Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., a Japanese leader delivering a collection of beverages centered on beer, non-alcohol beverages and food brands, has established an investment management firm in San Francisco, the US.
Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation, LLC, will start managing a startup investment fund, Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation Fund, from January 2023.
Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation Fund provides funding to US startups that have attractive brands with significant future growth potential in the low-alcohol beverages, non-alcohol beer-taste beverages, and adult soft drink categories. Additionally, the fund invests in startups with technology that will lead to new sales and manufacturing methods.
Through minority investment and collaboration with such startups, Asahi Group Holdings will use Asahi Group’s business platform to support the expansion of sales in the US and abroad for the products and services provided by those companies. Additionally, the company will provide the Asahi Group’s regional headquarters in Japan, Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia with information on startup initiatives and trends in the US market, which will be utilized in their respective areas of operations and contribute to the growth of Asahi Group’s existing businesses.
Total investment is expected to be approximately 70 million USD by the end of 2025. The managers of Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation will consist of employees appointed from Asahi Group’s regional headquarters, and others to manage the startup investment fund.
Asahi Group Holdings has a global portfolio of iconic premium beers that includes “Asahi Super Dry,” “Peroni Nastro Azzurro,” “Kozel,” “Pilsner Urquell” and “Grolsch.” It has presence throughout the world, with primary operations in Japan, Europe, Oceania and Southeast Asia. Headquartered in Japan, the Group is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime section: 2502.T).
Investment Management Company Profile
Company Name: Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation, LLC
Date of Establishment: July 29, 2022
Address: 44 Montgomery Street. San Francisco, CA, 94104
Number of Employees: 5 (planned)
Startup Investment Fund Overview
Formal Name: Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation Fund, L.P.
Managing Company: Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation, LLC
Date of Formation: November 30, 2022
Total Amount of Investment: 70 million USD
Investment Target: Startups providing Beer Adjacent Categories (BAC), such as low-alcohol beverages, non-alcohol beer-taste beverages, adult soft drinks, and others. Other startups with technology that will lead to new sales and manufacturing methods.
FinSMEs