News from HVC Group

Move to the new office

2010-02-14T09:34:49Z

Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. announced that its Tokyo office will move in order to strengthen the efforts of regional developments and incubation businesses. Business operation at the new office will start on 15th February.

◆Tokyo office of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc.

Add: Chiyoda Platform Square 1223, 3-21 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054 Japan
Tel: +81-3-3233-1611
Fax: +81-3-3233-1613

◆Headquarters of HVC Global Investment, Inc.

Add: Chiyoda Platform Square 1223, 3-21 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054 Japan
Tel: +81-3-3233-1612
Fax: +81-3-3233-1613

【ACCESS】

It sees with a big map.

By subway
Tokyo Metro Tozai Line: 2-min. walk from Exit 3b of Takebashi Sta.
Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line: 7-min. walk from Exit A9 of Jimbo-cho Sta.
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line: 8-min. walk from Exit C2b of Ote-machi Sta.

By JR lines
12-min. walk from West Entrance of Kanda Sta.

"The 5th HVC Business Presentation" to be held on Oct. 9th, 2009.

2009-10-05T00:14:14Z

HVC, Inc. and HVC Group will hold "The 5th HVC Business Presentation" on Oct. 9th, 2009. We are preparing 11 business presentation by HVC's portfolio companies and 2 keynote speeches by business experts.

We are looking forward to seeing their business presentation and making communications.

＜Event Outline＞
◆Date：Oct. 9th(Fri), 2009
　　　　　　・Presentation: 9：30～18：45
　　　　　　・Party:19：00～20：30

◆Venue：White Cube Sapporo (map)

◆Contact:Junichi Miura
　　　　　TEL：+81-11-738-3838　E-mail is here.

＜Keynote Speech＞
（1）"Exit strategies after global financial crisis"

Speaker：　Mr. Gunji Sakamoto
　　　　　　　　Managing Director
　　　　　　　　Japan Economic Pulse Co., Ltd.

（2）"Potential for venture businesses in Hokkaido and key factors for business success"

Speaker：　Mr. Kiichi Otani
　　　　　　　　President and Representative Director
　　　　　　　　AIN PHARMACIEZ INC.

＜Business area of participant companies＞
（1）GP Biosciences Ltd.
Development, manufacturing, and sales of lectin microarray, software, scanner, and other devices that related to all-round glycan analysis

（2）NB Health Laboratory Co. Ltd
Drug discovery service and research and development of drug candidates for age-related diseases

（3）3-D Matrix Japan, Ltd.
Business development of a synthetic self-assembling peptide biomaterial called Pure Matrix™ that is to be used as regeneration medicine, bone matrix, etc.

（4）Laser Systems Inc.
Development, manufacturing, and sales of laser products

（5）Atmark Techno, Inc.
Development, manufacturing, and distribution of embedded LINUX boards, etc.

（6）Hokkaido Needs, Co., Ltd.
Sale and rental of fishery equipments and manufacture and sale of ice for fishery

（7）BIG BE, Inc.
Operation of shopping websites that sales toys and games, etc.

（8）Hokkaido Wine K. K.
Production and distribution of wine made from 100% Hokkaido-grown grapes

（9）ECO ERC, Inc.
Manufacturing and sales of biodiesel fuel(BDF)

（10）Huens, Co. Ltd.
Design and construction of wastewater treatment systems with ozone and related systems

（11）Econos K. K.
Operations of BOOK OFF and HARD OFF and other franchised second-hand shops

Ikkei Matsuda will make the speech at "Globalizing Japanese Startups" on September 9, 2009.

2009-09-03T02:17:50Z

Ikkei Matsuda, President of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., will make the speech at "Globalizing Japanese Startups" held on September 9, 2009.

Main discussion topics of this semnar are as follows:
・how entrepreneurships and venture capital is different outside Japan
・why you should think global from day one when starting a new venture

And, GP Biosciences Ltd., one of the portfolio companies of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., will make the presentation about its business outline and strategy, etc.

＜Seminar Outline＞
◆Date：　Wednesday, 09 Sep 2009, 7:00 PM ～9:00 PM

◆Venue：　ITOCHU Corporation Tokyo HQ 10th ｆl.
　　　　　　　　（5-1, Kita-Aoyama 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8077）

◆Fee：　Free of charge

◆Registration：　Please e-mail to the organizer.

More information is here.

＜Related Information＞
・Link to the official website of The Indus Entrepreneurs(TiE)-Tokyo is here.
・Link to the official website of GP Biosciences Ltd. is here.

Ikkei Matsuda will deliver a keynote speech at the "The 2nd China Cleantech Industry Investment Summit" on June 5, 2009.

2009-05-21T18:47:03Z

Ikkei Matsuda, President of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., will deliver a keynote speech at "the 2nd China Cleantech Industry Investment Summit" held on June 5,2009.

Title and schedule of Matsuda's speech are as follows:
- Speech Title: "Investment in CleanTech in Japan"
- Time and Date: Friday, June 5, 2009, from 13:55 to 14:10
- Venue: Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel

< Related Information >
- Link to the official website of the "The 2nd China Cleantech Industry Investment Summit" is here (in English ver./ in Chinese ver.).
- Link to official leaflet of the "The 2nd China Cleantech Industry Investment Summit" is here. (a PDF file in Chinese and English, 1.0 MB)
- Link to the website of the "Hokkaido changchenghui" is here (in Chinese).
- Link to the website of the "Japan Venture Capital Association(JVCA)" is here (in English).

Hokkaido VC supports the "Workshop on Italy- Hokkaido Bilateral Cooperation in Innovative ICT" to be held on Dec. 4, 2008.

2008-12-01T13:03:47Z

Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. supports the "Workshop on Italy-Hokkaido Bilateral Cooperation in Innovative ICT" to be held on December 4th, 2008. This workshop is hosted by the Embassy of Italy in Japan, and the workshop programs are jointly organized by Hokkaido University and Politecnico di Torino (Torino University of Technology).

This workshop has stemmed from the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the tripartite alliance signed in January 2007 among Torino Wireless Foundation; then-Sapporo Region Knowledge Cluster Headquarters for Sapporo IT Carrozzeria, Knowledge Cluster Initiative by MEXT; and Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc.

< Workshop Outline >
[Venue]
Hotel Polestar Sapporo (North 4, West 6, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)

[Time & Date]
9:30 - 16:30, Thursday, December 4th, 2008

[Admission Fee]
Free of charge

[Organizer]
Embassy of Italy, Japan

[Co-organizers]
Hokkaido Government, Torino Chamber of Commerce, Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry

[Academic Organizers]
Hokkaido University, Politecnico di Torino

[Supported by]
Torino Wireless Foundation, NOASTEC, Istituto Superiore Mario Boella, Knowledge Cluster Bio-S, TTS Italia, ITS Japan, METI Hokkaido, Hokkaido ITS Promotion Forum, Sapporo IT Front, Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., Hokkaido Information and Communication Technology Association, City of Sapporo

[Assisted by]
Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation

< Related Information >
Link to the Hokkaido University website for events is here.
Link to leaflet of the workshop (a PDF fine, 812 KB) is here.
Link to the workshop program (a PDF file, 1.1 MB) is here.

< Related Articles in the Past >
"Hokkaido VC cooperates in "E-wine" service demonstration by Torino Wireless Foundation." (Mar. 22, 2007)
"Hokkaido VC signed an MOU for alliance with Torino Wireless Foundation." (Jan. 26, 2007)

Hokkaido VC starts recruiting new graduates of 2008.

2008-10-23T13:28:56Z

Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. is now accepting applications for the position of venture capitalists from those who are going to graduate from universities or completing master or doctor courses at the end of 2008 academic year, which is March 2009 in Japan.

-Application Guidelines-
[Requirements]
The applicant must be a student graduating from a university or completing a master or doctor course either in Japan or abroad by the end of March 2009. Students of any major can apply.

[Language Skills]
Reading and writing skills in Japanesee

[Job title]
Venture Capitalist

[Number of vacancy]
1 or 2

[Work location]
Headquarters in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

[To apply]
Please e-mail your resume with a cover letter specifying the reason to apply, to the company's personnel department.

* Staff of HVC Group include alumni of:
Keio University, Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Hokkaido University, Waseda University, Graduate School of Otaru University of Commerce, King's College London, INSEAD, Harvard University Business School, Graduate School of Meiji University, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Graduate School of Tokyo University of Science, Graduate School of Kyoto University and others. (listed in random order)

Announcement of the "Seminar on Starting up Hokkaido Bio-business" on Oct. 12, 2007 and "Bio-business Skill Enhancement Course" (a series of four classes, starting from Oct. 12, 2007)

2008-10-02T13:42:40Z

The markets for functional food and pharmaceutics have recently enlarged rapidly due to the increased aging population, the spread of lifestyle-related diseases, and increased health-consciousness. Hokkaido, abundant in primary products and with a number of researchers with numerous technological seeds, is expected to make great strides in these health-related markets.

In the Seminar on Starting up Hokkaido Bio-business on October 12, 2007, Dr. Yoshiharu Matahira with Yaizu Suisankagaku Industry Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yaizu City in Shizuoka, will first tell us how a local food manufacturing company had transformed itself into a marine biotech company. Then Dr. Daisaku Okamoto with Shokubutsu Ikushu Kenkyujo, a plant breeding research institute that spun off from Hokkaido University will deliver a speech on the possibilities of bio-business in Hokkaido. This institution received in June the JANBO's New Business Creation Award. Later in the seminar, a panel discussion is planned on the issues and development strategy of biotech-related agriculture and marine areas.
* JANBO: Japan Association of New Business Incubation Organization

The "Bio-business Skill Enhancement Course" (a series of four classes starting on October 12, 2007) will focus on the development and enhancement of the skills needed for developing and implementing strategies for biotech ventures in Hokkaido. Each class features lectures, case studies, and discussions among attendants - a practical exercise for solving various business issues. Small class starting from the introduction is suitable also for potential biotech institutions.

From HVC group, Dr. Ikkei Matsuda and Dr. Atsumi Tobitani will attend as lecturers.

Link to the organizer, Sapporo Biz Cafe's website (in Japanese) is here.

< Contact on this article >
Mr. Saito , Bio-business Section, Sapporo Biz Cafe
TEL: +81-11-210-6516 FAX: +81-11-200-3324 E-mail: sanka@tri-b.co.jp

Articles by Dr. Katsuhiko Ito carried in the "NIKKEI BIOTECH ON-LINE" ranked top and second in the number of viewers.

2008-09-26T13:32:16Z

The two articles written by Dr. Katsuhiko Ito of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., to the September 22, 2008 issue of the NIKKEI BIOTECH (Nikkei Biotechnology & Business) were ranked at the top and the second in the number of viewers for its online version called NIKKEI BIOTECH ON-LINE.

Dr. Ito writes a series of articles under "Research on Product Pipelines" monthly to NIKKEI BIOTECH, in addition to his contribution, the "Research on Product Pipelines in Pharmaceutical Industry" in the Nikkei Biotechnology & Business Almanac.

Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. invests, and assists in the development of technology-based ventures, after going through the process of precise technical evaluation from the perspective of technical experts while giving full attention to the trends of the market and the major players in the industry. Also HVC Group provides advices on business and partnership strategies for technology-based ventures and also provides consultation services for large corporations who seek technology transfer from venture companies.

-Related Information-
Link to the homepage of the website for NIKKEI BIOTECH ON-LINE is here. (in Japanese)

-Related Articles in the Past-
One of the HVC and HVC-GI's portfolio companies in US, Tacere Therapeutics, enters collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer to develop and commercialize RNAi Hepatitis C drug. (Jan. 08, 2008)
Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd., one of the Hokkaido VC's portfolio companies, announced a licensing agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Jul. 04, 2007)

September 2008 issue of AXES SAPPORO NEWS carries an article contributed by Ikkei Matsuda.

2008-09-22T13:39:05Z

The September 2008 issue (No.293) of the AXES SAPPORO NEWS, a monthly news letter published by a largest exhibition center in Hokkaido, carries an article contributed by Ikkei Matsuda, president of HVC-SRI, Inc in its Elm Tree column.

The article was written by Ikkei Matsuda in his capacity as the deputy director of Hokkaido Think Tank Council, and was entitled "Drastic Changes of the Environment Surrounding Hokkaido." It discusses the current situations where we see a rapid increase in the overseas tourists attracted to various areas in Hokkaido for their beautiful scenery, wonderful sporting facilities, and fresh tasty foods while local entities are not always tap into the opportunities. In the article, the experience of Turin, Italy was cited as a successful example in the wake of structural changes in industry, which lead to the creation of the Sapporo IT Carrozzeria initiative.

Link to the article by Ikkei Matsuda is here. (a PDF file in Japanese, 2.1MB)

< Related information >
Link to the website of AXES SAPPORO is here . (in Japanese)

Wine produced by Hokkaido Wine, Hokkaido VC's portfolio company headquartered in Otaru City, was served at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit 2008. Also the company's 14 wine won awards at Japan Wine Competition 2008.

2008-08-07T13:28:02Z

In the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit held July 7 - 9, 2008, Tsurunuma Winter Harvest Kerner 2006, a high quality sweet wine produced by Hokkaido Wine K.K., was listed in the menu for the outreach working lunch attended by the leaders on July 9th, 2008. This is the only wine produced in Hokkaido that was selected for the honorable occasion.

Also the company had an honor of their 14 wine being awarded at Japan Wine Competition 2008 held July 23 - 25, the 6th of the competition launched in 2003. The number of award-winning wine has now 79 in total, indicating increasingly high evaluation of their wine.

-Related Information-
Link to the press release from Hokkaido Wine K.K. including the list of award-winning wine is here (in Japanese).
Link to the website for Japan Wine Competition is here (in Japanese).
Link to the website of Hokkaido Wine K.K. is here (in Japanese).

Ikkei Matsuda becomes a director of Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA).

2008-07-11T13:55:55Z

Ikkei Matsuda, President of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. has assumed the post of director at Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA).

JVCA was founded in November 2002 with 70 members (companies and individuals) for the purposes to strengthen the roles of mutual collaboration and venture businesses cultivation in venture capital industry in Japan. Since its launch, the number of its members has increased to current 105.

JVCA conducts researches on overseas advanced VC cases, and organizes education programs and administers certificate systems for venture capitalists. JVCA is an active entity that has been making recommendations and requests to relevant government agencies for the amendment of legislation related to venture capital businesses, including Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and tax laws.

-Related Information-
Link to the website of Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA) is here.

Academy for Business Plan Development, hosted by Hokkaido Government, started attendee registration.

2008-07-01T13:56:47Z

"Academy for Business Plan Development," three-day workshops hosted by the Hokkaido Government, are scheduled to be held in six venues across Hokkaido that include Sapporo, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Hakodate, Kushiro, and Kitami, and have started attendee registration. Language used in the sessions is Japanese.

Tapping on the know-how accumulated through the "Entrepreneur School" that HVC Strategic Research Institute, Inc. has been organizing, the institute has provided advice to the Academy from its planning phase as was last year. This year, HVC-SRI dispatches two lecturers. Tomonori Yorita lectures overall ideas of writing business plans, and Junichi Miura holds classes on basics of finance.

The curriculum of the Academy consists of three day sessions:the 1st day -- learning sessions of basics such as marketing and finance, which are necessary for developing business plans, and the 2nd and 3rd days-- exercises for developing business plans. On the 3rd day, attendees will receive advice individually from lectures for their own business plans. This is a good opportunity for those who have their own business ideas and seek ways to turn them into real business.

For further information, contact Commerce, Business and Financing Division, Department of Economic Affairs of Hokkaido Government at +81-(0)11-204-5333 or Mr. Yorita at HVC Strategic Research Institute, Inc.

Hokkaido VC decided to invest in FJ Composite Materials Co., Ltd., a developer of carbon bipolar plates for fuel cells.

2008-06-24T13:58:16Z

Hokkaido Bank "Dosanko" No.2 Fund, a limited partnership fund that Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. has been managing as general partner, will make an investment in FJ Composite Materials Co., Ltd.

FJ Composite Materials Co., Ltd. develops and manufactures carbon bipolar plates for PEFCs (polymer electrolyte fuel cells), heat sink materials for high-power semiconductors, and related materials.

-Related Information-
Link to the press release from Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. is here(a PDF file in Japanese, 80 KB).
Link to the website of FJ Composite Materials Co., Ltd. is here.

Dosanko LP Fund and Sapporo "Genki" Technology LP Fund , of which Hokkaido Venture Capital,Inc. is General Partner, have made a follow-on investment in the financing of Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd.

2008-06-12T13:29:50Z

Dosanko LP Fund and Sapporo "Genki" Technology LP Fund , of which Hokkaido Venture Capital,Inc. is a general partner, have made a follow-on investment in the financing of Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd. in Hokkaido, Japan.

Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd. increased its capital through allocation of new shares to third parties and has raised approximately JPY 500 million (USD 4.7 million in dollar volume) in this round.

Invetors of this financing round are as follows:
< existing shareholders >
Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc.(VC)
NIF SMBC Ventures Co., Ltd.(VC)
Nikko antfactory K.K.(VC)
Bio-Sight Capital, Inc.(VC)
< new shareholders >
JAFCO Co., Ltd.(VC)
Nomura Research & Advisory Co., Ltd.(VC)
Sapporo Hokuyo Lease Co.,Ltd.(VC)
Sansei Capital Investment Co., Ltd.(VC)
Nagase & Co., Ltd.(business partner)
and one more business partner

< related Information >
- Link to the press release of Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd. is here(a PDF file in Japanese, 121KB)
- Link to the website of Gene Techno Science Co., Ltd. is here

Ikkei Matsuda will deliver a speech at the "Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in celebration of G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit" on June 20, 2008.

2008-06-10T13:32:40Z

Ikkei Matsuda, President of Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc., will deliver a speech at the Environment Presentation Stage that is set as a part of the events held under the "Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in celebration of G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit."

Title and schedule of Matsuda's speech are as follows:
- Speech Title: "From Hokkaido to the World! Cutting-edge environmental technologies and services that venture companies are offering."
- Time and Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Venue: Special stage of the first-base-side in Sapporo Dome
- Admission: Free

As previously announced, Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. and nine of its portfolio companies will participate as exhibitors in the exhibition. Please come and visit our booths. For further information on our exhibits, refer to previous article at "What's New" section.

< Related Information >
- Link to the announcement of the presentation from Hokkaido Venture Capital, Inc. is here. (a PDF file in Japanese, 12 KB)
- Link to official leaflet of the "Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in Celebration of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit" is here. (a PDF file in Japanese, 3.4 MB)