The ecommerce services and software company plans to invest in five startups a year as it looks to build an ecosystem around its products.
Japan-based ecommerce software and services provider NE Corporation is forming a corporate venture unit to invest in startups which can be potential partners for its business.
NE said it will make direct investments in early-stage services and technology startups that can expand value by combining data, product and operational expertise and which could be business partners for the corporate in future.
The company also seeks startups with the potential to create an ecosystem around NE products – particularly Next Engine, its cloud-based inventory and ordering management system.
NE plans to provide funding for about five startups a year but will not immediately form a dedicated CVC fund. It is yet to announce its first early-stage investment.
