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We invest as the first believer of founders
We invest to create positive impacts to India
We invest in strong conviction and passion
We invest as the first believer of founders
We invest to create positive impacts to India
We invest in strong conviction and passion
Nao Murakami, Founder and General Partner of Incubate Fund Asia, brings a wealth of experience in the IT/Internet startup sector. He honed his expertise at the Tokyo and New York offices of Nomura Securities Group’s Investment Banking Division, successfully guiding numerous tech startups to IPOs. In 2014, he ventured to India, where he gained hands-on experience by launching his own startup. Recognizing India’s potential, he founded Incubate Fund Asia (previously Incubate Fund India) in 2016 and assumed the role of General Partner, further contributing to the growth and success of startups in the region.
Education – B.A. Political Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location – Bangalore
Brief – After graduating from university, carried out investment operations in IT companies in Silicon Valley at JAFCO’s overseas investment arm. After that, he worked for Accenture’s venture capital arm. In 2007, founded Core People Partners, a fund specializing in incubation of internet businesses. In 2010, founded Incubate Fund, appointed as joint partner.
Message – In our position as investors, rather than supervise and manage entrepreneurs, we stand firm in our support of companies we invested in, try to bring success to the business together with the entrepreneurs and be a flat partner to the entrepreneurs as much as possible. The industry of venture capitals is a new and immature industry, although its value expected from society is great. Incubate Fund itself continues to explore the shape of a stronger and new venture capital as an entrepreneur in Japan and Asia.
Education – Graduated Keio University Faculty of Business and Commerce
Location – Tokyo/Singapore
Brief – Rajeev’s professional career started as a Business Analyst in BFSI space at Deloitte Consulting & Strategy practice where he assisted Bandhan Microfinance in charting out the roadmap for its banking foray. After that, he worked with SEA based Rocket Internet Portfolio Company, Lazada. Prior to joining Incubate Fund India, Rajeev was heading the Advisory, Investments and Portfolio Management at Lead Angels.
Message – Since college I have been working with emerging entrepreneurs, identifying investable opportunities and have assisted the Singapore Govt. and London Business School Alumni Venture fund (Susses Place Ventures) for Investments. Looking forward to partner with disrupting companies and resilient entrepreneurs in shaping future of India.
Education – B.Tech, IIT Bombay
Location – Mumbai
Brief – Co-founded a gaming media publication in Singapore which he ran for 10 years since he was 14. Left the gaming industry after receiving his diploma and served the Army for 2 years as an Infantry Platoon Commander. Was in LionGold as an M&A analyst in 2013 and went to join RSM Corporate Advisory where he was the fastest promoted junior staff. In 2016, he joined Incubate Fund as an associate.
Message – We always look forward to working together with founders as partners and friends. Founders and Venture Capitalists are 2 sides to the same coin, like strong founders, we always strive to be “strong hands” during down and up times. We seek to uncover opportunities in the market faster than anyone, so we can see from the same perspective as founders. We also want to help founders connect the dot as we leverage on Incubate Fund’s position on the ground in Japan and Asia.
Education – Bsc(Hons), Banking and Finance, University of London
Location – Singapore
Alok is an Associate in the investment team at Incubate Fund Asia, supporting early stage investments in India.
After graduating from IIT Kharagpur, Alok joined Indian FMCG giant ITC in its Foods Business Division. He experienced a startup-like culture by building the B Natural Juices and Sunfeast milkshakes category in India. Additionally, Alok led operations and projects for the beverages business by handling end-to-end supply chain operations, managing three beverage manufacturing units, and launching numerous new products in the market. Finally, Alok joined Incubate Fund India team after MBA to stay close to the startup ecosystem and be a part of their fast-paced growth journey.
Having experienced a fast-paced culture at my previous organisation, Alok understands the impact purposeful capital can create when deployed in the correct manner. At Incubate Fund, Alok aspires to work with exceptional founders and blend business & innovation in an exciting and impactful manner.
Education – MBA in Strategy and Marketing, Indian School of Business; B. Tech, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Location – Bangalore
Rohit is an Associate in the investment team at Incubate Fund Asia, supporting India investments for the SMBC Asia Rising Fund.
Prior to joining Incubate Fund Asia, Rohit worked on healthcare investments at Lightrock, the world’s largest impact focussed venture capital firm.
Prior to entering the investment ecosystem in India, Rohit worked in a series of operating roles, including the CEO’s office at Abbott Laboratories where he was the Program Manager for growth strategy & commercial initiatives for Abbot’s largest Indian medicine division, AbSure. Rohit started his career as an Operations Manager at Procter & Gamble, where he led Gillette’s largest razor blade packaging operation globally.
Rohit is actively involved in the social impact space, having setup, and run (in the capacity of COO) a UK based non-profit organization called Nostos Homes, that focuses on building lightweight, modular housing for individuals displaced due to disaster, conflict etc, and has built houses on the ground in Assam and Karnataka in India and Malawi in Africa.
Education – B. Tech, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Location – Bangalore
Prior to joining IF as an investment associate, Darren worked at Asia Pulp & Paper Group’s family office , where he co-led the group’s first global bond issuance and data center investment. He also previously had worked for Lockton Insurance Broker in Los Angeles as a risk analyst.
Darren holds a double major B.A. in Economics and Political Science, with minor in Business Finance from University of California, San Diego. During his time in the college, he was the chapter president for multiple organizations such as UNICEF, Amnesty International, and San Diego Indonesian Association. Outside of work, he likes to spend his time golfing, low-stakes poker, and skipping.
Location – Jakarta, Indonesia
Surbhi is a Manager in Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Incubate Fund Asia, supporting early-stage investments in India.
Prior to joining Incubate Fund Asia, Surbhi managed the India operations of a Japanese family office: DAS Capital, the Venture Capital arm and Harbourfront Capital, the Alternate Investment arm, focusing on investments in Fintech, Sharing Economy, Supply Chain, and Logistics.
Surbhi is a Chartered Accountant by profession and started her career with PwC in the Mergers and Acquisition team. Before that, she completed her articleship in Corporate Taxation with Sudit K. Parekh & Co.
She believes in re-investing the uninvested side of oneself. She has started various passion projects, with mental health being one of them and is on a journey to create awareness of the importance of mental health in this fast-paced growing startup ecosystem.
At Incubate Fund, she aspires to work with the exceptional team, build long-lasting relationships and blend business and purpose in an exciting and impactful manner.
" Japanese investor see India as one of the most strategic market. Incubate Fund India has a deep commitment to the Indian market with it's founding partner Nao-san based here. They bring a vast connection to late stage investor in Japan."
" I feel proud to say ShopKirana was the first investment of Incubate Fund in India. If i were to summarize IF's approach to investing, it would be "taking the journey together". My message to any founder looking to raise seed capital is to find someone who will connect with and believe in your company's vision."
"There are believers who believe in company. There are believers who believe in founders. But, there are only few who go beyond that and share passion, bad moments, and believe in humanity too. Incubate Fund team is one of such. We are fortunate to have a backer like Incubate Fund."