K4 Ventures
Profile, fund size and portfolio
K4 Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Kansai Electric Power, an energy company. It was founded in 1998 and is based in Osaka, Japan. It invests at the Series A stage. Sectors it names: climate and energy, telecom and 5G, real estate and proptech, artificial intelligence.
Every figure links to its source
Snapshot
Data behind this graphic
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Series A to Series A |
| Sectors | Climate and energy, Telecom and 5G, Real estate and proptech, Artificial intelligence, Mobility and automotive |
| Geography | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Offices | Osaka, Japan |
Sources: S5 KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: investment in Starlight Engine via KVP Fund No.1 (15 Jul 2026).
Data behind this graphic
| Measure | Value | Unit | Kind | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headline size | JPY 18bn | Commitment by parent | Stated by the firm or its parent | S10 |
| Companies backed | 32+ | companies | Stated by the firm | S2 |
| Companies on the firm's portfolio page | 6 | companies | Counted from the firm's own list | S6 |
Sources: S10 M&A Online interview with Hamada Seiichiro, KEPCO executive officer and K4 Ventures representative (June 2024); S2 Kansai Electric Power press release: K4 Ventures invests in EEI No. 5 fund; S6 KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: follow-on investment in ALGO ARTIS (9 Jun 2026).
Where it invests and who leads it
LeadersS4S9
- Seiichiro Hamada (浜田 誠一郎)Representative executive (代表職務執行者), K4 VenturesFind on LinkedInFirm page
- Yasuhiro Kanda (神田 康弘)General Manager, Innovation Promotion Department, Innovation Promotion Headquarters, Kansai Electric PowerFind on LinkedInFirm page
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent company | Kansai Electric Power | Single source | S2 |
| Parent industry | Energy and utilities | Single source | S2 |
| Founded | 1998 | Single source | S4 |
| Headquarters | Osaka, Japan | Single source | S4 |
| Status | Active | Single source | S1 |
| Capital source | Parent company only | Single source | S2 |
| Headline size | JPY 18bn (Commitment by parent) | Single source | S10 |
| Companies backed | 32+ | Single source | S2 |
| Stages | Series A (inferred from announced rounds) | Estimate | S5 |
Fund vehicles
Recent rounds
History
Portfolio
The firm's portfolio page lists 6 companies.S6
The firm also states 32+ companies backed. The page list and the stated total measure different things.S2
Every company on the K4 Ventures list
6 companies, as listed on the firm's own website.S6 Read the firm's list.
- ALGO ARTIS
- Frontier Innovations Fund No.1 (fund commitment)
- Meijo Nano Carbon
- Starlight Engine
- SUCRECUBE Japon
- VPP Japan
Official pages
Read the firm's own pages for current information.
- Website www.k4v.co.jp/en/
Sources
- S1K4 Ventures siteFirm
- S2Kansai Electric Power press release: K4 Ventures invests in EEI No. 5 fundParent company
- S3FundingWatcher corporate venture capital investor listThird-party report
- S4KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: capital and business alliance with Meijo Nano Carbon (2 Apr 2026)Firm
- S5KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: investment in Starlight Engine via KVP Fund No.1 (15 Jul 2026)Firm
- S6KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: follow-on investment in ALGO ARTIS (9 Jun 2026)Firm
- S7KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: investment in Frontier Innovations Fund No.1 (17 Feb 2026)Firm
- S8KEPCO and K4 Ventures release: rename to K4 Ventures and alliance with VPP Japan (1 Nov 2018)Firm
- S9KEPCO executive and department head appointments (26 Jun 2025)Parent company
- S10M&A Online interview with Hamada Seiichiro, KEPCO executive officer and K4 Ventures representative (June 2024)Press
- S11M&A Online CVC no Real: KEPCO invests in zero carbon, deep tech and regional co-creationPress
- S12SUCRECUBE Japon: funding from K4 Ventures and others (30 Jun 2022)Portfolio company
Disclaimer and corrections
Not affiliated. This page is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by K4 Ventures or any company named on it. Names and trademarks belong to their owners. Informational only. This is a public-source reference. It is not investment, legal or tax advice and not an offer or solicitation. Sources. Each figure names its source. Figures may have changed. Please read the firm's official pages, linked above. Corrections and takedown. To report an error or ask for a change or removal, use the correction form or email Richard@CorporateVentureCapital.com.
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