[Funding alert] UNLEASH Capital Partners Launches Its Inaugural Fund of USD 30 Mn

UNLEASH Capital Partners announced the launch of its first fund, with a capital commitment of JPY 4.5 billion (approximately INR 250 crores). The fund will invest in promising early-stage companies that are at the forefront of tackling the wide-ranging challenges associated with financial inclusion in India.

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Gojo & Company, Inc., a Japanese holding company of comprehensive financial service providers with operations in India, Tajikistan, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, is the parent firm of UNLEASH. Since 2018, Gojo has increased the scope of its collaboration with Indian financial service providers in several financial service areas, including supply-chain finance, microfinance, affordable housing, wholesale lending, and digital lending. As of September 2023, Gojo’s total assets under management were estimated to be over USD 792 million.

UNLEASH, a recently launched venture capital fund, was raised in a record-breaking 4 months. Natsuki Sugai, a founding-stage member of Gojo and the managing partner at UNLEASH, co-founded the fund with Gojo. Head of venture capital and investment lead at Gojo, Sohil Shah, becomes a founding member and investment partner of UNLEASH.

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Gojo typically invests in growth-stage firms with a lending focus, whereas UNLEASH will concentrate on obtaining minority ownership in tech-driven enterprises in India during their early stages.

UNLEASH’s investing philosophy and procedures will function independently while adhering to Gojo’s goals and objectives. Renowned Japanese investors, such as corporates, family offices, and financial organisations including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”), have supported the first fund, which has an approximate value of INR 250 crores. All of these investors took part in the first close.

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To spur synergistic growth in the Indian market, the fund, which aims to invest in 20–25 enterprises, is eager to investigate commercial partnership potential between its investors and portfolio companies.

Company & Fund overview

• Name: UNLEASH Capital Partners, Inc.
• Foundation: October 2023
• India Office: Mumbai, Bengaluru
• Managing fund: UNLEASH No. 1 Investment Partnership
• AUM: USD30mn+
• Vision: Enable a world where everyone can determine their future.
• Mission: Extend financial inclusion by unleashing bold entrepreneurs’ potential.
• Long Term Goal: Deploy USD 10 billion in total by 2050.

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About UNLEASH

Dedicated to helping forward-thinking business owners, UNLEASH Capital Partners is an early-stage venture capital fund based in India. In November 2023, UNLEASH commenced its operations. These trailblazers are leveraging their potential to increase financial inclusion in addition to taking on big challenges in the financial services industry.