Fund Open Network Lab & ESG I Fund "Earthshot Fund"
Our Vision
Open Network Lab & ESG Ⅰ Investment Limited Partnership
Open Network Lab ESG I Fund ("Earthshot Fund"), in conjunction with Japan's first seed accelerator, Open Network Lab ("Onlab"), which has been operating since 2010, will invest in startups both in Japan and abroad that have promising future prospects, with a focus on Onlab participants (applicants and adopters) as well as startups related to ESG. We also make follow-up investments in startups with high growth potential after execution of the investment. By utilizing the diverse resources and network of Onlab and Digital Garage, we will fully support the enhancement of corporate value of our investee companies’ businesses.
This fund is an ESG-focused fund that invests in sustainable next-generation startups with an emphasis on ESG by utilizing Onlab's portfolio, sourcing network, and the knowledge to foster the growth of startups. Combining Onlab's resources and expertise to invest in and support seed and early stage startups and ESG-related startups.
Support for startup businesses
Onlab, a seed accelerator founded in 2010, has produced successful startups that have gone on to IPOs, M&As, and unicorns. Onlab has built up a network and experience of these startups, which is used to support the businesses of new investee companies.
Collaboration with large corporations
Onlab operates an open innovation program that involves some of Japan's largest companies. Through the program, we create business opportunities for our investee companies, including PoC with large companies and product/service introductions to large companies.
ESG management and marketing support
There is a growing demand for ESG management in startups. The Fund partners with ESG investors globally to study cutting-edge ESG investment and management expertise. We support the introduction of ESG management and external marketing measures that are appropriate for the stage of each startup.
The Process
Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator Program
The fund collaborates with the Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator, a seed accelerator program operated by Digital Garage. The program not only sources outstanding startups, but also provides business support to accelerate the growth of startups.
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.
Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator Program is currently accepting applications for its 30th batch until the end of March 2025. In addition to the existing “JAPAN Track” which provides growth support in Japan, DG also assists startups’ global expansion from Day 1 through the “GLOBAL Track”, utilizing the incubation center in San Francisco and diverse global networks. Apply Now!
Latest Portfolio
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
Carbon infrastructure services that create, sell, and profit
*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
2025.04.15
「KAICO株式会社」
シリーズBラウンドとして5.4億円の資金調達を実施
2025.03.13
Apple Vision Pro向けイマーシブビデオプラットフォームを提供するAmplium、米国VC「LAUNCH Fund」などからプレシード資金調達を実施
2025.01.28
「株式会社森未来」
Sustainable Forestを実現する｜株式会社森未来、シリーズAラウンドの資金調達を実施
2024.11.28
「株式会社Alpaca.Lab」
アルパカラボ、資金調達を実施。MIXI、サカイ引越センター、ベクトルなどから約3億円
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 CFA Institute Certificate in ESG 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
Senior Associate
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).
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.
Kosei Kudo
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.
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
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.
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