SDG Impact Japan Inc. (CEO: Mari Kogiso, hereinafter “SIJ”) and AgFunder Asia Pte. (Executive Director: John Friedman, hereinafter “AgFunder”), a Singapore-based venture capital firm jointly announced that Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Hiroaki Oda, President and Chief Executive Officer; hereinafter “Fuyo Lease”) has committed to invest in AgFunder SIJ Impact Fund (hereinafter “Fund”), an impact fund investing in agri-tech and food-tech (SIJ is participating as an impact management advisor to the fund). The current LP investors are Asahi Group Holdings, Meiji Holdings, Kewpie Corporation, and NAKASHIMATO Co..

Sustainability in the agriculture and food sectors is one of the most important issues in the realization of the SDGs. In this fund, AgFunder, a global leader in the agri-food tech industry, will give priority to startups with technologies that are particularly relevant to Asia, including Japan, and have high growth potential.

In addition to economic returns, the Fund will invest in outstanding startups that have the potential to create sustainable food systems by reducing CO2 emissions and food loss, improving soil and crop monitoring, and increasing efficiency through biotechnology and digital technologies, with the sustainable development goal of “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. We invest in outstanding startups that have the potential to create sustainable food systems by reducing CO2 emissions and food loss, improving soil and crop monitoring, and increasing efficiency through bio- and digital-based approaches.

• Comments from Hiroaki Oda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fuyo General Lease Co.
   The Fuyo General Lease Group aims to achieve sustainable growth as a corporate group by simultaneously solving social issues and realizing economic value through the practice of Creating Shared Value (CSV) under its medium-term management plan, “Fuyo Shared Value 2026,” which began in fiscal 2022. We aim to achieve sustainable growth as a corporate group by simultaneously solving social issues and achieving economic value through the practice of CSV (Creating Shared Value).
  The agri-food sector is currently facing various social issues such as food security, food loss, and CO2 emissions in agriculture. Together with our partners, we have been promoting initiatives that contribute to the realization of a circular economy, such as participation in the demonstration operation of a biofuel bus derived from waste cooking oil.
  We will contribute to the realization of an affluent society and sustainable growth through co-creation with partners who share values in the agri-food sector in Japan and abroad, based on various knowledge such as superior technologies and know-how of startups obtained through participation in this fund.”

• Comments from Mari Kogiso, Co-CEO, SDG Impact Japan, Inc.
   We believe that the food and agriculture sectors are facing a variety of social challenges and that technology can play an important role as a solution. Through AgFunder’s database with information on more than 40,000 startups, accelerator program, and strong network, the Fund has already invested into 13 startups (as of the end of February 2024)  in various fields such as food safety and traceability technology, robotics, biotechnology, cultured meat, etc., since the first close in 2022.
  We are very pleased to welcome Fuyo General Lease, in addition to our existing LP investors, and look forward to working together to solve social issues and further boost agri-food tech in Japan. We look forward to working with AgFunder to create more opportunities between Japanese companies and global startups through this Fund, as well as to support Japanese startups in their global expansion.”

AgFunder was founded in 2013 with the belief that innovation and targeted investment are the most powerful tools to bring about rapid and positive change in the global food and agriculture system. Its media platform, AgFunder News, has established itself as the industry’s site of record and knowledge source, with more than 2 million visitors and nearly 100,000 subscribers annually. Today, AgFunder is one of the most active early-stage investors in agri-food technology with over 70 investments and offices in Silicon Valley and Singapore.

SDG Impact Japan was founded by finance and sustainability experts and specializes in sustainable finance. We work with leading partners in Japan and abroad to formulate and promote sustainability-focused investment strategies and incubate innovative businesses that contribute to improving sustainability. Through investments that lead to sustainable ideas and technology impact, we aim to create a sustainable future for people and the planet.

About AgFunder and SDG Impact Japan

Fund Overview

Name: AgFunder SIJ Impact Fund
Initial Closing: March 2022
Fund Term: 10 years, until March 2032 (with a maximum extension of two years)
Investment Targets: Outstanding startups with the potential to create a sustainable food system in the agriculture and food sectors

AgFunder Company Profile

Company Name :  AgFunder Asia Pte.
Location: Singapore
Representative: John Friedman
Established:  2019
Business Activities: Venture Capital, Fund Management, Media and Research URL: https://agfunder.com/

This press release is intended solely for the purpose of publicly announcing the results of the activities of SDG Impact Japan Inc. and does not in any way constitute a solicitation to acquire any funds or other securities.

This is an English version of the original Japanese press release.