Open Network Lab Fund
Open Network Lab Fund
Our Vision
Open Network Lab Fund
Open Network Lab Fund II (“Onlab Fund II”) works in collaboration with Open Network Lab (“Onlab”) — Japan’s first seed accelerator, in operation since 2010 — to invest in promising startups in Japan and abroad. The fund focuses on companies that participate in Onlab (both applicants and selected companies) as well as other startups aiming to create a positive social and environmental impact. The fund also provides follow-on investments to high-growth portfolio companies after the initial investment. By leveraging the diverse resources and networks of both Onlab and Digital Garage, the fund offers comprehensive support to enhance the corporate value of its portfolio companies.
Positioned as an “Impact Bridge Fund,” this vehicle leverages Onlab’s portfolio, sourcing network, and proven expertise in startup development to pursue strong financial returns, while empowering and nurturing the next generation of seed- and early-stage impact-driven startups.
The Process
Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator Program
Onlab Fund II works in collaboration with **the Onlab Seed Accelerator**, a seed accelerator program operated by Digital Garage. Since its establishment in 2010, Onlab has built a track record of multiple IPOs and M&As, and has minted successful alumni, including a unicorn. Leveraging its extensive network and experience, the fund not only excels at sourcing exceptional startups but also provides hands-on support to accelerate their growth.
Open Network Lab is available for investment and business consultation. If you are interested, please apply for Onlab Open Office Hour through the
Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator page.
Latest Portfolio (Open Network Lab & ESG I Fund "Earthshot Fund")
Changing the world through innovative pharmaceutical protein production utilizing silkworms
Immersive Video (180-degree, 3D, 16K) Platform for Apple Vision Pro
Generative AI-powered geospatial insights B2B SaaS platform
The Social Network for Crypto Natives
Scalable direct air capture system that uses waste heat
Cheez is an application that utilizes AI to instantly generate a comprehensive construction photo ledger
Metaverse for mental health for all employees
LINE-integrated Wallet, web3 BizDev consulting company
Automation AI for internal operation tasks
Innovation by All
*ESG labels are evaluated and classified by DG Incubation based on our own criteria for the startup's main business.
Latest News
*Only available in Japanese
The Team
Kosuke Yusa
Head of Investment Dept. I
Kosuke joined Digital Garage in 2022. He was in charge of strategic planning of entire Global Investment and Incubation Segment until March 2024, when he shifted to DG Incubation to focus on investment opportunities in worldwide startups. Before joining Digital Garage, he worked for Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. and managed multiple projects such as cross-border M&A and investment via a joint venture with Japan Bank for International Cooperation. He started his career with Mizuho Financial Group, where he arranged numerous project financing to energy-related projects outside Japan. He is a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (MBA) and holds the CFA Institute Certificate in Sustainable Investing.
Sera Tsutsumi
Senior Principal
Sera worked for Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in business development, including forest and afforestation-related businesses and real estate development in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. She holds an MBA from IE Business School in Spain, focusing on sustainability and impact investing, and has been working at Digital Garage since 2021, creating new ESG and sustainability businesses and supporting startups from an ESG perspective. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and holds a CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.
Niklas Tawast
Principal
Niklas joined Digital Garage in 2025 and focuses on investing in a broad range of Japanese and international startups. Prior to joining, he spent over six years in business consulting at Intralink KK, where he supported overseas scale-ups and venture capital funds with their market entry into Japan. At Intralink, Niklas worked across a variety of sectors including deep tech, cybersecurity, enterprise SaaS, and fintech. He also led several fundraising projects. Before that, he worked at a Japanese startup, overseeing international business development. Niklas holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and a master’s degree in Finance from the University of Aberdeen.
Nagisa Kudo
Principal
Nagisa joined Digital Garage in 2023. She was in charge of strategic planning of the entire Global Investment and Incubation Segment until Mar. 2024. She transferred to DG Incubation in Apr.2024. Before joining Digital Garage, she started her career at BofA Securities’ investment banking division in 2020. She engaged in equity offerings and IPO deals for insurance and financial institutions. After that, she transferred to the Capital markets division and engaged in fixed income financing for business companies and the public sector. She graduated from Keio University (B.A. in Policy Management).
Kosei Kudo
Senior Associate
Kosei Joined Digital Garage as a new graduate in 2019. He was in charge of web advertising management and media planning in Marketing business. He joined DG Incubation in September 2022.
Yoshiki Chijiwa
Associate
Yoshiki joined Digital Garage as a new graduate in 2018. He started as an Ad Operations Consultant in the Marketing business after working for many mobile app publishing companies. He joined DG Incubation in April 2021 and is responsible for a wide range of startup support, including capital investment and support for seed accelerator program adopters. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Rie Terada
Head of Administration Dept.
Senior Portfolio Manager
Rie started her career in the investment division of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank.
Later she joined independent VC firms, fintech startups, and CVC performing middle-office related functions and then started working for DG in 2023.
Meiji University.
Ayumi Miyano
Fund Operation
Ayumi has been working at Digital Garage since 2019 in operations of the Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator and its sister programs and joined DG Incubation in 2022 in charge of back-office operations. She has experience in sales and international communications at an apparel Import and retail company after graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor's degree.
Toshiya Tabata
Manager
Toshiya joined Digital Garage in 2021. He was in charge of startup investment, growth, and open innovation at Onlab BioHealth / Open Innovation. He joined DG Incubation in April 2024 and is responsible for startup investment and growth. Before joining Digital Garage, he started his career as a game designer at TECMO KOEI GAMES and worked as COO for a healthcare startup in business development, and as a consultant in new business development for NTT DATA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTING. He graduated from Keio University (M.A. in Media Design) and studied design at Royal College of Art and Pratt Institute.
Daisuke Hara
Senior Venture Partner
Daisuke joined Digital Garage in November 2019. He passed the Certified Public Accountant Examination after graduating from Keio University in 2005. He has worked at Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC since 2007, where he is involved in auditing various tasks in the financial, manufacturing, and other industries. He went to Silicon Valley in 2012, where he spent two years helping three American companies with their stock market listings. Since 2015, he has been CFO of a consulting company that utilizes real estate big data and a chemical recycling company that uses garbage as a raw material. In addition to equity, he is also well-versed in various fundraising methods, such as debt and subsidies. His cumulative fundraising total is more than nine billion yen.
Yusuke Sonoda
Senior Associate
Yusuke joined Digital Garage as a new graduate in 2018 and started his career in Marketing business, engaged in digital marketing planning, proposal, and direction. He provides consistent marketing scenarios and solutions between digital and real life to businesses in various industries. He joined DG Incubation and Open Network Lab in 2021 and is in charge of mentoring, leveraging his expertise in digital marketing.
Please feel free to reach out regarding Open Network Lab Fund