Investment Scope & Criteria

Investment Scope

We focus on investing in startups related to four areas in order to realize “A Sustainable Future”.

Sustainable food production

  • SDGs 2 ZERO HUNGER
  • SDGs 14 LIFE BELOW WATER
  • SDGs 15 LIFE ON LAND

Food security is being threatened, with an increase in food demand accompanying population growth, as well as depletion of natural resources, a decline in the number of primary industry workers, and an increase in natural disasters.
We aim to realize a society in which we can all enjoy safe and plentiful food, and in addition to our strengths in machinery related to agricultural production, we invest in technologies across the supply chain, from biotechnology to food upcycling, etc.

Global warming measures

  • SDGs 7 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
  • SDGs 13 CLIMATE ACTION

Human development since the industrial revolution has been supported by the convenience of portable energy from fossil fuels. However, this has threatened the sustainability of the global environment, including an increase in natural disasters due to global warming.
In order for us to live in an energy-saving society, we are investing in technologies that contribute to measures against global warming from alternative fuels, energy production and storage technologies, to reducing the generation of greenhouse gases.

Labor saving

  • SDGs 3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • SDGs 8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
  • SDGs 9 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The growth of labor supplies due to population growth will continue globally, but with the shift in industrial structure there will also be a labor supply and demand gap in primary and secondary industries that utilize the blessings of nature.
We invest in technologies that contribute to enhanced occupational security and a society where people can work and live with peace of mind, in industries that return the blessings of nature back to society.

Improving user experience

  • SDGs 4 QUALTY EDUCATION
  • SDGs 8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

As can be seen in the sharing economy, humanity is shifting its values from possessions to experiences. The use of technology is also spreading the possibilities of improved human productivity.
We invest in technologies that contribute to improving customer experience in areas such as sports, etc., and that transfer skills and improve workability in primary and secondary industries towards the realization of a society that offers an exciting life filled with rich and fulfilling experiences.

Stages

We mainly invest in early-stage startups due to our focus on supporting startups to grow and for co-creation with us.

Stages figure

Investment Thesis

In addition to quantitative evaluation,
we are introducing qualitative investment evaluation criteria to support startups that potentially returns to society.

  • Vision

    • Vision and motivation towards the realization of a sustainable society
    • Impact of changing society
  • Team Structure

    • Diversity
    • Team composition
    • Expertise
    • Flexibility
    • Trust
  • Leading-Edge
    Technology

    • Originality
    • Development Road Map
    • Time to market
  • Value-Up Potential

    • Possibility of improving value through support
    • Possibility of co-creation with Yanmar Group