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Rakuten Startup Programs & Corporate Open Innovation Analysis Ecommerce & Retail · Ecommerce

Rakuten is a tech company that offers electronic commerce solutions in Japan and internationally. The company operates in three segments such as internet services, finance services, and others. The internet services segment comprises businesses running various e-commerce sites, including Rakuten Ichiba, an internet shopping mall; travel booking sites; portal sites; and e-book businesses as well as businesses for advertising and sale of contents and similar on these sites. Its offerings include e-reading, online travel reservations, online auctions, online marketing, online golf course reservations, portal sites, search engines, integrated internet marketing, online recipe posting and browsing, student recruiting community, online purchase of discount coupons, online shopping, and video on demand services. It is involved in the online sale of books, CDs, and DVDs. The internet finance segment is engaged in providing services related to banking and securities, credit cards, life insurance, and electronic money. This segment provides credit card payment, internet banking, online brokerage, online comprehensive insurance, and face-to-face and online life insurance services as well as credit card transactions on smartphones and tablets. The other segments are involved in the provision of communications services such as next-generation LTE-compatible mobile data communication, telecommunications, internet connection and corporate mobile phone services, and management of a professional baseball team. The company was formerly known as MDM, Inc. and changed its name to Rakuten, Inc. in June 1999. Rakuten, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
global.rakuten.com Tokyo, Japan Founded Available with StartupBlink Pro

In StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index, Rakuten ranks #38 globally and #3 in Japan. It ranks #4 in the Ecommerce & Retail industry and #2 in the Ecommerce subindustry.

Global
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#38
Industry
Ecommerce & Retail
#4
Subindustry
Ecommerce
#2
National · Japan
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#3
More Ranked Corporates
Key metrics

Rakuten Startup Activity Metrics

Rakuten has supported 77 startups through programs and investments, with those companies raising a combined $22.9 billion over the last ten years. The company currently operates 2 active startup programs.

Overview

Explore Rakuten's investments, startup programs, and corporate open innovation activity

Rakuten has deployed more than $1.2 billion in startup investments through Rakuten Capital and partnership programs, strengthening its position as one of the leading innovation-driven corporations globally.

The company currently runs 2 active startup programs supporting 77 startups worldwide across industries such as Ecommerce & Retail, Fintech, Foodtech, and Hardware & IoT. Its venture arm Rakuten Capital has invested in over 46 startups since it was founded in 2018.

The corporate-innovation activity is concentrated in Software & Data, Fintech, and Social & Leisure, categories where Rakuten's scale provides outsized leverage to early-stage startups.

Activity breakdown

Where Rakuten-associated startups operate

Sector, HQ-city and program-location breakdowns for the startups associated with Rakuten. Unlock the full breakdown with StartupBlink Pro.

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Sector, HQ-city, and program-location breakdowns for all 77 startups associated with Rakuten are part of StartupBlink Pro.

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Programs & CVC

Rakuten Startup Programs and Corporate Venture Capital initiatives

Rakuten engages startups through 2 active programs, supporting 77 startups in total based on our database.

R—
Rakuten — Corporate Self
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
37 startups
Rakuten Capital
Rakuten Capital
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2018
Investment Program
Rakuten Capital is a corporate venture capital group that provides funding, sector experience and operational support to its portfolio companies across the world. Rakuten Capital is part of t
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List of Startups

Top startups associated with Rakuten

Rakuten's top 5 associated startups have raised 69% of the $22.9 billion raised in the last ten years across all 77 associated startups, led by Gojek at $6.8 billion. Rakuten is associated with 68 active startups and 9 exits. Rakuten Capital supports the largest number of startups, with 46 associated startups.

Disclaimer: This is based on general open web search and prone to mistakes.

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Startups associated with Rakuten
StartupSB ScoreIndustryHQ cityLink Type to CorporationLinked via
LyftLyftSB 813TransportationSan FranciscoDirect InvestmentRakuten — Corporate Self
Fever LabsFever LabsSB 763Social & LeisureMadridDirect InvestmentRakuten — Corporate Self
Coda PaymentsCoda PaymentsSB 721FintechSingapore CityProgram InvestmentRakuten Capital
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Corporate Startup Activity Index · 2025

Global Corporate Open Innovation Rankings

Explore the top 372 corporations in StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index. Rakuten ranks #38 globally and #3 in Japan. It accounts for 7.1% of the measured corporate startup activity in the Ecommerce & Retail industry and 8.6% of the activity generated by corporations in Japan. Unlock more granular data on each corporation with StartupBlink Pro.

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