Invite brief
- Hitachi launched a venture capital fund of $ 400 million, HV Fund IV, carrying its total CVC investments at $ 1 billion and focusing on quantum computer, AI, nuclear computer startups and other advanced technologies.
- The fund, managed by Hitachi Ventures, aims to identify disruptive technologies and support open innovation, with investments in digital and industrial strategic sectors.
- Hitachi Ventures is currently managing a portfolio of 38 startups, half already collaborating with the Hitachi commercial units, and the new fund should start operations on April 1.
Hitachi extends its venture capital imprint with a new $ 400 million fund targeting quantum, nuclear merger, AI and other advanced technologies, a decision that increases its total venture capital investments ( CVC) $ 1 billion.
The last fund, HV Fund IV, is the largest CVC fund managed by Hitachi to date. It will focus on startups positioned to create or disturb the main markets, especially in emerging digital and industrial sectors. The company aims to accelerate open innovation and contribute to the world ecosystem of startups, according to to the declaration of the company.
Keiji Kojima, president and chief executive officer of Hitachi, Ltd., underlined the role of external partnerships in the rhythm of technological changes, according to the declaration.
“Hitachi’s efforts in CVC, which started in 2019 with $ 150 million, extended $ 1 billion in five years, pulled in part by the disruptive innovation caused by generator,” said Kojima. “With technological trends that move at an unprecedented speed, it is important to identify the next world change point while taking advantage of the external ecosystem in addition to developing advanced technologies thanks to R&D, for a more in -depth growth in social innovation activity. “
The fields of intervention of the fund cover advanced digital technologies, in particular industrial AI, data centers and the future of work, alongside emerging scientific borders such as bio-engineering, quantum IT and Spatial technologies.
Toshiaki Tokunaga, who will assume the role of executive director representative of Hitachi, president and chief executive in April, led the fund as a strategic pillar of the company’s next growth phase.
“As part of the next mid-term management plan currently being formulated, Hitachi will accelerate its progress towards becoming a world leader in social innovation activities by realizing a real Hitachi ” with digital basis “Said Tokunaga said in the press release. “In this context, strengthening our ability to anticipate the world change and the addition of this new CVC fund to seek the next technological trend beyond the AI generation, there are important steps to achieve sustainable growth. Thanks to our CVC, we will continue to embody “the pioneer spirit” inherited from our founder, Namihei Odaira, and to create new growth opportunities jointly with startups around the world. »»
Hitachi VenturesThe company’s CVC arm was created in 2019 and now manages a portfolio of 38 companies. About half of these startups are already collaborating with the Hitachi commercial units. The company’s portfolio includes Makersite, an information cycle of the life cycle of products using AI for the decision -making of the supply chain; Captura, specializing in engineering carbon dioxide elimination technology; And Archetype AI, whose physical model of the AI Physics, Newton, helps developers in the construction of solutions with real sensor data.
Stefan Gabriel, CEO and CEO of Hitachi Ventures, said the new fund would focus on investment in strategic and technical relevance for Hitachi companies.
“We are very grateful to the trust and the support of Hitachi leaders committing a fourth Hitachi venture fund,” Gabriel said in the press release. “While going beyond our AUM at 1 billion USD, Hitachi Ventures will be able to maintain the speed of business investment in future changes in rapidly evolving growth markets in the coming regions that create strategic and technical relevance for Hitachi companies. With our minority investments, we help to combine agility, entrepreneurial spirit and the speed of startups with the global scope of industry, trusted expertise and Hitachi’s financial strength. This will considerably speed up the transition from Hitachi and its customers in their transformation course and will help create and develop businesses, collaborate and innovate with certain unicorns of tomorrow. »»
The HV Fund IV will start operations on April 1, 2025. The fund will be managed by Hitachi Ventures GmbH, with advisory offices in Munich, Palo Alto and Boston.
According to the company, Hitachi increases its social innovation activities by integrating data and technology to stimulate sustainable development. The company operates in three main sectors: digital systems and services, which supports digital transformation for customers; Green energy and mobility, focused on decarbonization efforts in energy and rail; and Connective Industries, which improves industrial connectivity through digital solutions. These efforts are supported by Lumada, the continuation of IT and Hitachi’s operational technology solutions.
For the financial year ending on March 31, 2024, Hitachi declared a turnover of the sector of 8,564.3 billion yen – around 56.5 billion dollars (United States). The company operates 573 consolidated subsidiaries and employs around 270,000 people worldwide.