Sumitomo Electric Industries and KDDI are among the backers of a newly launched Japan-based fund that will invest in robotics startups.
Japan-based electrical component producer Sumitomo Electric Industries and telecommunications company KDDI committed money to a $42m fund aimed at robotics startups yesterday.
The Keihanna ATR fund was established by Japanese research organisation Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International and venture capital firm Nippon Venture Capital.
Financial services providers Shinsei Bank and Kyoto Bank also contributed capital to the fund.
Keihanna ATR will support startups in the Kansai region – the second largest urban area after Tokyo and pictured above in dark…