Scrum Ventures

Scrum Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2013, with headquarters in San Francisco and Tokyo, and satellite offices in Minneapolis, Seattle, New York, and Illinois. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage startups across various industries in the U.S. and Japan, emphasizing a thematic approach to identify emerging trends and industry-changing technologies. Scrum Ventures supports its portfolio companies by providing capital, strategic advice, and leveraging its extensive network to facilitate global growth opportunities. Notable corporate partners include Panasonic, Biprogy, Fujitsu, and DeNA, offering support and partnership opportunities for startups interested in the Japanese market and beyond. The firm's investment strategy centers around several key megatrends that are shaping the future of sports and entertainment, including unprecedented growth and globalization. In January 2025, Scrum Ventures closed its first sector-specific fund, Scrum Sports & Entertainment Fund I, at $68 million, investing in technology companies that support the growth of the sports and entertainment sector. The fund has already established a strong foothold in the sports and entertainment sectors, having made strategic investments in 16 promising companies, including Fever, TMRW Sports, Campus Ink, Ozlo Sleep, Bandit Running, Volo Sports, and Misapplied Sciences. These early investments underscore Scrum Ventures' commitment to identifying and supporting future leaders in these dynamic industries. The firm is run by seasoned industry veterans Kazuhiro Kiyoshige and Michael Proman. Kiyoshige brings over two decades of experience in the sports and entertainment sectors, having honed his skills at Dentsu, where he specialized in international sports marketing and broadcasting rights. Proman complements Kiyoshige's expertise with his extensive background in global marketing and development, having held key positions at Coca-Cola and the National Basketball Association before founding and successfully exiting his own startup, OptionIt. Scrum Ventures' unique venture model serves as an innovation gateway between the United States and Japan, helping to connect founders to the world's most iconic brands, customers, and technologies to expedite growth and create category-leading businesses. The firm's partners understand the challenges of entrepreneurship and are fully committed to portfolio success, providing direct assistance with hiring, strategic advice, fundraising, and more. Scrum Ventures' thematic investment approach, strong network in Japan, and support from established Japanese corporates distinguish it in the venture capital landscape, enabling it to identify and support innovative startups with global growth potential.