Gobi Partners has partnered with Japanese telecommunications company NTT to connect startups across Southeast Asia and Japan with enterprise technology opportunities.
The non-binding collaboration will explore opportunities to match emerging technology companies with NTT Group entities. It will focus on business validation and proof-of-concept initiatives.
This partnership combines the regional investment network of Gobi Partners with the digital infrastructure capabilities of NTT.
The two organisations aim to facilitate cross-border commercial engagements between startups, corporate enterprises, and public institutions across Japan and Southeast Asia, including selected initiatives in Malaysia.
“When we expanded into Japan, our ambition was never simply to establish a presence,”
said Thomas G. Tsao, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Gobi Partners.
“It was to build stronger relationships between Japan’s industrial and technological strengths and Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurial momentum.”
Gobi Partners expanded its Japanese presence in 2025 through its Global Network Partnership with East Japan Railway Company’s TAKANAWA GATEWAY Link Scholars’ Hub.
The firm has also established ties with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and Cross Capital. These relationships aim to strengthen cross-border investment and innovation between Japan and Southeast Asia.
Building on these networks, the NTT partnership will focus on testing and validating new technologies for commercial use.
The collaboration could provide opportunities for startups in Gobi Partners’ network to test solutions within Japan’s corporate sector.
“Innovation creates the greatest impact when startups and established enterprises work together to solve real business challenges,”
said Ken Katsuyama, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Business at NTT.
He added that the company looks forward to exploring opportunities that connect emerging technologies with enterprise needs while strengthening commercial ties across the two regions.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by Gobi Partners