The Growth Rocketship: How Rakuten Capital Masters Diplomatic Capitalism

The corporate venture capital arm of Rakuten Group, Rakuten Capital invests in innovative startups across fintech, AI, and other high-growth sectors. Since its founding in 2014, Rakuten Capital has invested in companies like Lyft, Pinterest, Careem, and Upstart, establishing itself as a distinctive force in corporate venture investing.

In this episode of Connected With Latham, Haim Zaltzman, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Emerging Companies & Growth Practice, sits down with Saemin Ahn, Managing Partner of Rakuten Capital and Executive Officer of Rakuten Group, to discuss Rakuten Capital’s investment thesis, its approach to AI infrastructure and energy, and the art of diplomatic capitalism.

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