Japan-based companies Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), Gree, Mitsubishi UFJ and NEC Biglobe have launched a corporate venturing fund to provide money to early-stage companies.

Japan-based companies Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), Gree, Mitsubishi UFJ and NEC Biglobe have launched a corporate venturing fund to provide money to early-stage companies.

News provider Nikkei said the fund would raise Y2bn ($26m) and invest Y10m per start-up involved in smartphone application development, internet advertising and social gaming.

Phone operator NTT has been active in corporate venturing through its NTT Investment Partners subsidiary; online games developer Gree set up its own fund earlier this year and internet portal…