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On Fri, 3 Jan, 8:01 AM UTC
2 Sources
[1]
Soccer star Honda's venture capital AI fund raises $98 million
A venture capital fund headed by former national soccer team member Keisuke Honda has raised about ¥15.3 billion ($98 million), according to a document seen by Bloomberg. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Nomura Holdings and SBI Holdings are among at least 20 companies that have invested in Honda's X&KSK Fund, according to the document. SBI Holdings and SBI Shinsei Bank have parked a combined ¥2 billion in the fund, making them the biggest shareholders. Honda, who scored goals in three World Cups in a row and played for CSKA Moscow and AC Milan, is also active in investing, founding Dreamers VC with American actor Will Smith. His goal is to help create a so-called decacorn in Japan -- a closely held company with a market value of more than $10 billion -- and he's eyeing firms involved in artificial intelligence and those that have developed cutting-edge technology or innovative business strategies.
[2]
Soccer Star Honda's Venture Capital AI Fund Raises $98 Million
A venture-capital fund headed by former Japanese national soccer team player Keisuke Honda has raised about ¥15.3 billion ($98 million), according to a document seen by Bloomberg. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Nomura Holdings Inc. and SBI Holdings Inc. are among at least 20 companies that invested in Honda's X&KSK Fund, according to the document. SBI Holdings and SBI Shinsei Bank Ltd. have parked a combined ¥2 billion in the fund, making them the biggest shareholders.
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Former Japanese soccer star Keisuke Honda's venture capital fund, focusing on AI and innovative technologies, has successfully raised $98 million from major Japanese financial institutions and corporations.
Keisuke Honda, the former Japanese national soccer team player known for his prowess on the field, is now making waves in the world of venture capital and artificial intelligence. Honda's venture capital fund, X&KSK Fund, has successfully raised approximately ¥15.3 billion ($98 million) from a consortium of at least 20 prominent Japanese companies 12.
The fund has attracted investments from some of Japan's most influential financial institutions. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Nomura Holdings, and SBI Holdings are among the notable investors 1. SBI Holdings and SBI Shinsei Bank have emerged as the largest shareholders, contributing a combined ¥2 billion to the fund 2.
Honda's investment strategy is centered on artificial intelligence and companies that have developed cutting-edge technology or innovative business strategies. The former soccer star, who has goals in three consecutive World Cups to his name, is now aiming to score in the tech industry by helping create a "decacorn" in Japan – a privately held company valued at over $10 billion 1.
This is not Honda's first foray into the world of investments and entrepreneurship. He previously co-founded Dreamers VC with American actor Will Smith, demonstrating his commitment to bridging the gap between sports and business 1. His transition from a successful soccer career with clubs like CSKA Moscow and AC Milan to a venture capitalist highlights the growing trend of athletes leveraging their fame and networks in the business world.
The substantial funding raised by X&KSK Fund signals a growing interest in AI and innovative technologies within Japan's investment landscape. It also underscores the potential for cross-industry collaboration, as evidenced by the diverse range of investors backing Honda's fund. This influx of capital could potentially catalyze the growth of Japan's AI and tech startups, positioning the country more competitively in the global tech race.
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Sakana AI, a year-old Japanese artificial intelligence startup, has secured $100 million in a Series A funding round, with Nvidia as a key investor. The company aims to boost Japan's AI research and development capabilities.
6 Sources
6 Sources
ScorePlay, an AI-driven sports content management platform, has raised $13 million in a Series A funding round led by prominent investors including Alexis Ohanian and NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The company's innovative AI technology is revolutionizing how sports organizations manage and distribute media content.
2 Sources
2 Sources
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is seeking to raise a record-breaking $20 billion fund focused on growth-stage investments in AI companies, capitalizing on global interest in U.S. AI startups.
2 Sources
2 Sources
Honda Motor Company collaborates with Amazon Web Services to transition its automobiles into software-defined vehicles, leveraging cloud computing, generative AI, and IoT technologies to accelerate EV development and improve charging experiences.
3 Sources
3 Sources
SoftBank Group, OpenAI, and other tech giants announce a massive joint venture called 'Stargate' to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States over the next four years.
5 Sources
5 Sources
