Masahiro Sameshima ANRI is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 2012. As general partner, Masahiro Sameshima has guided ANRI’s growth into one of Japan’s most active early-stage firms, completing over 200 investments and more than a dozen exits. The firm combines technical expertise with investment experience, drawing on Sameshima’s background in astronomy and roles at UTEC and Mitsubishi Corporation to support founders tackling complex challenges. Since its founding, ANRI has backed entrepreneurs from early rounds through later stages, helping to bring technical innovation to market.
ANRI concentrates on pre-seed through Series B rounds, backing companies in software and technical manufacturing. On the software side, the firm evaluates applications in areas such as SaaS, eGames, digital marketing tools and human resources platforms. Its technical portfolio spans fields including robotics, industrial manufacturing, biotechnology, and health technology. This balanced approach reflects a commitment to supporting teams that can introduce advances in both digital services and physical products.
Clean technology and energy storage investments form a significant part of ANRI’s work under Sameshima’s leadership. The firm led the pre-seed round for EX-Fusion, a company developing laser-driven nuclear fusion systems aimed at large-scale emissions-free power. In the battery sector, ANRI was the seed investor in Quino Energy, which is creating water-based organic flow batteries to offer safer, cost-effective options for grid storage. Sameshima also contributes to sustainable manufacturing as a board member at Elephantech Inc., where the focus is on low-carbon printed circuit board processes. Together, these investments demonstrate ANRI’s support for projects that aim to reshape how energy is produced, stored and delivered.
