Geodesic Capital is a cross-border venture capital firm founded in 2015 with headquarters in Silicon Valley. The firm specializes in supporting U.S.-based technology startups as they expand into Japan, with a mission rooted in strengthening the U.S.–Japan strategic alliance through innovation and investment.
Geodesic Capital invests in early- to growth-stage startups across sectors critical to national security and economic resilience.
Its key areas of focus include:
The firm backs U.S. companies that have high potential to scale internationally, particularly into the Japanese market.
In June 2025, Geodesic Capital announced the first close of the Geodesic Alliance Fund, raising $250 million. This is the firm's latest and largest fund to date, bringing total capital raised since inception to nearly $1 billion.
The fund is centered on advancing U.S.–Japan cooperation through targeted investments in strategic technologies. It will primarily invest in early-stage startups working on innovations that serve both commercial and national defense applications.
In addition to capital, the fund provides founders with strategic introductions to customers, regulators, and hiring pipelines in Japan. Limited partners include leading Japanese corporations and governmental entities, reflecting the fund's bilateral focus.
Leadership
Geodesic Capital was co-founded by John Roos, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, who continues to serve as a General Partner. The firm’s leadership team includes seasoned investors and operators with backgrounds in government, national security, and global expansion.
The new fund is spearheaded by Tom Gillespie and Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka, both with deep experience in national security and dual-use technologies.
Investment Strategy
The Geodesic Alliance Fund is designed as a platform for cross-border venture capital. The strategy goes beyond capital deployment, including regulatory navigation, strategic mentorship, and on-the-ground support for U.S. startups expanding into Japan.
The firm’s approach prioritizes technologies that can serve both civilian and defense markets and that align with long-term Indo-Pacific resilience goals.
By pairing venture-scale financial returns with diplomatic and industrial alignment, Geodesic offers a differentiated thesis for both founders and LPs.
Notable Investments
Geodesic Capital has backed several high-growth technology companies, all of them operate in fields relevant to both commercial and national security interests:
These companies have benefitted from Geodesic’s support in entering and scaling within the Japanese market.
