Takuma Terakubo (Uncovered Fund)

Overview

Takuma Terakubo is a Japanese venture capitalist and the CEO and General Partner of Uncovered Fund Inc., a Tokyo-based venture capital firm established in 2019. The fund primarily invests in early-stage startups across Africa and the Middle East, focusing on sectors such as fintech, mobility, retail, logistics, and climate tech. Terakubo has been instrumental in bridging Japanese investments with African and Middle Eastern markets, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering innovation and growth in these regions through strategic financial partnerships.

Recent Developments

August 2025: Uncovered Fund partnered with Monex Ventures to launch the Uncovered Monex Africa Investment Partnership (UMAIP), a $20 million fund aimed at investing in early-stage startups across Africa and the Middle East. This initiative will focus on sectors including finance, sustainability, mobility, and distribution. The fund aims to provide initial investments ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for startups, reserving half of its funds for follow-on rounds.
1. Monex Ventures and Uncovered Fund's partnership has marked a significant milestone, as Monex is one of Japan’s leading financial institutions. This collaboration is expected to enhance resources and connections for integration of African startups into Japan’s corporate ecosystem.
2. The fund targets high-growth sectors such as fintech, mobility (including EV solutions), retail, logistics, and climate tech (notably carbon credit solutions and renewable energy).
3. The fund also plans to leverage Japan’s low-interest rates to raise debt financing locally, particularly aiding fintech startups.
March 2024: Uncovered Fund held its annual Showcase Africa event in Japan, showcasing over 20 African startups to Japanese investors and corporations. The event aimed to foster collaborative partnerships between the regions and promote innovations in sectors such as automotive, logistics, financial services, and e-commerce. The conference, attended by major corporations like Toyota Tsusho and Mitsubishi, emphasized economic development and decarbonization.
2024: The firm continued to invest in key African startups, enhancing its portfolio to include emerging markets innovations, focusing on startups in Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt with scalable solutions.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Takuma Terakubo
Nationality	Japanese
Occupation	CEO and General Partner of Uncovered Fund Inc.
Known For	Venture Capitalist, African Investment
Education	Details not extensively covered publicly

Early Life and Education

Specific details of Takuma Terakubo’s early life and education are not widely publicized. However, he is credited with a background that combines a keen interest in venture capitalism and a strategic focus on emerging markets. This background has positioned him well to leverage investment opportunities across Japan and Africa, fostering growth in developing markets through financial acumen and strategic partnerships.

Career and Notable Achievements

Takuma Terakubo began his career in venture capitalism with a focus on African startups. This strategic emphasis reflects his belief in the potential for growth and innovation across emerging markets.
2019: Founded Uncovered Fund Inc., aligning with a vision to support early-stage startups by addressing critical market gaps in Africa and the Middle East.
Uncovered Fund has successfully raised and launched several funds targeted at fostering entrepreneurship in these regions.
Under Terakubo's leadership, Uncovered Fund has invested in over 29 startups across 17 countries, focusing on sectors such as fintech, logistics, and e-commerce.
Key portfolio investments include logistics platform Gozem, automotive technology company Autochek, and fintech app Chari.

Current Work and Impact

Takuma Terakubo continues to lead Uncovered Fund as it navigates investment opportunities in high-potential African startups. The firm's recent collaboration with Monex Ventures for the UMAIP fund reflects an ongoing commitment to providing crucial financial backing to innovative startups addressing infrastructural needs in Africa and the Middle East. By bridging Japanese corporate expertise with African market opportunities, Terakubo is enhancing economic cooperation and technological advancements across regions. This has led to strengthened relationships between Japanese investors and the burgeoning African startup ecosystem, furthering socio-economic development and technological integration.

Conclusion

Takuma Terakubo's role as a catalyst in Japanese-African investment relations underscores significant progress in leveraging Asian financial expertise for African emerging markets. His continuing efforts with Uncovered Fund to support early-stage startups are dynamic efforts that promise sustained growth and innovation. This strategic vision implies a lasting impact on African entrepreneurship, aligning with a global shift toward diversified investments in regions with transformative potential. Terakubo is poised to remain a pivotal figure in facilitation and innovation, bridging geographic and financial landscapes for mutual growth.