First Partners APAC Pte. Ltd. (CEO: Hiroyuki Fukui) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Brinc Japan Ltd. (CEO: Kyoya Okazawa), a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-headquartered Brinc Ltd. (CEO: Manav Gupta), which has accelerated over 250 startups and operates one of the world’s largest sector-specific accelerator programs in Asia.

Under this MoU, First Partners APAC and Brinc Japan will leverage respective advantages to connect Japanese businesses with promising startups in Southeast Asia. Through accelerated partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, First Partners APAC and Brinc Japan aim to bolster the Japanese economy by leveraging the rapidly growing market in Southeast Asia.

Objectives of the Collaboration

Southeast Asia, whose population is quickly growing and primarily made up of Millennials and Generation Z, is experiencing a rapid digital transformation. This, combined with changes in industrial structures, has led to increased incomes, with a significant growth in the middle class expected by 2030, especially in countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. This fast-growing, digitally-driven market has supported the rapid development of startup ecosystems across Southeast Asia. Brinc has accompanied many startups in the region on their growth journeys, building an extensive network.

First Partners APAC, drawing on the expertise and network it has developed as part of the First Partners Group, will work with Brinc Japan to provide Japanese companies with access to the increasingly important Southeast Asian market, particularly in emerging markets.

Hiroyuki Fukui
Director of First Partners APAC

“We provide a platform for M&A, and I believe that Brinc Japan, with whom we are now partnering, will be a highly reliable partner in providing vital information. Combining the strengths of both companies, I am confident that we will be able to powerfully drive the development and expansion of the M&A market in Southeast Asia.”

Kyoya Okazawa
Head of Brinc Japan

“It is a great honor to support the Southeast Asian expansion of First Partners, which has already achieved rapid growth in Japan. I am convinced that capturing Asia’s growth will be a key driver for Japan’s economy to regain momentum.”

About First Partners APAC

First Partners APAC is part of First Partners Group, founded in Tokyo in 2016. Since 2017, the group has operated as an Independent Financial Advisor in Japan, offering a range of services such as mergers and acquisitions, business transfers, fundraising, and real estate consulting. In response to the growing demand for cross-border M&A opportunities, First Partners established First Partners APAC in Singapore in July 2023 to actively pursue opportunities in Southeast Asia.

As Southeast Asia continues to rise as a global production hub, there is expected to be an increase in the sale of corporate entities and production facilities by local businesses. First Partners APAC aims to gather information on such opportunities and connect Japanese companies considering expansion into Southeast Asia, as well as investors seeking opportunities, with the necessary resources to meet their needs. The company is committed to facilitating M&A in the region and helping both local and Japanese clients thrive.

FIRST PARTNERS Co., Ltd.

Representative Director	Go Nakao
Head Office	4F, Akasaka Nakagawa Building, 3-11-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Website	https://f-p.jp/

FIRST PARTNERS capital Co., Ltd.

Representative Director	Yoshikazu Kato
Office Address	2F, Akasaka Nakagawa Building, 3-11-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Website	https://fp-cp.jp/

First Partners APAC Pte. Ltd.

Director	Hiroyuki Fukui
Office Address	20 Anson Rd. #11-01 Twenty Anson (Room: D-04) Singapore 079912
Website	https://fp-apac.sg/

About Brinc Japan

Founded in 2014, Brinc runs sector-specific accelerators specializing in connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, food and agritech, and Web3. With a presence in rapidly growing markets such as Hong Kong, India, and the Middle East, Brinc has accelerated startups from over 35 countries, boasting a portfolio of over 250 companies. Leveraging its extensive experience from programs across Asia, Brinc’s subsidiary Brinc Japan will support the expansion of Japanese startups into Asian markets while attracting promising Asian startups to Japan. Brinc Japan is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and building a robust startup ecosystem through partnerships with companies, financial institutions, universities, and local governments throughout the country.

Brinc is dedicated to developing entrepreneurs essential to solving global social issues. Through its accelerator programs, Brinc has significantly contributed to the growth of startups with innovative ideas and technologies by providing robust support from sector-specific mentors. Brinc’s mission is to drive both economic and social returns by supporting companies that address critical global challenges.

Brinc Japan株式会社

Representative Director	Kyoya Okazawa
Office Address	Business Airport, 7F Shibuya Sakura Stage, 1-4 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Website	https://www.brinc.io/