Ibex Japan is Here! - Beyond Open Innovation - A Two-Day Experience of the New OS "Polynodal Innovation" Launch Event Report for Tokyo & Osaka

Ibex Japan is a new form of growth partner and a full-stack venture capital firm born from the corporate innovation division of Antler, a global early-stage VC operating in over 22 countries and 30+ locations, with cumulative investments in over 1,800 companies, $1.3 billion in assets under management, and two unicorn companies to its name. Based on its unique "Polynodal Innovation" approach, it cross-connects cutting-edge technology, industry expertise, domestic and international startup ecosystems, and corporate/investor networks, supporting everything from business creation and investment to global expansion and scale-up.

To commemorate its full-scale launch in Japan, Ibex Japan held launch events in Tokyo and Osaka in November 2025. The events brought together corporate executives, investors, startups, and researchers from Japan and abroad. Centered on themes of DeepTech, Web3, IP commercialization, and Polynodal Innovation, active discussions were held on the next growth models for Japanese companies and Japan-originated DeepTech startups. Furthermore, at the Osaka event, a congratulatory address was given by Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, expressing high expectations for Kansai-originated innovation through Ibex Japan's initiatives. Ibex Japan promotes decentralized innovation creation that leverages regional characteristics, starting from the industrial foundations, research assets, and talent pools found across Japan. Through sessions concretely outlining focus areas in each region at these launch events, Ibex Japan introduced its approach to connecting regionally-born innovation to the global stage. Two Key Focus Areas Kansai: Ibex Kansai DeepTech Innovation Platform Ibex Japan promotes decentralized innovation creation that leverages regional characteristics, starting from the industrial foundations, research assets, and talent pools found across Japan. Through sessions concretely outlining focus areas in each region at these launch events, Ibex Japan introduced its approach to connecting regionally-born innovation to the global stage.▶︎Two Key Focus AreasKansai: Ibex Kansai DeepTech Innovation PlatformSupporting the Global Scale-up of Kansai-born DeepTech Startups

In the Kansai area, the focus is on DeepTech fields including quantum, materials science, biotechnology, and next-generation energy. Starting from this region where universities/research institutions, startups, and large corporations are densely concentrated, Ibex Japan provides end-to-end scale-up support for DeepTech startups premised on the global market, encompassing PoC design/execution, overseas expansion, CxO talent matching, and investment. It is building a practical platform to connect research results and technological seeds to the commercialization phase, enabling Kansai-born DeepTech startups to grow into competitive entities in the global market. At the Osaka event, discussions were held from the perspective of new operational models on how Kansai-born DeepTech startups can scale to the world market and how large corporations should co-create with cutting-edge startups. Speakers: Jesper Koll (Economist), Drahomira Mandikova (Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. Group Chief Corporate Affairs Officer), Kazuki Matsuo (Co-founder & CEO, Ex-Fusion), Yuki Taga (Investment Department Head, OUVC), Sandeep Casi (Partner, Antler / Head of Ibex APAC), Baz Saidieh (Managing Partner, Ibex) Tokyo: Ibex × Cardano Web3 Venture Builder Program Tokyo: Ibex × Cardano Web3 Venture Builder Program New Business Creation through Japanese IP × Web3

In Tokyo, the focus is on the Web3 domain utilizing IP tokenization and blockchain technology. In Japan, which possesses world-class content IP, Ibex will redesign the mechanisms for utilization, distribution, and monetization through smart contract-based micro-licensing and IP tokenization for IP that has not been fully leveraged in the global market. This aims to build a business foundation that creators and startups worldwide can utilize. This program is based on Cardano and, in collaboration with various companies interested in IP tokenization/blockchain technology, including Animoca Brands, will work with domestic and international startups possessing cutting-edge technology to unleash the infinite potential of Japanese IP and create new business opportunities in the global market. At the Tokyo event, starting from the potential of a Japan-originated creative economy opened up by IP and Web3, and considering the limitations faced by traditional growth models and open innovation, discussions were held on the new form of implementation beyond them: Polynodal Innovation.

Speakers: Jesper Koll (Economist), Masao Hirano (Professor, Waseda Business School / Former Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company Japan), Naoki Matsuo (Head of IP Business at Animoca Brands KK), Reinaldo Normand (General Partner and Co-Founder at Niu Ventures), Sandeep Casi (Partner, Antler / Head of Ibex APAC), Baz Saidieh (Managing Partner, Ibex) Moving forward, Ibex Japan will fully launch various innovation projects, including the Ibex Kansai Innovation Platform and the Cardano × Web3 Venture Builder Program. Furthermore, the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center and Antler Ibex have entered into a strategic business agreement to promote global open innovation. Through this collaboration, they will advance the joint discovery/nurturing of startups in fields such as energy, Climate Tech, bio, mobility, and AI, as well as PoC collaboration, overseas expansion support, and follow-on investment. Starting with this partnership, Ibex Japan will gradually build "corridors" connecting Japan's and the world's innovation hubs, forming a network that circulates regionally-rooted innovation globally. Stay Connected with Ibex! https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibex-apac/ https://twitter.com/IbexAPAC Moving forward, Ibex Japan will fully launch various innovation projects, including the Ibex Kansai Innovation Platform and the Cardano × Web3 Venture Builder Program. Furthermore, the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center and Antler Ibex have entered into a strategic business agreement to promote global open innovation. Through this collaboration, they will advance the joint discovery/nurturing of startups in fields such as energy, Climate Tech, bio, mobility, and AI, as well as PoC collaboration, overseas expansion support, and follow-on investment. Starting with this partnership, Ibex Japan will gradually build "corridors" connecting Japan's and the world's innovation hubs, forming a network that circulates regionally-rooted innovation globally.Stay Connected with Ibex!We share the latest news and insights. Please follow us.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibex-apac/X: https://twitter.com/IbexAPAC