In SBI's fund management business, we have focused our investment in growth fields that will be core industries for the next generation.
Starting with investments in U.S. internet-related companies in the 1990s, we have established venture funds with a cumulative total about JPY 700B, investing and supporting companies operating in areas related to the internet, mobile and smartphone technology, Fintech, AI, and Blockchain. In addition to these areas, we are investing in and supporting companies engaged in businesses in various fields that will contribute to the realization of "Society 5.0 for SDGs," including IoT, big data, robotics, healthcare (medical and nursing care), and infrastructure (transportation and energy).
In this way, we actively support companies that will lead the society of the next generation and contribute to the development of new industries and technological innovation.
We intend to actively invest in green innovation, ESG-conscious impact investing, and areas that match contemporary trends, such as the metaverse and Web 3.0.
Sustainability Initiatives
Effort for Sustainable Coexistence with Society
Since its founding, the SBI Group has strived to fulfill its corporate social responsibility and contribute to the maintenance and development of society by actively promoting various social contribution activities. At SBI Investment, which is at the core of the Group’s asset management business, we respect international standards such as the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” and always from a global perspective, we actively support companies that will lead the society of the next generation, and contribute to the development of new industries and technological innovation.
Contributing to Development of New Industries and Technological Innovation
Contributing to People's Medical and Health Needs through Investments in Healthcare and Biotechnology-related Businesses
As people's interest in healthcare and health grows worldwide, SBI has responded to these needs by investing in drug discovery startups through a fund established in 2003. Since then, SBI has formed several funds to invest in and nurture promising biotechnology, life science, and healthcare-related startups, thereby contributing to people's medical and health needs.
Contributing to Local Communities through Resolving the Issues of Regional Financial Institutions
The business environment surrounding regional financial institutions is expected to remain severe due to prolonged negative interest rate policy, the emergence of new financial services through technological innovation, the aging of society, accelerated population decline, and other factors. By spreading cutting-edge technologies such as fintech, AI, and blockchain of our portfolio companies to regional financial institutions, we support efforts to enhance financial services and strengthen profitability of regional financial institutions, and contribute to regional revitalization.
Popularization of Renewable Energy and Regional Development
As the use of renewable energy for power generation increases worldwide, the introduction of energy that makes effective use of local resources, in addition to solar and wind power, is attracting attention in Japan as an important factor for the future of regional economies. SBI uses investments in environmental energy-related startups to revitalize regional economies by increasing the energy self-sufficiency rate and contributing to the creation of sustainable communities through local production and local consumption.
These initiatives are examples of sustainability-related investment, as emphasized in our Investment Policy 1 “it is not enough to simply make a profit, but the management must be able to recognize that the basis of the business is virtue” and Investment Policy 2 “"A company is a social entity and can only exist within society. Therefore, they must contribute to the maintenance and development of society.”
We believe our investment and support for startups that challenge to achieve the SDGs will contribute to the development of a sustainable society from a variety of aspects, including sustainable economic growth, correcting disparities, the reduction of the burden on the global environment, and the advancement of healthcare and welfare. We strive for contribution to a sustainable society through support for promising startups under the SBI Group's management philosophy.
SDGs-related investment
