communication between the new entrepreneurs and supporters.
VEC History
| July 1975 | Established.Started R&D type debt operation |
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| July 1988 | Started knowledge integration type (new business model) debt operation |
| June 2006 | Changed the name to "Venture Enterprise Center, Japan" |
| March 2002 | Stopped handling new applications for debt guarantee operation |
| February 2003 | Launched Dream Gate business (ongoing entrustment of operation to private operators since2007) |
| December 2007 | Startup support network "NICe" in full-scale operation (ended in March 2010) |
| February 2010 | Moved the office to "Nihonbashi-kakigaracho, Chuo-ku" |
| March 2011 | Closed debt guarantee operation |
| September 2011 | Moved the office to "Kita-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku" |
| April 2012 | Switched toa General Incorporated Foundation |
| September 2016 | Moved the office to "Kudan-Kita, Chiyoda-ku" |
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Officer roster
Venture Enterprise Center, Japan, Director, Auditor, Councilor (April 1st, 2024)
Chief Director
| Ryuji Ichikawa | (full-time) (Last official position: Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, responsible for National and Regional Planning Bureau) |
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Directors
| Masatoshi Go | (part-time) Chief Executive Officer of TNP Partners Corporation |
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| Masaaki Suzuki | (part-time) Lawyer of Turner Law Office |
| Nobuyuki Hata | (part-time) Honorary Professor at Kokugakuin University Professor at Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies |
| Takeshi Fuyuno | (part-time) Director of Japan MIT Enterprise Forum |
| Masanori Yamawaki | (part-time) |
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Auditors
| Yosuke Horiai | (part-time) Certified Public Accountant of Horiai Account Office |
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Councilors
| Takashi Kumazawa | (part-time) President of Vision Research Institute Co.,Ltd. |
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| Nobumasa Tsutsui | (part-time) Chairman of Tokai Medical Products, Inc. |
| Hiroshi Hiraizumi | (part-time) Executive Vice President of Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN |
| Yoshiro Morishita | (part-time) President of Shinwa Syoji Co.,Ltd. |
(in syllabary order)
Location (Map)
Tokyo
〒102-0073
6F Funato Building, 1-2-3 Kudan-Kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL : ＋81-3-3230-8900 (Representative)
: ＋81-3-3230-8901 (General Affairs Division)
: ＋81-3-3230-8902 (Research & Business Development Division)
FAX : ＋81-3-3230-1110
<Route>
1 minutes walk from Exit 5 of “Kudan-shita Station” on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line / Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / Toei Shinjuku Line
Kansai Branch
〒 541-0053
9F Honmachi Business Building, 2-3-6 Honmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
TEL : 06-6263-0366
FAX : 06-4964-6293
<Route>
Go up by the elevator in front of the northwest ticket gate of “Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station” on Sakaisuji Line, and 2 minutes walk toward the left.
2 minutes walk from Exit 17 of “Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station” on Sakaisuji Line (escalator available).
7 minutes walk from Exit 7 of “Hommachi Station” on Midosuji Line.