JBIC finances Japanese companies' overseas development projects and has already invested in innovative businesses in Northern Europe and the Baltic States through the venture capital funds NordicNinja (€100 million) and NordicNinja II (€200 million).
"Lithuanian companies have great potential and are developing advanced technological solutions in many areas, and Japanese investment would help them to grow and compete internationally. Our start-ups are also looking to cooperate with Japanese corporations and expand into the Japanese market," said Minister of the Economy and Innovation A.Armonaitė.
JBIC and its partners, including leading Japanese corporations such as Honda, Omron and Panasonic, established the NordicNinja venture capital fund in 2019 and have invested in dozens of innovative start-ups, three of which have already been awarded the status of unicorn and some of which have the potential to become unicorns.
The fund invests in technology companies and their development in the Nordic and Baltic region, as well as helping innovative start-ups to enter the Japanese market and to establish contacts and business alliances with Japanese corporations. The Fund has invested in companies developing artificial intelligence and other advanced technology solutions. NordicNinja has also invested in Lithuanian start-ups.
NordicNinja II was established in September this year. It has double the capital. It is the largest Japanese venture capital fund in Europe and is based on sustainable finance. Contributing to the promotion of sustainability and the development of the digital economy, NordicNinja II VC Fund will continue to invest in early-stage businesses with advanced technologies and a low environmental footprint.
