Bringing together
corporations and startups
to co-create and innovate.

Leveraging our partnerships with global corporations from Japan,
we support and provide opportunities for startups to create successful new businesses.

Acceleration

Our programs create global communities with startups and iconic Japanese corporations to collaborate on technological innovations in a variety of industries.

Programs

Smart City
Well-Being
Food Tech
Sports Tech

Incubation

We create joint ventures and funds with Japanese corporations, establish Japanese subsidiaries with U.S. startups, and incubate startups.

Programs

Panasonic
Miles
Yo-Kai Express

Connection

Scrum Connect Online is a platform we built to curate and deliver the latest startup information and tech news to Japanese corporations.

Services

Scrum Connect Online

Programs

Partners & Supporters

SmartCityX

SmartCityX is a global community of best-in-class, stage-agnostic startups from around the world with a common vision of redefining the way we live, learn, and work. Placing an emphasis on six core verticals, SmartCity X connects startups with leading corporations and industry thought-leaders to foster growth opportunities in Japan and around the world while also facilitating lasting relationships that enable cities to become more livable, resilient and sustainable.

[SmartCitiesWorld, November 2, 2020]
SmartCityX accelerator programme names “early start-up acceptances"
[Scrum Ventrues, October 28, 2020]
SmartCityX Unveils Initial Startups for Inaugural Program
[Cheddar, September 1, 2020]
Scrum Ventures Launches SmartCityX To Use Tech To Tackle Equity
[Axios, August 26, 2020]
A new startup program puts the focus on urban issues
Partners & Supporters

Well-BeingX

Well-BeingX is a global open innovation program dedicated to helping startups co-develop wellness solutions with influential Japanese corporations.

The program brings together entrepreneurs from around the world, Japanese corporations, and leading experts in the wellness industry. In addition to focusing on personalized tools and technologies that help individuals achieve a more balanced lifestyle, the program will place a particular emphasis on establishing meaningful partnerships across a diverse mix of categories within the health and wellness space, including fitness, nutrition, neurilogical, environmental, and social wellness.

Partners

Food Tech Studio - Bites!

Food Tech Studio – Bites! is Scrum Studio’s newest global program for startups of all stages who share a common vision of solving key challenges plaguing our food supply chain today, such as safety, waste reduction, and health. The program will facilitate lasting relationships between a range of global food tech entrepreneurs, iconic Japanese food corporations, and industry thought leaders seeking to rebuild a resilient food future.  The program targets founders who are mission-driven, sustainability-focused, and can benefit from the program’s strong network and global expertise.

[Scrum Ventures, February 4, 2021]
Food Tech Studio - Bites! Unveils 85 Startups from 18 Countries Around the World to Participate in its Innovation Program
[Scrum Ventures, December 23, 2020]
Scrum Ventures Announces Expanded Partners and Reveals Early Accepted Startups to Food Tech Studio - Bites!
[The Spoon, September 30, 2020 ]
Scrum Ventures Launches a New Program, Food Tech Studio – Bites!
[Venture Capital Journal, September 30, 2020 ]
Foodtech investing surges, accelerated by Coronavirus
[Scrum Ventures, September 29, 2020 ]
Debuting Food Tech Studio —Bites!: Scrum Ventures’ Latest Studio Program Looks to Build a Sustainable Food Future
Partners

SPORTS TECH TOKYO

Dentsu and Scrum Ventures launched SPORTS TECH TOKYO, a global mentor-driven accelerator program for sports-related startups from around the world. Opening on October 2, 2018, the one-year program takes place in Japan and San Francisco with mentoring, networking and pitching opportunities with industry professionals.

159 startups from 33 countries were selected to participate in the program that led to 12 finalists. In August 2019, World Demo Day was held at San Francisco’s Oracle Park where 8 of the 12 finalists announced partnerships created through the program.

Press Release:  Scrum Ventures and Dentsu Launch Global Sports Tech Accelerator Program

2019 Achievements Timeline: ACHIEVEMENTS in the First Year

World Demo Day recap blog post: SPORTS TECH TOKYO World Demo Day

[Forbes, August 20, 2019]
Sports Tech Tokyo's World Demo Day Arrives In San Francisco As It Focuses On Technology's Impact On Sports
[Forbes, January 7, 2019]
Sports Tech Tokyo Brings Venture Capital And Technology To Sports Landscape In Asia
[Front Office Sports, November 30, 2018]
Inside Sports Tech Tokyo’s Aspirations to Be Gateway to Asia for Sports Tech Businesses
[Campaign Asia, October 2, 2018]
Dentsu looks to cultivate sports startups with international programme
Partners

BeeEdge

Panasonic and Scrum Ventures created a joint venture in March 2018 called BeeEdge to invest in Japanese startups developing Panasonic technologies.

BeeEdge supports the startups to accelerate bringing technologies to market. Products thus far include a specialized hot chocolate machine, Inifini Mix by Mitsubachi Products and an appliance that softens food for the elderly by Gifmo.

Press Release: Panasonic and Scrum Ventures Announce a Joint Venture to Foster Innovation

[Press Release, March 1, 2018]
Panasonic and Scrum Ventures Announce a Joint Venture to Foster Innovation
Partners

Miles

Scrum Studio supported the Miles startup expansion into Japan for a year and a half during which their 2021 market-specific app was launched with high-profile partners such as JAL, FamilyMart, and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance. The app recorded 1 million downloads in 4 weeks and is still being used by many people throughout Japan.

[Miles Blog, October 20, 2021]
Miles Launches In Japan; Accelerates Momentum for Platform With New Brand Partners
[The Verge, July 21, 2021]
Green travel rewards app Miles raises $12.5 million 1
[Forbes, April 3, 2019]
Miles, A Loyalty Program For Everyday Transportation, Raises Additional Funding And Expands Reach
Partners

Yo-kai Express

Scrum Studio supported the Japan market entry for Yo-Kai Express, a U.S. startup developing an autonomous restaurant platform for fresh hot ramen, by providing business development and marketing. The platform was showcased at Haneda Airport Terminal 2, Shibaura Parking Area of Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, and other locations.

[Press Release, September 2, 2022]
Yo-Kai Express Joins Forces with IPPUDO and TableMark to Bring Delicious New Ramen and Udon Dishes To Its Autonomous Restaurant Platform
[Press Release, April 8, 2022]
Yo-Kai Express, Supported by Scrum Studio for its Japan Expansion, Launches a 24/7 Autonomous Restaurant Platform with Japan's Largest Railway
[The Spoon, April 8, 2022]
Big in Japan: Yo-Kai Attracts Huge Press With Japanese Launch of Ramen Robot
[OttOmate, April 8, 2022]
Yo-Kai Express Now Available in Three Locations in Japan

Mentors' Voice

Over 200 experts from various industries have joined our studio programs as mentors for our partners and startups.
Global Mentors https://scrum.vc/mentor/

Partners and Supporters


Scrum Ventures is a seed-stage venture firm investing across a range of industries in the U.S. and Japan. Based in San Francisco with extensive experience and networks in both Silicon Valley and Japan, Scrum Ventures accelerates portfolio companies with global opportunities and helps corporations innovate. Scrum Studio is a platform that connects global corporations with startups.