Japan Airlines sets up $70m corporate venture capital fund

Photo: Japan Airlines' Facebook page

By Quynh Nguyen

January 30, 2019

Japan Airlines (JAL) has set up a corporate venture capital (CVC) fund with a corpus of 8 billion Yen (about $70 million) to invest in travel and mobility startups.

The fund, called Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, will be managed by US venture capital firm TransLink Capital.

JAL said the CVC will help enhance its product offerings as a full-service carrier and leverage its assets to focus on new types of transportation.

Founded in 1951, Japan Airlines provides airline services in Japan and internationally. The company offers scheduled and non-scheduled air transportation services, and aerial work services.

It operates a fleet of 174 owned and 48 leased aircraft. Its main hubs are Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport as well as Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport, according to data from CrunchBase.

In December 2017, JAL made a $10-million investment in Boom Supersonic, which is developing a new-generation supersonic jet. It also made pre-commitments to take 20 of the aircraft. It has also backed Tokyo-based Ispace Inc, a private lunar robotic exploration company seeking to provide low-cost transportation service.

US-based TransLink Capital focuses on investments in IT-related startup companies and connects them with major companies in Asia, including Japan.

Also Read:

Ispace raises $90m from Japan Airlines, Tokyo Broadcasting to start Moon ads by 2020 

Japan Airlines invests $10m in supersonic jet company Boom

Japan’s ANA Holdings in talks to acquire Philippine Airlines stake 

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW