Strategic Investing
We're aligned with strategic investors where the primary goal is to fund a partnership to drive revenue. We make direct investments, fund joint ventures and bring other resources to the table.
We're aligned with strategic investors where the primary goal is to fund a partnership to drive revenue. We make direct investments, fund joint ventures and bring other resources to the table.
We'll jointly develop the market entry strategy and build the business plan. Once funded, we'll assist with recruitment, localization, sales & support. Our team has develop 100s of plans for over 30 years.
With strategic investors the business scales faster than building out a market on your own. We'll assist with recruitment, localization, sales & support. Learning how to scale operations with us, can help you globally.
We were there when a floppy disk drive manufacturer needed an investment and help with its supply-chain. Then the internet came along and we partnered and invested with AOL. Then email with Bigfoot Interactive. Commerce with Linkshare. Adtech with Ad.com. Social with Sprinklr.
Alignment is the key to success and we operationalize the relationship with our strategics. Knowing how to manage limited resources, across International teams is critical to success. We're sensitive to this and know how to manage this process.
Our mission is to help companies reach global success by winning in one of the world's largest commercial markets.
Understanding how profoundly cultural differences plays a key role to success in opening new markets. Our team are native Japanese, European and American. We've worked together for 30 years and understand how to leverage cultures to create better product experiences.
Our True North is when we successfully grab market share, create great jobs, and have a profitable return on our investment.
.png)
Japan is home to a multitude of globally renowned corporations, and Wishbone collaborates with numerous industry leaders to identify pivotal focus areas that drive transformation. Our strategic investors encompass leading entities in media, consumer brands, trading companies, retail, agencies, logistics, energy, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Our primary focus is on technology that enhances revenue generation, cost reduction, or risk mitigation.
Ideally, growth-stage companies that are ready to move quickly and have already launched in one international market are preferred. However, many great ideas are copied internationally before you have a chance to get there, so we recognize the importance of getting involved early. Wishbone views every partnership as a revenue opportunity rather than a stage. We're not focused on getting into an investment at a certain stage; we care about market readiness and potential.
We define investment as the total capital needed to form a strategic alliance and launch the business. This includes a direct equity investment as well as the capital commitment needed to drive sales and support. There is no minimum. We've started with a capital commitment of $100,000 to $50 million in the case of a joint venture company.
We are your champions, not decision-makers. Our strategic partners understand Wishbone is selective, and we're expected to explore the market potential before we make recommendations. We have executive support for what we do, and they expect us to do the heavy lifting in terms of due diligence, legal, financial, and go-to-market strategy.
Wishbone distinguishes itself from traditional VC by aligning with corporate innovation programs as part of their CVC initiatives. Our investment strategy is predicated on the existence of a partnership opportunity that facilitates market entry through strategic alliances. This approach differentiates us from conventional VC and CVC models, which often function as passive investors. Our investments are intricately linked to a business strategy that aligns with the global revenue objectives of both parties involved. Unlike VCs, we do not compete for deals; rather, we collaborate to incorporate our strategic investors at the opportune moment, whether in the current funding round or a subsequent one. Our focus is on long-term market entry and sustained growth; in short revenue production.
Our team boasts over three decades of experience in strategic investments, and our methodology is meticulously crafted to expedite the phases of market research and commercial negotiations. Our primary objective is to facilitate rapid market entry. Unlike typical CVC programs that often adopt a cautious, observational stance, we prioritize swift action to assess market opportunities. Upon identifying viable prospects, we mobilize the necessary resources to finalize and enhance the alliance. Our mandate is not merely to secure funding but to construct businesses with agility and scalability.
We understand that successful companies often undergo multiple funding rounds. As strategic investors, our focus is on long-term partnerships. Our engagement typically begins with a partnership agreement and culminates in investor documentation. While sometimes the timing aligns perfectly, at other times, our investment may occur at a later stage. Regardless, we are confident that if we execute our strategy effectively, the lead investor will welcome our participation. Our strategic partners are esteemed brands that enhance our collaborative efforts. It is uncommon for us to engage in a partnership without capitalizing on a direct investment opportunity when it arises.
The majority of companies we engage with often lack the expertise required to establish international partnerships or joint ventures. Consequently, we assume a leadership role in these processes. We are responsible for drafting all commercial agreements, which encompass technology licenses, trademarks, and support arrangements. In instances where a joint venture company is formed, we take charge of developing all investor agreements, employee and advisor stock-option programs, and employment contracts. With over 30 years of experience, Wishbone is adept at forming these types of commercial alliances.
In the context of establishing a joint venture in Japan, our strategic partners generally take on the role of lead investors. Conversely, when we engage in direct investments we prefer to collaborate with a local lead investor.
Our experience spans over three decades in Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, with investments throughout the United States. Since 2017, we have expanded our activities to include both Eastern and Western Europe, as well as India. Our strategic partners are multinational corporations seeking technological innovations globally.
