As an example of a Japanese corporate venture capital operation delivering results in Silicon Valley, this article describes how Yamaha Music Innovations is advancing its activities around an action-first approach that connects short-term results with long-term growth. It presents selected examples of past collaborations and key points of its organizational management.
This article examines Yamaha Music Innovations (YMI), a Japanese corporate venture capital operation based in Silicon Valley, as a practical example of a Japanese corporate CVC, and explains how an action-first approach produces results. The author argues that taking action and accumulating small successes, rather than perfecting a strategy, creates a repeatable model.
YMI’s strategy for turning short-term results into long-term growth is collaboration in the existing customer × existing offering segment. Initiatives involving TuneForte, DataFalcon and SimScale have steadily produced concrete results, including solving on-the-ground challenges, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.
Internal communication is essential to gaining the headquarters’ recognition and trust through these collaborations. YMI has worked to build understanding and support within the company by repeatedly communicating the objectives, results and direction of its collaborations.
Ultimately, the article emphasizes that an action-first approach is at the core of success, concluding that it is possible to achieve both short-term results and long-term strategy through continued practical action.