Swedish Katalysen Ventures enters Japan, co-founds SKB.vc

Katalysen Ventures, known as a leading global venture developer, announced its role as co-founder in the establishment of SKB.vc, a pioneering Japanese venture capital fund.

Derived from the Japanese word “shokubai” meaning “catalyst”, SKB.vc successfully completed an extensive one-year preliminary study phase in early 2024. The venture is currently in the final stages of assembling its team and has received significant support from strategic partners, including prominent Japanese science cities, prefectural governments, and the Japan External Trade Organization’s Invest Japan program. An operational partner has joined and an advisory board of Japanese innovation experts, research directors and former government officials has been established.

SKB.vc aims to bridge the gap between Japanese innovation and international investment, providing local founders with critical support in navigating global markets. Explaining the venture’s mission, Katalysen’s COO and SKB.vc Founding Partner Tobias Mathiasen says, “Our focus is to provide Japanese entrepreneurs with the resources, expertise and networks necessary to secure international investment. By fostering a global perspective from the seed stage, we aim to elevate Japanese startups to international prominence and valuation levels.”

After a 12-month preliminary study phase in 2023, during which Tobias Mathiasen held hundreds of meetings in Japan with founders, investors and ecosystem stakeholders, Katalysen Ventures received a formal invitation from the Japan External Trade Organization to visit Kansai in January 2024.

In February 2024, the project moved into Phase 2, which focused on assembling a Japan-based team, strategic partners, and advisors. As Phase 2 nears completion, Phase 3 will begin, focusing on securing soft commitments from investors for SKB.vc while finalizing administrative requirements such as incorporation and necessary licenses.

Phase 4, planned for this fall, will mark the start of the formal fundraising period, with a first close planned for the end of this year.

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