Global Brain announces the launch of “KDDI Open Innovation Fund III”

Global Brain Corporation (“Global Brain”), a general partner of KDDI Open Innovation Fund (“KOIF”), announces the launch of its 3rd investment fund of the KOIF, “KDDI Open Innovation Fund III” (“KOIF-III”) together with KDDI Corporation (TYO: 9433, “KDDI”) with total commitment of JPY 20 billion (approx. USD 188 million).

KOIF-III will invest JPY 20 billion (approx. USD 188 million) on startups, looking ahead the changes caused by the 5G penetration, with innovative technologies or businesses over the next five years. KOIF-III will set up “Investment Program” designed for the areas that are increasingly important in the 5G era such as AI, IoT, data marketing, and will discover promising startups utilizing knowledge of networks, technologies and business with startups owned by Global Brain, KDDI and KDDI Group companies. Initially, we plan to set up the “Investment Program” of “ARISE analytics AI Fund Program”, “SORACOM IoT Fund Program”, “Supership DataMarketing Fund Program” together with the three KDDI group companies ARISE analytics, SORACOM and Supership.

As a general partner of KOIF-III, Global Blain will find promising startups, and make investment decisions, IPO support and diversified management support for the portfolio companies of KOIF-III.

With KOIF-III, promising startups will be able to develop a most effective growth strategy by using KDDI’s solid telecommunications business platform, extensive business know-how and customer base through collaboration with KDDI, and by utilizing diversified management support offered by Global Blain.

KDDI Open Innovation Fund III

Partnership Period

Until March 2028 (10 years)

Target company

A promising startup in the 5G era that co-creates business with the KDDI Group

Fund Size

JPY 20 billion (USD 188 million)

General Partner

Global Brain Corporation

KDDI Corporation

Founded

June 1984

Address

3-10-10, Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Makoto Takahashi (President, Representative Director)

Business

Telecommunication Business

Global Brain Corporation

Founded

January 1998

Address

10-11 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Yasuhiko Yurimoto (President & CEO)

Business

Venture Capital