Investment in Startup Companies
Investing in Startups
Investing in Startups
About Investment in Startup Companies
EPIC PARTNERS invests in and supports promising startup companies
through both “human capital” and “financial capital.”
Our distinctive approach is “execution-based investment,” where we accompany you
throughout all aspects of management, recruitment, and strategy development, not just capital provision.
We primarily target companies in the early stage to early growth phase, providing investments of up to 300 million yen per company.
Our key investment themes include areas with significant social impact,
such as AI, data science, health tech, sustainability, and HR tech.
After investment, we leverage EPIC PARTNERS’ extensive executive search network built over many years
to quickly introduce management talent, CxO-level executives, advisors, and external executives.
We provide consistent support beyond mere financial backing, through the phase of “building organizations and growing businesses.”
Furthermore, through collaboration with our M&A advisory division and Aoyama Advanced Technology Research Institute,
we comprehensively support investment recovery, global expansion, and exit strategies.
We provide a “growth infrastructure” for startups to scale over the medium to long term, through both capital and human resources.
EPIC PARTNERS invests not only capital but “management capability itself”—
this is our philosophy for startup support.
Investment
Performance
Investment Track Record
Investment Process
Process to Investment
At EPIC PARTNERS, we position investment in startup companies as a comprehensive partnership
that includes not only “capital provision” but also talent support, management accompaniment, and growth strategy design.
Through the following process, we design the optimal investment and support structure together with management.
EPIC PARTNERS is a partner that consistently supports startups from “founding to growth” and “investment to IPO.”
As “investors who grow with management” rather than mere financiers, we accompany sustainable corporate growth.
Consultation & Initial Hearing (Free)
First, we conduct a hearing on your business content, growth stage, and purpose of fundraising.
After understanding the industry, market, and business model, we conduct an initial examination of investment possibilities and support content.
No fees are charged at this stage.
Business, Financial, and Human Capital Assessment (Due Diligence)
We comprehensively analyze financial status, business plans, technological advantages, and management structure to make investment decisions.
When necessary, we also conduct business plan scrutiny by specialized advisors
and strategic diagnostics considering future M&A and IPO possibilities.
Investment Consideration & Terms Design
Based on analysis results, we discuss investment amount (3 million to 300 million yen), investment scheme, and management support content.
Flexible scheme design is possible, including sole investment, corporate collaboration, joint investment, and M&A-premised investment.
Investment Agreement & Execution
After mutual agreement is reached, we conclude a formal investment contract.
After investment execution, EPIC PARTNERS accompanies you in management meetings, strategy formulation, and recruitment support,
providing management support according to growth stage.
Management Support, Talent Introduction, & Growth Support for Next Phase
After investment, EPIC’s executive search division collaborates to introduce
management executives such as CFO, COO, CMO, and immediate workforce.
Furthermore, through collaboration with Aoyama Advanced Technology Research Institute, we support technology partnerships, global expansion, and additional fundraising.
Customer Feedback
Client Testimonials
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Executive search is a service that searches for and introduces executive-level and highly specialized high-class talent based on formal requests from companies.
A dedicated consultant carefully hears about your company’s management challenges and personnel requirements, creates a dedicated job posting, and uses an extensive network and proprietary research to find suitable candidates for introduction.
On the other hand, headhunting is a method of presenting better conditions and environments to excellent talent active externally and welcoming them to your company. A major characteristic is the ability to directly approach not only active job seekers but also “latent candidates” who are not considering career changes.
A. Executive search operates on a complete success fee basis, with no fees charged until the candidate officially joins.
The fee is typically 30% or more of the hired candidate’s theoretical annual compensation (total including base salary + bonus/incentives).
Headhunting adopts a retainer fee + success fee model (contract period of 6 months or more), with individual contracts based on difficulty and duration.
A. Executive search typically takes approximately 1-3 months from candidate selection to hiring decision.
Headhunting, due to the limited search targets requiring careful research, often achieves results in approximately 6-10 months.
A. Executive search operates on a complete success fee basis, so no fees are charged if recruitment is not successful.
For headhunting, we regularly share progress reports based on retainer contracts, ensuring a highly transparent process.
A. Yes, we can. At EPIC PARTNERS, we proceed with all assignments after concluding strict NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements).
We have extensive experience particularly with cases requiring high levels of confidentiality, such as executive-level recruitment and research assignments from new companies.
A. We cover a wide range of industries including consulting, manufacturing, IT/DX, finance, life sciences, consumer goods, and venture support.
We can flexibly support not only domestic companies but also foreign-affiliated/global companies, public companies, and startups.