EEI is a Japanese venture capital firm investing in the environment and energy sectors, which its own English site describes as the only Japanese venture capital firm focused exclusively on those sectors. It states three investment areas: Energy Transition (next-generation energy and decarbonization technologies), Mobility & Transportation (battery storage, EV infrastructure and community solutions) and Smart Society (digital technology for resource efficiency and climate adaptation). Its fourth and fifth funds are named イノベーション＆インパクト (Innovation & Impact) funds; the firm says it assesses impact and ESG achievement at the point of investment and monitors them afterwards, and states the belief Impact drives performance. In its July 2026 rebranding statement it said it intends to extend beyond its existing environment and energy focus into climate change adaptation and resilience, and that it works alongside founders from business conception through growth rather than providing capital alone.
300億円 (approx. JPY 30bn; the current flagship fund EEI 5号イノベーション＆インパクト投資事業有限責任組合, which the firm said on 15 July 2026 it is managing. The firm separately states a cumulative 690億円 across all funds since 2006 and about 180 investments, which is cumulative and not current AUM) AUM69/100 Power Score™2006 FoundedTokyo, Japan
代表取締役 (Representative Director); shown as President on the firm's English members page
Ryusuke Hayashi (林 隆介)
Head of Mobility Business Innovation / モビリティ事業創造室長
Firm Timeline
2006
株式会社環境エネルギー投資 is established on 3 March 2006; its founder Shuichiro Kawamura is its Representative Director.
2007
環境エネルギー1号投資事業有限責任組合 is formed in September 2007 at 35.0億円 (3.5 billion yen); the firm reports 18 portfolio companies for it.
2011
EEIクリーンテック投資事業有限責任組合 is formed in September 2011 at 60.7億円 (6.07 billion yen); the firm reports 39 portfolio companies for it.
2015
EEIスマートエナジー投資事業有限責任組合 is formed in April 2015 at 96.5億円 (9.65 billion yen); the firm reports 40 portfolio companies for it.
2018
EEI4号イノベーション＆インパクト投資事業有限責任組合 is formed in June 2018 at 152億円 (15.2 billion yen); Kyushu Electric Power invests in it as a strategic partner.
2022
EEI5号イノベーション＆インパクト投資事業有限責任組合 is formed in September 2022 at 300億円 (30 billion yen); the firm reports 34 portfolio companies for it as of December 2024.
2024
The Japan Investment Corporation for Carbon Neutrality (株式会社脱炭素化支援機構, JICN) decides on 5 July 2024 to invest in EEI Booster1号投資事業有限責任組合, a new fund being formed by the firm.
2026
The firm carries out a corporate rebranding announced on 15 July 2026, renewing its logo and corporate website at the twenty-year mark since its founding; the company name is unchanged. The announcement states 累計690億円を運用し約180社への投資を行ってきました (cumulative 69 billion yen managed and investment in approximately 180 companies).