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Japan’s NTT Docomo Ventures backs France-based Sunpartner

  • Andrew Woodman
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NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese telecom giant, has taken part in a EUR4 million ($4.7 million) round for Sunpartner Technologies, a French solar panel manufacturer.

Set up in 2008, Sunpartner specializes in Solar NETs (new energy technologies). Its flagship product is its photovoltaic Wysips technology, which effectively transforms any surface into solar panel, allowing it to generate its own power. The technology is used in signage, advertising, and windows as well as mobile devices, smart watches, and e-readers.

According to a release, the partnership with NTT Docomo Ventures comes as Solarpartner looks for Japanese firms that can integrate its Wysips technology into mobile phones and casings. The company also wants to open a office in Japan. The first products integrating Wysips technology will be launched later in 2015.

The extra financing will be used by the company to invest in further research and development surrouding Li-Fi (using visible light for wireless communication) and photovoltaic textile technologies.

NTT Docomo Ventures will also help the company to source other commercial partners in Japan. Sunpartner hopes to raise a total of EUR8 million by the second quarter of this year.

NTT DOCOMO Ventures operates the Docomo Innovation Fund and the NTT Investment Partners Fund, both of which are $100 million in size.

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