Why Rakuten Capital: Interviews, Careers, & Portfolio

Rakuten Capital Overview

Rakuten Capital, founded by Saemin Ahn in 2014, serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Rakuten Group, a prominent global player in internet services headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Specializing in strategic investments, Rakuten Capital provides not only financial backing but also operational support to its portfolio companies across the globe.

With a robust investment portfolio spanning over 70 companies, Rakuten Capital has made significant investments in notable firms such as Careem, Carousell, GoTo, Lyft, Pinterest, and Upstart. 

These investments are facilitated through various dedicated funds under Rakuten Capital including:

• Rakuten Ventures
• Rakuten FinTech Fund
• Rakuten Global EC Fund
• Rakuten Mobility Investment
• Rakuten Strategic Investment

Rakuten Group provides a wide range of online and offline services, including e-commerce, travel, financial technology (FinTech), digital content, communications, credit cards, banking, securities, insurance, electronic money, and professional sports.

Through Rakuten Capital, they invest in and support startups globally, aiming to drive innovation and growth in these industries.

Rakuten Capital AUM

There is no available data regarding Rakuten Capital’s assets under management as of writing.

Rakuten Capital Interview Process & Questions

If you’re preparing for an interview at Rakuten Capital or a similar firm, here’s what you can typically expect:

• Expect around 4-6 interview rounds.
• Initial interviews are often led by junior investment professionals or the HR team, with later rounds conducted by senior staff.
• The entire process typically spans several weeks, unless it’s part of “on-cycle” or “on-campus” recruiting.

Interviews at Rakuten Capital will cover a mix of fit, behavioral, and technical/investment-related questions. If you need help preparing for such interviews, feel free to use my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Why Rakuten Capital

“Why do you want to work here?” is a common and important interview question.

If you’ve connected with people from the firm, this is a good time to mention them and explain how they’ve impressed you.

It’s also smart to research the firm before your interview. One of the best ways to learn about it is by listening to interviews with its founders or investors.

Here’s a great interview with Saemin Ahn, Rakuten Capital’s founder:

More Interviews

• Saemin Ahn shares his advice for startups
• Capital On Stage interview with Rakuten Capital founder, Saemin Ahn

Rakuten Capital Case Study

During interviews, candidates typically encounter a case study, which firms use to evaluate technical expertise and communication skills.

At investment firms like Rakuten Capital, case studies often center on financial modeling and investment recommendations. For junior positions, there may also be a cold-calling case study involved.

Check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide if you need help getting ready for case studies.

Rakuten Capital Salary & Compensation

According to Glassdoor, analysts and associates at Rakuten Capital have (median) salaries of $113K and $102K per year, respectively. Figures may vary depending on several factors such as experience, location, education, and more.

Analyst

Associate

Rakuten Capital Careers, Jobs, & Internships

You may find current job openings at Rakuten Capital and similar firms on our job board where we list investing roles at top growth and VC firms.

Rakuten Capital Portfolio & Investments

According to Crunchbase, Rakuten Capital has made 55 investments across one fund. Some of their notable deals include Petokoto, Baaz Bikes, and Airalo.

Notable Transaction: Leal

On March 31, 2022, Colombian consumer and fintech company Leal raised $10 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by Rakuten Capital, the venture capital arm of global internet services leader Rakuten Group, and IDC Ventures, a global fintech investment firm.

This funding will help Leal launch its co-branded credit card and expand operations in Mexico. 

Before COVID-19, many consumers in Latin America struggled financially and lacked access to banking services, which was worsened by the pandemic’s impact on social inequality, unemployment, and poverty in the region.

Leal’s cashback and rewards programs aim to help customers save money on everyday purchases.

The Series A funds will also support the development of Leal’s digital wallet ecosystem, aiming to provide more than just cashback benefits. This investment positions Leal for future growth, focusing on technology development in the coming year.

Next Steps

Before applying to Rakuten Capital and starting your investing career at their firm, I strongly suggest going through my Growth Equity Interview Guide first.

This self-paced resource is designed to prepare you for common interview topics like financial modeling and case studies. Start learning today to improve your chances of interview success!