Seed Stage Investment Grant

About this grant

Genesia Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Japan that invests in early-stage startups at the seed stage. The firm focuses on partnering with founders from the very earliest point of company creation, helping to cultivate the first signs of growth from the seeds of new industries. Genesia Ventures aims to build a 'industrial creation platform' that brings together all stakeholders as one team to generate the next wave of major industries across Asia. The firm's investment philosophy centers on supporting technology and startups that create wealth and opportunities for all people, rather than technologies that widen inequality. Genesia Ventures provides capital as well as management support to innovative startups, acting as a hub connecting the broader ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, and society. Genesia Ventures focuses on six key thematic areas: enriched living (enabling individuals to pursue their own will and happiness), circular economy (sustainable economic activity through sharing and recycling), equal access to information and opportunity (reducing information asymmetry), harnessing human wisdom through software and technology, coexistence with nature and living things, and a healthy society through advances in medical technology. The firm operates in Japan and across Asia, supporting startups at their founding stages with both funding and operational guidance.

Eligibility

Applicants must be seed-stage startups or entrepreneurs at the very earliest stage of company formation. The firm primarily targets startups in Japan and Asia. There are no explicit restrictions on sector, though the firm's thematic focus areas include circular economy, healthtech, deep tech, enterprise software, and technologies that democratize access to information and opportunity. First-time fundraisers are explicitly welcomed, and both online and offline consultations are available.

How it's scored

Genesia Ventures evaluates startups based on alignment with their mission to create wealth and opportunity for all through technology. Key considerations appear to include the strength and passion of the founding team, the boldness and clarity of the startup's vision, the potential to create or transform a major industry, and the degree to which the technology benefits a broad population rather than exacerbating inequality. The firm emphasizes a partnership-based approach and shared values around altruism and equitable mindset.

Key requirements

• ✓Early-stage founding team building new industries
• ✓Focus on circular economy, deeptech, healthtech, or information/opportunity equity technologies
• ✓Based in or operating in Japan and Asia
• ✓Commitment to creating wealth and opportunity for all

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• NEULO · 2026
• dodoAI · 2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Seed Stage Investment?

Eligibility covers organisations in JP, ASIA; startup. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Circular economy funding supports reuse, repair, remanufacturing, product redesign and secondary materials markets. Grants tend to back pilots with businesses and local authorities, while tenders buy collection, sorting and recovery services. Applicants are usually asked to show the material flows involved and who will buy the recovered output.