Japan-based Aisin has extended its partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures to 2036 as it expands into investment areas such as healthcare and energy.
Japanese car parts manufacturer Aisin and venture services partner Pegasus Tech Ventures have doubled the size of their joint VC investment fund to $100m.
Aisin and Silicon Valley-based Pegasus formed the fund in 2018. It has since backed some 40 companies including autonomous driving software provider StradVision and AEye, a lidar system developer that went public in 2021.
The expansion means the partnership is set to run until 2036, aligning with Aisin’s medium and long-term strategic aims. It will seek to invest in areas such as artificial intelligence, mobility technology, robotics, energy and health technology.
“Over the past eight years, since 2018, we have built a trusted partnership with Pegasus,” said Aisin CEO Hiroshi Tsutsui, in a release.
“Based on the achievements we have made together, we are delighted to continue this journey through 2036. Through this fund expansion, we will strengthen our exploration in key areas such as physical AI and energy and healthcare technologies, and together with startups from around the world, create the future of mobility.”
Aisin is one of several Japanese corporates with funds managed by Pegasus, which also counts video game producers Sega and Bandai Namco, stock exchange operator Nikkei and conglomerate Sojitz among its partners in the country.
