The new fund will back AI, robotics and digital technologies, with executives from its operating businesses involved in sourcing and developing investments.
Japan-based shipbuilding company Tsuneishi Group has launched a ¥1.01bn ($6.5m) corporate venture fund focused on digital, artificial intelligence and robotics technologies that can be deployed across its shipping and shipbuilding operations.
The 10-year TVC4 fund is the group’s fifth CVC vehicle. Tsuneishi Group, commercial ship manager Kambara Kisen and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding are limited partners, while Tsuneishi Capital Partners, the investment arm of Tsuneishi Group, will serve as general partner managing the fund.
The fund was legally established earlier this year in February and began accepting startup proposals through Japanese and English application channels on September 11.
Executives from Tsuneishi’s shipping, shipbuilding, environmental, trading and energy businesses will be directly involved in sourcing companies, assessing investments and working with portfolio businesses. The approach gives operating divisions a formal role in the investment and commercialisation process.
TVC4 will target digital transformation software and advanced technologies including AI and robotics, with particular interest in solutions that can be deployed across multiple Tsuneishi businesses. Startups may gain access to group facilities for demonstrations and commercial trials, as well as joint development and market entry support.
TVC4 follows three previous TVC funds and a separate TC1 vehicle, and extends Tsuneishi’s existing venture investment programme in Japan and overseas.
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Oishani Mitra
Oishani Mitra is the content manager for Global Corporate Venturing.
