Japan's TDK sets up VC arm, $50m fund

TDK Ventures will target companies in materials, including organic materials, energy, and other areas it considers under underinvested by venture capital such as magnetics, piezoelectrics, dielectrics, semiconductors, microelectromechanical systems and neuro-electricals. Portfolio start-ups will receive technical and marketing support as well as branding mentorship from TDK. 

Nicolas Sauvage, a director at TDK focused on tech ecosystem relations with more than 20 years of industry experience, will take up the role of managing director of the new VC. The parent company said it would build a team with an emphasis on experience and investment capability related to corporate venture capital and global start-up collaboration.

The plan is to advance segments such as health and wellness, next-generation transportation, robotics, industrials, mixed reality, and internet-of-things. “The investments made by TDK Ventures will bring new, powerful, transformative business opportunities to TDK,” Shigenao Ishiguro, president and CEO of TDK Corporation, said in a statement.

Japan’s longstanding large-cap corporations, especially those in the traditional electronics manufacturing space, are pivoting their business models toward more digital and advanced technologies. The development has largely been seen as a driver of M&A through non-core divestments but also a new source of funding and exits for the emerging start-up ecosystem.

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• Topics
• North Asia
• Venture
• Fundraising
• GPs
• Industrials
• Technology
• Japan