World Innovation Lab

World Innovation Lab (WiL) is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and operating from both the United States and Japan. Its stated strategy combines growth-stage investment in technology companies with practical support for cross-border expansion - particularly entry into the Japanese market, where the firm connects portfolio companies with corporate and government investors for customer introductions and commercial partnerships.

As of June 2022, WiL reported more than $1.9 billion in cumulative committed capital, with an additional $1 billion or more in commitments announced that month across its investment vehicles. Beyond direct company investments, the firm invests in venture funds and provides corporate innovation services, including executive development, joint ventures, spinouts and corporate venture capital (CVC) programmes. Its stated areas of focus span technology, health, climate and sustainability.

Two features of the model stand out. First, the firm's investor base - corporates and government entities - doubles as a distribution channel for portfolio companies seeking market entry, making relationship-building a core part of how value is delivered after the initial investment. Second, the practice of investing in venture funds as well as directly in companies gives WiL exposure to both sides of the venture ecosystem. The combination is consistent with a cross-border growth-stage mandate in which access to commercial counterparties, rather than capital alone, is the differentiating input.