MPower Partners

MPower Partners is a Japan-based venture capital fund that describes itself as one of Japan's leading venture capital funds. It was founded by three experienced partners – Kathy Matsui, Yumiko Murakami and Miwa Seki – and provides startups at every stage with the funding, network and expertise they need to unlock their next stage of growth, both inside and outside Japan. The firm operates with a mission to empower visionary gamechangers and unlock transformative growth, connecting startups with the right people, insights and opportunities to help them scale beyond expectations. The fund is backed by a diverse investment team and deep global networks, and identifies and supports high-potential ventures both in Japan and internationally. Beyond capital, MPower Partners applies a proprietary ESG framework, working closely with portfolio companies to drive long-term, sustainable growth. Its commitment to diversity extends to fostering a more inclusive and resilient startup ecosystem. As bridge-builders and ecosystem shapers, the firm leverages decades of experience across public and private sectors, and through active engagement in thought leadership and policy dialogue, it aims to help define the next chapter of Japan's innovation economy. MPower Partners manages multiple vehicles. MPower KK focuses on tech-enabled solutions to societal challenges and Japan dynamism, investing at the middle to later stage, with headquarters in Japan and globally. MPower Partners Fund II targets the same themes at middle to later stage. WPower Fund focuses on female founders and women-empowerment businesses, investing at the early stage, with headquarters in Japan. The firm states it has active funds covering investments from seed to late stage, and reports metrics including the percentage of portfolio companies founded outside of Japan and the percentage led by women or other diverse founders. Its portfolio includes companies such as WOVN Technologies, RABO, SHE, Phoenix Tailings, Heralbony, FastLabel and Mantra. The team includes General Partners Kathy Matsui, Miwa Seki and Yumiko Murakami, along with Partner Masatoshi Fukasawa, Principal Ye Xia, Vice Presidents Kirara Tsutsui and Kazuhiro Hosaka, Associate Chio Ishikawa, Head of Operations Yukiko Takahashi, IR/Fund Operation Yuuki Umeda, Legal & Compliance Chi Guillemette, Office Manager Chika Watanabe, and Operating Partners Lisa Shalett and Katherine Davidson. Industry experts include Mihoko Manabe, Simeon Bochev and Paul N. Matsui. The firm is named after the three founders' maiden name.

MPower Partners is a Japan-based venture capital fund founded by three experienced partners: Kathy Matsui, Yumiko Murakami and Miwa Seki. The firm is named after the three founders' maiden name, reflecting the personal connection of its leadership to the enterprise. Kathy Matsui is widely known for her work on the economic empowerment of women in Japan, and the fund's focus on diversity and ESG integration reflects this background. The firm describes itself as one of Japan's leading venture capital funds, providing startups at every stage with the funding, network and expertise they need to unlock their next stage of growth, both inside and outside Japan. It operates with a mission to empower visionary gamechangers and unlock transformative growth, connecting startups with the right people, insights and opportunities to help them scale beyond expectations. MPower Partners manages several investment vehicles. MPower KK focuses on tech-enabled solutions to societal challenges and Japan dynamism, investing at the middle to later stage, with headquarters in Japan and globally. MPower Partners Fund II targets the same themes at middle to later stage. WPower Fund focuses on female founders and women-empowerment businesses, investing at the early stage, with headquarters in Japan. The firm states it has active funds covering investments from seed to late stage. The fund is backed by a diverse investment team and deep global networks, and identifies and supports high-potential ventures both in Japan and internationally. Beyond capital, MPower Partners applies a proprietary ESG framework, working closely with portfolio companies to drive long-term, sustainable growth. Its commitment to diversity extends to fostering a more inclusive and resilient startup ecosystem. As bridge-builders and ecosystem shapers, the firm leverages decades of experience across public and private sectors, and through active engagement in thought leadership and policy dialogue, it aims to help define the next chapter of Japan's innovation economy. Its portfolio includes companies such as WOVN Technologies, RABO, SHE, Phoenix Tailings, Heralbony, FastLabel and Mantra. In January 2024, following the Noto Peninsula earthquake, MPower Partners' portfolio company Heralbony launched a site for more inclusive relief, an initiative the firm supported and publicized. The firm reports metrics including the percentage of portfolio companies founded outside of Japan and the percentage led by women or other diverse founders, underscoring its emphasis on diversity and global reach.

• MPower Partners’ portfolio company Heralbony launches a site for more inclusive relief after the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

One of Japan's leading venture capital funds, providing funding, network and expertise to startups at every stage, with a proprietary ESG framework and a commitment to diversity.

• MPower KK

  Focuses on tech-enabled solutions to societal challenges and Japan dynamism; investment stage: middle to later stage; HQ location: Japan & Global.

• MPower Partners Fund II

  Focuses on tech-enabled solutions to societal challenges and Japan dynamism; investment stage: middle to later stage; HQ location: Japan & Global.

• WPower Fund

  Focuses on female founders and women-empowerment businesses; investment stage: early stage; HQ location: Japan.

1. 1MPower Partners - Empowering gamechangersmpower-partners.com
2. 2MPower Partners - Teammpower-partners.com
3. 3MPower Partners - Aboutmpower-partners.com
4. 4MPower Partners’ Portfolio Company Heralbony Launches Site for More Inclusive Relief After Noto Peninsula Earthquakempower-partners.com
5. 5MPower Partners - Wikidatawikidata.org