VC Mentoring Hours: Karry Fund (Karry Impact & Innovation Fund)

In collaboration with leading venture capital firms, OIST Innovation offers startups and entrepreneurial researchers or students the opportunity to connect directly with venture capitalists for one-on-one mentoring and discussion.
Each round begins with an open seminar-style introduction, where participants can learn about the VC firm's investment focus and characteristics. This is followed by private, closed-door mentoring sessions between startups/researchers/students and the VC representatives.

The featured VC for this round is Karry Fund (Karry Impact & Innovation Fund)

Registration is required.
If the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, OIST Innovation will select participants based on the information provided in the registration form and the strategic fit with the VC.

About Karry Fund

The Karry Fund is an impact investment fund that invests in companies working to address a wide range of social challenges in Okinawa, aiming to generate both financial returns and positive social impact.

We prioritize the sustainable growth of our portfolio companies and the creation of positive impact on society. In addition to IPOs, we consider a wide range of exit possibilities, including share buybacks by management or the company, transfers to employees, business partners, or customers (exit to community), partnerships with corporates through M&A, and transfers to investors including those overseas.

As a discussion partner for social entrepreneurs, we support the realization of their vision, provide growth support such as introducing customers, partners, and talent, and, after investment, assist with impact measurement and management (IMM). Through these efforts, we aim to work with our portfolio companies to build a story in which society evolves alongside the growth of their businesses.

Mentor Profile

Katsunori Onishi
Chief Investment Officer / Investment Committee Member

After joining a Japanese financial institution, he worked in New York, Taiwan, the Middle East, London, and Hong Kong. He engaged in corporate research, IPOs, M&A, and derivatives, and later served as a hedge fund manager at a U.S. investment bank. Since 2015, he has been supporting startups and social entrepreneurs in Okinawa. He is also personally involved in supporting children and women in impoverished regions such as Laos and Myanmar.

Event Overview

Event Title:
VC Mentoring Hours: Introduction to Karry Impact & Innovation Fund

Date:
Monday, December 15th, 2025
14:00–16:00

Timetable:
14:00–14:30 – Introduction to Karry Impact & Innovation Fund / Q&A
14:30–15:00 – Mentoring Session 1
15:00–15:30 – Mentoring Session 2
15:30–16:00 – Mentoring Session 3

Guest VC:
Introduction to Karry Impact & Innovation Fund

Who is elligible:

• OIST Startups
• OIST Innovation Incubator Tenants
• Deep-Tech startups in Okinawa
• OIST researchers or students interested in startup

Language:
English / Japanese

Registration Form:
https://forms.office.com/r/8Mx5E8cZd3