B Dash Ventures is creating a 20 billion yen startup fund with Nomura Holdings (TYO:8604), enabling individuals to invest in startups using digital security tokens for the first time in Japan, Nikkei reported Tuesday.

The partnership aims to channel a share of Japan's $12.8 trillion in personal assets into VC-backed risk capital, according to the report.

The 10-year fund will draw 8 billion yen from retail participants through tokens, distributed on a blockchain platform built by Boostry, backed by Nomura Holdings. The tokens are structured by its units including Nomura Asset Management and Nomura Trust and Banking, the report said.

The fund will invest an average of 500 million yen per deal across 25-30 early -- to growth-stage startups, and prioritizing deep tech such as battery materials and university spinoffs. The remaining 12 billion yen will include capital from SME Support Japan, according to the report.

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