JIC and Atomico Co Host a Discussion Event on Developing Global Venture Capital Talent

Tokyo, February 17,2026 – Japan Investment Corporation (“JIC”)  held a joint event with Atomico (UK) PartnersLLP (“Atomico”) on January 29, 2026, as part of its “Go Global Strategy,” whichaims to increase the number of venture capital firms capable of supportingstartups seeking to expand into overseas markets.

The event, titled “Lunch Session withNiklas: Perspectives from Building a Global VC” (hereinafter “the Event”), wasorganized to facilitate discussions on developing globally competitive venturecapital talent. This marks the third co-hosted event with Atomico, followingongoing collaboration between the two organizations.

Atomico is the founder-built European venture capital firm. They partner with themost ambitious entrepreneurs using technology to drive transformation acrossindustries and society. In February 2024, JIC announced its LP commitment toa fund managed by Atomico.*

* JIC makes LP investments in AtomicoVenture VI SCSp and Atomico Growth VI SCSp (February 29, 2024)

■ About the event

Niklas Zennström,founder of Atomico and a serial entrepreneur known for establishing globallyrecognized technology companies such as Skype and Kazaa, joined the Event andengaged directly with 17 representatives from Japanese venture capital firms inwhich JIC has invested. The discussion covered a wide range of topics—includingorganizational development and team building, governance, and diversity, equity& inclusion (DE&I)—providing a valuable opportunity to share Atomico’sinsights and experience in operating a global venture capital firm.

Participants raised practical, operational questions such as how toprioritize organizational development within a VC firm, the appropriate role ofan external director in supporting portfolio companies, decision‑makingprocesses within investment committees, evaluation and development frameworksfor investment professionals, and the effectiveness of DE&I initiatives infund management. In response, Mr. Zennström offered thoughtful advice groundedin his extensive experience building Atomico and evolving it into a structuredVC organization, including lessons learned through trial and error. Heemphasized that “for a VC firm to develop in a healthy and sustainable manner,it is essential to create an environment where psychological safety is ensuredand diverse team members can express their views from multiple perspectives.”

■ About JIC’s “Go Global” strategy

To foster the development of Japan’sstartup ecosystem, JIC is advancing the following initiatives:

・Investmentin overseas VCs to strengthen collaboration between domestic VCs/startups andoverseas VCs

・Promotionof collaboration between domestic and overseas VCs through investment inleading overseas VC firms

・Transferof global knowledge and expertise back to Japan’s startup ecosystem

JIC leverages the expertise of majoroverseas VCs in nurturing entrepreneurs and fund professionals. Incollaboration with portfolio VCs, JIC is committed to providing networkingevents and opportunities for domestic VCs and entrepreneurs to deepen theirunderstanding of best practices. JIC will continue to focus not only on LPinvestments in private funds and investments in companies by funds under itsumbrella, but also on creating opportunities, like this event, for sharingadvanced knowledge from overseas and networking activities.

About Japan Investment Corporation (JIC)

Japan Investment Corporation (“JIC”) was established in September 2018under the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act. JIC’s investment focusareas are creating a virtuous cycle of domestic investment and innovation;creating and fostering startups; leveraging promising untapped managementresources lying dormant in local areas, including startups from academia andmedium-sized companies; and promoting business restructuring in response tochanges in market and business environments. JIC provides risk capital to theseareas through funds independently established by JIC and LP investment inprivate funds to promote open innovation in Japan, strengthen thecompetitiveness of Japanese industries, and contribute to expansion of Japan’sinvestment ecosystem.