Deepcore

Deepcore is a Tokyo-based incubator and venture capital firm that specializes in seed to early-stage investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technology startups. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate SoftBank Group, the firm generates financial returns by providing capital and hands-on operational support to emerging technology companies. The organization currently maintains a workforce of 21 to 50 employees and actively manages KERNEL, a dedicated collaborative community designed to connect AI engineers, academic researchers, and technology entrepreneurs to support early-stage development. To facilitate global deal sourcing and cross-border collaboration, Deepcore has established strategic partnerships with international accelerators like Hong Kong-based Zeroth.ai, while backing notable portfolio companies such as Engineer.AI in its initial non-Japanese transactions. The venture capital firm was officially founded in 2017 by former SoftBank investment head Katsumasa Niki.