Venture Capital Recruiter
Looking to hire venture capital talent in Japan? Selby Jennings connects firms with professionals who fit their investment approach, sector focus and working style. Japan’s VC market combines strong corporate venture activity, deep tech research and a growing startup ecosystem, which makes targeted hiring essential. We help firms add investment leaders, build out new teams and support portfolio companies as they scale across Japan and Asia.
Supporting every step of your VC recruitment journey
Japan’s venture capital landscape is gathering real momentum, but hiring the right talent still presents clear challenges. Firms look for people with sector depth in AI, robotics and biotech, cross-border capability and experience working inside Japan’s corporate innovation ecosystem. The market relies on long-term relationships and strong local knowledge, so filling key investment and portfolio roles often takes longer than in more fluid markets.
What makes Japan’s VC market special is its industrial strength, high-tech research base and renewed commitment to scaling startups. Venture capital investment reached about USD 20 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to more than USD 85 billion by 2033. Corporate venture activity has also expanded significantly, with investment volumes rising sharply over the past decade. This mix of advanced research, global capital and deep industry roots creates a distinct, high-potential environment for investors.
Selby Jennings helps you overcome the hiring challenges that come with this environment by connecting your firm with professionals who meet Japan’s market requirements.
Expertise in venture capital
We bring more than 20 years of experience in VC recruitment from seed to late stage. We know the skills that matter in Japan: ability to navigate regulatory frameworks, work with corporate partners, evaluate deep tech and execute cross-border deals.
Global network of VC talent
We access local and international candidates with the sector know-how, commercial judgement, and Japanese language or regional experience necessary for success. Whether your fund is focusing on early-stage or growth equity, we can recommend talent aligned with your objectives.
Hiring confidentiality
Japan’s VC sector is tightly networked and heavily relationship-based. Our process is discreet, protecting your strategic interests and candidate privacy throughout each search.
Long-term partnerships
We partner with your firm to understand your thesis, culture and goals in the Japanese and broader Asia Pacific markets. That means we don’t just place someone for now — we help you build the right team for growth and resilience.
Selby Jennings supports a broad range of firms across the venture capital ecosystem, including but not limited to:
- Early-stage venture capital firms (Seed to Series A)
- Growth equity firms (Series B+ and beyond)
- Corporate venture capital arms
- Impact and sustainability-focused VC funds
- Sector-specific firms (e.g. fintech, biotech, deep tech, climate tech)
- Family offices with direct VC investment mandates
- University endowments and innovation fund arms
- Global and regional multi-stage VC platforms
…and many more firms where innovation, scalability, and strategic investment are at the core of long-term success.
Looking to grow your team?
Request a call back and speak with one of our specialist consultants today.
Selby Jennings partners with venture capital firms globally to deliver high-impact talent across investment and capital functions. Roles we typically support include, but are not limited to:
- Investment Analyst
- Investment Associate
- Senior Associate
- Vice President – Investments
- Principal
- ESG / Impact Analyst
- Sector Specialist (e.g. Biotech, Fintech, AI)
- Fundraising Associate
- Investor Relations Associate
We connect visionary professionals with venture firms where strategic thinking, market insight, and founder alignment drive long-term success.
Looking to grow your team?
Request a call back and speak with one of our specialist consultants today.
Selby Jennings offers various workforce solutions tailored to your specific objectives.
- Permanent hires - Our permanent search service, whether through contingent or retained venture capital recruitment, helps you secure the professionals who can truly make an impact.
- Contract hires - Our extensive network of contractors and interim managers integrate seamlessly into companies to drive short term goals.
- Multi-hire projects - We take a consultative approach with our clients, managing the entire recruitment process from sourcing to hiring across the entire project.
Working with Selby Jennings felt like an extension of our team. They understood our thesis, spoke our language, and introduced talent that truly reflected our values and ambition.