NEXTBLUE

【 📢イベント開催＠東京📢】 フェムテック・女性の健康領域に取り組むスタートアップ、同領域に関心のあるベンチャーキャピタルの方たちを対象に、フェムテック・女性の健康領域をリードする米国市場の最新情報をお届けするイベントを開催します。 当日は、米国における市場ドライバーと同領域特有のハードル、注目スタートアップとビジネスモデルなどについてお話しします。 お申し込みはこちらから 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/gCMQV2af ※席数が限られておりますので、お早めのお申し込みをお願いいたします。 【開催概要】 🗓️日時：2024年7月9日（火）17:00-19:00 📍場所：NEXTHUB 〒103-0027　東京都中央区日本橋三丁目1番3号 👥対象：フェムテック・女性の健康領域に取り組むスタートアップの方、同領域の起業準備をされている方、同領域への投資に関心のあるベンチャーキャピタルの方 【登壇者紹介】 NEXTBLUE 米国拠点投資家 大嶋紗季 2018年より米国のベンチャーキャピタルにて、グローバルスタートアップへの投資および日系大企業との協業支援に従事。専門は女性の健康領域。業界の主要ピッチコンテストでは日本人で唯一の審査員を務めたほか、現地のVC複数社とともにコミュニティを立ち上げ、日本との橋渡し役として活躍。また欧米における複数のスタートアップコミュニティでメンターを歴任する傍ら、米国在住の日本人女性投資家としてイベント登壇やメディア寄稿を通じてスタートアップの最新情報を発信する。カリフォルニア大学サンディエゴ校経営大学院修了（MBA） https://lnkd.in/gCMQV2af

We are proud to share that NEXTBLUE has led the pre-seed investment round for DAYA, a pioneering women's health venture studio based in Sweden🚀 Excited to be part of the journey with DAYA founders Malin Frithiofsson Jennifer Grönqvist Jenny Lundkvist alongside prominent co-investors Vera Invest and Peter Strömberg Vincent Y. Tan Partner at NEXTBLUE, expressed,  “We invested in Daya because they are pioneering femtech innovation in the Nordics, addressing the long-overlooked needs of women’s health. Daya’s interdisciplinary approach, combining technology, design, and healthcare, promises to create impactful solutions for female health and wellbeing. Their vision aligns with our commitment to support ventures that drive inclusive healthcare and empower women globally.” At NEXTBLUE, we are deeply committed to fostering ventures that make a significant impact on women's health and wellbeing. Our investment in Daya marks a significant step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. Thank you Femtech Insider for covering the story! Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g9yipybr

We are thrilled to announce our latest investment in Exactly.ai, a platform empowering artists to harness the power of AI while retaining full ownership of their creations! Excited to be part of the journey with founder, Tonia Samsonova, alongside prominent co-investors Speedinvest InReach Ventures Cornerstone VC Shio Capital GuruDev Capital Atomico Server Partners XTX Ventures. Learn more about how Exactly.ai is revolutionizing the art world and supporting artists in maintaining their creative integrity while embracing the future of AI. https://lnkd.in/gFYJfyiq

Yesterday, our General Partner, Kanako Inoue, had the incredible opportunity to speak at the culminating conference in Tokyo by SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program Official Account. The panel, titled "What Would the World Look Like if Half of All Entrepreneurs Were Women?" was a highlight of the event. Joining forces with two remarkable female entrepreneurs Erika Iwai and Leanne Robers, Kanako shared insights into the unique challenges female founders face in the entrepreneurial landscape. She also provided an overview of the female founders' landscape in Europe and the US, offering valuable perspectives to the Japanese audience. Kanako passionately highlighted the crucial role diversity in venture capital decision-makers plays in bridging these gaps and fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all. At NEXTBLUE, we are dedicated to empowering women's wellbeing and supporting the next generation of female leaders and innovators. Together, we can create a world where women's voices and visions lead the way.

🔵 Driving DEI in Venture Capital in Japan: Insights from NEXTBLUE's Kanako Inoue 🔵 In a recent article where our General Partner, Kanako Inoue, was quoted, critical issues around gender diversity in the Japanese startup ecosystem were highlighted, contrasting starkly with progress seen in the US and Europe. 🌏 International Comparison: While female founders in the US and Europe are beginning to see more equitable funding opportunities—securing 27.8%(22.8% excluding Open AI) and 20.5% of venture capital respectively—Japan lags significantly with women securing only 2% of startup funding. This gap points to deep-seated biases and a need for targeted initiatives to support women founders. 📊 Impact of Gender Biases: A substantial 38% of female startup leaders in Japan feel their gender influences external business evaluations unfavorably, compared to only 12% of men. This significant discrepancy reveals the pervasive challenges women face in securing trust and investment. 🚀 Lack of Diversity within the VC: The disparity is exacerbated by the low proportion of women in VC executive roles—only 7% in Japan, compared to 17.4% in the US. While the percentage of women in VC, including capitalists who identify investment opportunities, has increased to 15.6%, they still tend to lag behind men in promotions and pay raises. A survey by an industry group of women working in VC found that women working in independent VC earn 14% less than men. At NEXTBLUE, we are inspired by Kanako Inoue’s insights and are deeply committed to enriching the startup landscape by fostering an inclusive environment. We believe that supporting diverse founders is crucial to driving true innovation and reflecting the dynamic world around us. https://lnkd.in/gdKB83wz

🚀 Boosting Women's Participation in Science: Japan's Strategic Initiatives 📊 At a mere 17.8% representation, women researchers in Japan are among the lowest in OECD countries. The stereotype that women are less suited for STEM fields persists, evidenced by government surveys showing that a significant number of women have directly or indirectly been discouraged from pursuing science. 🚧Recent government surveys reveal a concerning perception gap: 6% of women reported being directly told that STEM fields were not suitable for them, while 13% felt this sentiment through others' behaviors or attitudes. This underscores the cultural hurdles women face when entering scientific fields. Japan’s Strategic Response: 🎓 Educational Quotas Initiatives like introducing "women-only" quotas in STEM faculties at over ten universities have resulted in a marked increase in female student enrollments. For example, Tokyo Institute of Technology welcomed 56 new female students through this quota in 2023, raising female freshman representation to 15% of the total cohort. 👩🏼🎓 Supportive Policies: With commitments such as 100% uptake in maternity leave for faculty at Tokyo University, Japan is setting new standards for supporting women in academic careers. 🏫 Enhanced Facilities: From 2024, universities will offer amenities like menstrual products and nursing rooms, ensuring that female researchers can work in comfort and dignity. https://lnkd.in/gB9FqZyz

🇯🇵 Women's Health Issues Lead to $22.6 Billion Economic Loss Annually in Japan🇯🇵 🚺 Economic Impact of Women's Health Issues: The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates the annual economic loss from women's specific health issues, like menopausal symptoms and gynecological cancers, at approximately 3.4 trillion JPY (around $22.6 billion USD). 💼Workforce Impact: Women make up 44% of the workforce in Japan. The health issues studied include menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, gynecological cancer, and fertility treatments. These health issues lead to significant economic losses due to reduced work ability and absences. 💸 Economic Breakdown: The largest economic loss is attributed to menopausal symptoms in women aged 40-50, estimated at 1.9 trillion JPY (approximately $12.6 billion USD). Total economic loss from absenteeism across the four conditions is 430 billion JPY (about $2.86 billion USD), with productivity loss during work due to pain and other symptoms estimated at 1.03 trillion JPY (about $6.85 billion USD), and losses from resignations and long-term absences at 1.68 trillion JPY (around $11.17 billion USD). https://lnkd.in/gpm2YsTt

🇯🇵 Women's Health Issues Lead to $22.6 Billion Economic Loss Annually in Japan🇯🇵 🚺 Economic Impact of Women's Health Issues: The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates the annual economic loss from women's specific health issues, like menopausal symptoms and gynecological cancers, at approximately 3.4 trillion JPY (around $22.6 billion USD). 💼Workforce Impact: Women make up 44% of the workforce in Japan. The health issues studied include menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, gynecological cancer, and fertility treatments. These health issues lead to significant economic losses due to reduced work ability and absences. 💸 Economic Breakdown: The largest economic loss is attributed to menopausal symptoms in women aged 40-50, estimated at 1.9 trillion JPY (approximately $12.6 billion USD). Total economic loss from absenteeism across the four conditions is 430 billion JPY (about $2.86 billion USD), with productivity loss during work due to pain and other symptoms estimated at 1.03 trillion JPY (about $6.85 billion USD), and losses from resignations and long-term absences at 1.68 trillion JPY (around $11.17 billion USD). https://lnkd.in/gpm2YsTt

🚀 As not just investors but fervent supporters of global startups venturing into the Japanese market🎉 We're honored to be selected as a contracted business operator for the pioneering “TOKYO SUTEAM” project, a visionary initiative aimed at nurturing startup collaboration between Japan, US and Europe. 🌏 Launching the “Tokyo Startup Ecosystem Globalization Project,” we embarked on a mission focused on women's wellbeing, attracting groundbreaking startups from the West to Japan. Our journey encompassed two critical phases: 🔍 Market Research Phase: Delving into comprehensive market insights, from necessary permissions to user trends and competitive analysis for European and American businesses eyeing the Japanese market. Our objective was to pave the way for successful market entries, including Proof of Concept (POC) implementations and strategic marketing approaches. 🌉 Establishment Phase: Offering a helping hand in product localization, recruitment, and strategic collaborations with local Japanese entities. Our support extended to project management and robust PR/marketing strategies to ensure a seamless transition into the Japanese market. Amidst Japan's evolving healthcare landscape for women, our initiative sought to bridge the gap, fostering innovation and invigorating the wellbeing startup scene in Tokyo. As Tokyo aims to be at the forefront of the “Asian Startup Ecosystem,” NEXTBLUE is proud to have played a pivotal role in this transformative journey, serving as a conduit for Western startups exploring the vibrant markets of Asia. Reflecting on this milestone, we're reminded of the potential for transformative change and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Let’s continue to celebrate our achievements and stride forward towards a future of innovation and collaboration! 🌟 (While the news dates back to Septembe 2023, the excitement still resonates strongly within us today) https://lnkd.in/ea2gdEZ9

Navigating Menopause: Key Findings on Its Impact in Asia’s Workforce and Economy 📈 1️⃣ Demographic Trends In Eastern Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, the aging population is becoming more apparent, with 34% of women in East and Southeast Asia over the age of 50 as of 2021. This represents an 8% increase over the global average and a 19% rise from three decades earlier, underlining the growing need to focus on menopausal health issues within this demographic. 2️⃣ Economic Costs A 2021 survey conducted by NHK highlighted that each year, over 9% of Japanese women in their 40s and 50s — totaling around 460,000 individuals — exit the workforce due to menopause-related symptoms. This results in a significant economic impact, with losses amounting to 1.9 trillion yen ($12 billion) annually in Japan due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and job cessation. 3️⃣ Underrepresented in Research Research into menopause, such as the work conducted by ACRLE in Singapore, reveals a critical underrepresentation of Asian women in clinical trials and a lack of comprehensive data. This gap hinders the development of specific treatments that cater to the physiological uniqueness of Asian women, who exhibit different symptom patterns compared to Western populations. For instance, while 75% of U.S. women report experiencing hot flashes, only 19% of Singaporean women reported the same symptom, indicating regional variances. 4️⃣ Impact on Career Progression The alignment of the typical age for menopause with the age at which many women reach senior management positions creates what has been termed the "menopause barrier." This barrier impacts career advancement as symptomatic women might decline promotions or struggle with performance. Recognizing this, the Japanese government has set targets to increase female representation in executive roles, mandating that Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime-listed companies have at least 30% female board representation by 2030, a significant increase from just 11% in 2022. 5️⃣ National Study and Policy Implications In 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare conducted the first nationwide study on menopause, surveying 2,975 women aged 20-64. The study found that 44% of women in their 50s experienced menopausal symptoms, with 17% reporting that these symptoms significantly impacted their ability to contribute to society. This important precedent highlights the need for comprehensive government and corporate policies to support women through menopause effectively. 6️⃣ Innovative Corporate Practices In response to these challenges, some companies have begun to implement supportive measures such as "menopause leave." For example, Nomura Real Estate Holdings in Japan now allows women experiencing menopause to take additional paid leave for symptom management. https://lnkd.in/gfT_V_SY