The Venture Codex Logo

The Venture Codex

Internet Initiative Japan

Iidabashi Grand Bloom 2-10-2 Fujimi, Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, 102-0071, Japan

Overview

Internet Initiative Japan is an Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions provider. IIJ and its group of companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. The company's services include high-quality systems integration and security services, Internet access, hosting/housing, and content design. Moreover, the company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ was listed on NASDAQ in 1999 and on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006.

Total investments
2
Lead investments
0
Investments · 12mo
0
Active investors
10

Sector focus

  • Internet
  • Internet of Things
  • Stock Exchanges
Visit website

Investment portfolio

  • Ditto

    Participated · Series B · Mar 2025

    Founded in 2018, San Francisco-based Ditto offers an embeddable SDK that turns smartphones, tablets, and other edge devices into ad-hoc mesh networks, enabling applications to read and write data locally while remaining synchronized with other devices and the cloud. The platform replaces expensive on-premise edge servers by using built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LAN to keep data consistent even when connectivity is patchy—an approach already adopted by customers such as Delta, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and the U.S. Air Force (which signed a $950 million contract in 2022). Over the past year the company’s customer count has doubled to 30-plus and annual recurring revenue has grown 250%, though absolute figures were not disclosed. Ditto recently partnered with MongoDB to launch a native connector that syncs edge data with MongoDB databases, and it plans to deepen integrations with additional cloud database providers. With fresh capital, the company will expand headcount and accelerate product development aimed at AI-driven, real-time use cases where privacy, resiliency, and low latency are critical. Ultimately, Ditto positions itself as the default platform for edge computing and data synchronization as AI workloads proliferate.

  • DeCurret

    Participated · Equity · Jul 2019

    DeCurret provides financial services involving transactions and settlements of digital currency and operates a virtual currency exchange service. The company positions itself as the “Main Bank of Digital Currency” and intends to extend its services beyond virtual currency to broader digital currency use. DeCurret is developing a new settlement platform designed to enable real-time, direct exchange of value with superior traceability, aiming to reduce social costs and invigorate economic activity. To accelerate that development it is acquiring corporate partnerships and strengthening its development system. Following a private placement that raised ¥3.4 billion, the company’s capital (including capital reserve) stands at ¥8.63 billion. Founded in January 2018 and based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, DeCurret is an equity-method investee of Internet Initiative Japan and is a member of the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association.

Team

  • Tanaka Masako

    Auditor

  • Shimagami Junichi

    CTO

  • Watai Akihisa

    Managing Director

  • Shingo Oda

    Director (part-time)