Gobi Partners Expands to Japan, Bridging Southeast Asia’s Growth with Japan’s Innovation Frontier

TOKYO, JAPAN — 27 November 2025 — Gobi Partners, one of Asia’s most active venture capital firms, has entered Japan through JR East’s TAKANAWA GATEWAY Link Scholars’ Hub (LiSH) as a Global Network Partner, marking a decisive step in connecting Japan’s innovation frontier with Southeast Asia’s growth markets.

Located in TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, LiSH is part of East Japan Railway Company’s (JR East) next-generation smart-city development directly linked to Tokyo International Airport. Opened in May 2025, the hub serves as a “global gateway” for startups, corporates, and researchers to collaborate on technologies and business models shaping the future of urban life.

The expansion signals Gobi’s intent to bridge Japan’s world-class industrial and technological capabilities with Southeast Asia’s fast-rising entrepreneurial energy.

“Japan’s innovation ecosystem is hungry for new growth models, while Southeast Asia’s startups are now proving their scalability beyond home markets,” said Thomas G. Tsao, Co-Founder and Chair of Gobi Partners. “That convergence is where the next wave of cross-border venture activity will come from — and we want to be right in the middle of it.”

A Convergence Years in the Making

Gobi’s entry into Japan builds on years of collaboration with its venture ecosystem. The firm previously co-hosted the Malaysia–Japan Innovation & Capital Forum with the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and JETRO, convening policymakers, investors, and founders to explore IPO and M&A pathways, sovereign-grade data, and co-creation opportunities. Gobi also partnered with Cross Capital to channel Japanese investment into Southeast Asia’s fast-growing digital economy.

Its portfolio already reflects deep connections with Japan. Several Southeast Asian companies under Gobi have received strategic backing from leading Japanese corporations, including JULO (Saison Group), CompAsia (OSK SBI), iStore iSend (Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.), Glints (Persol Group), Funding Societies (Cool Japan Fund), Animoca Brands (Sumitomo Corp, Kodansha), and Carsome (MUFG, Daiwa).

“Japan’s ecosystem is opening further,” said Kengo Suzuki, Venture Partner at Gobi Partners. “Corporates and investors are actively looking overseas for agility and fresh thinking. Southeast Asia offers that dynamism, and through Gobi’s network, we’re helping both sides find common ground.”

Aligning with Japan’s Startup Vision

The move aligns with Japan’s Startup Development Five-Year Plan (2022–2027), which targets the creation of 100,000 startups and 100 unicorns through greater cross-border collaboration. In 2024, Japan’s venture funding climbed 35%, while Southeast Asia drew more than US$5 billion in early-stage capital — evidence that innovation and capital flows across Asia are converging faster than ever.

As Japan deepens its global outreach and Southeast Asia cements its role as the region’s growth engine, Gobi stands at the intersection of both movements — translating industrial depth into entrepreneurial scale.

“Gobi has always moved early into markets others overlook,” Tsao added. “Where others see risk, we see inevitability. Japan is the next step in that journey.”

ENDS

About Gobi Partners

Great entrepreneurial talent exists everywhere, but access to opportunity does not. Gobi Partners’ mission is to discover and nurture innovation with generational impact. Headquartered in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, the firm invests early in Asia, providing patient capital for sustainable growth.

Since 2002, Gobi has managed nearly US$2 billion AUM across more than 20 funds, backing over 400 companies from 16 locations. The firm has supported underdogs, moved first where others hesitated, and built a proven track record with 75 exits.

Gobi is selective, deliberate, and invests with conviction. The firm sits at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and inclusion, with a portfolio shaped by undervalued markets, overlooked founders, and deep local teams. From pioneering TaqwaTech for two billion Muslims, to advancing the circular economy, to promoting gender-diverse leadership, Gobi backs the shifts that are reshaping societies.

The firm’s edge lies in spotting hidden tectonic movements before they become apparent, and forging long-term partnerships to realise shared goals. Gobi does not follow trends—it defines them. Where others see risk, Gobi sees opportunity.