KDDI Open Innovation Fund announces investments in Moxtra Inc, which helps to improve work efficiency for private and business users through data-sharing and collaboration, and Plumzi Inc, a startup which develops an app for intellectual education through the secondary use of video contents.

In order to create new user experiences utilizing smart devices, KDDI Open Innovation Fund is proactively seeking and funding outstanding venture companies in the areas of a) Commerce (e.g., EC, O2O, gifts, photo books, etc.) b) Contents (media, intellectual education, games, etc.), c) Service (English conversation, taxi ordering, etc.) and d) Solutions (analysis tools, etc.).

These latest investments in Moxtra and Plumzi mean that the KDDI Open Innovation Fund, established in February of 2012, now

Overview of Moxtra

Moxtra makes it possible to share all kinds of data files including presentation material, photos, videos and songs via the cloud with specific members and add audio or written notes to the shared data. Data is managed per binder, therefore the user is able to select which members to share with for each binder individually. Moxtra also offers an online calling feature so members with whom certain data has been shared can converse with each other.
Moving forward, Moxtra plans to promote their service by targeting consumers, prosumers and business users in global markets including Japan.

Company name: Moxtra Inc

Location: California, USA

CEO: Subrah Slyar

Founded: May, 2012

Operations: Provides the data-sharing and collaboration service “Moxtra”

URL: http://www.moxtra.com/

Overview of Plumzi

Plumzi adapts video contents into an intellectual education app and offers consumers an interactive experience.
By utilizing a production tool which breaks down existing contents, such as animated television episodes, into video, graphic and audio files, etc., then reconfigures them as “Active Episodes”, Plumzi makes it possible to develop intellectual educational contents in a short period of time as well as provides the right holder with a chance at secondary use of their contents.
Moving forward, Plumzi plans to exploit contents from global markets including Japan, and offer consumers interactive video.

Company name: Plumzi Inc

Location: California, USA

CEO: Guillaume Cohen

Founded: February, 2012

Operations: Development and sales of video contents for intellectual education

URL: http://signup.plumzi.com/

Overview of the KDDI Open Innovation Fund

Name: KDDI Open Innovation Fund

Investment target: IT startup companies in Japan and overseas that collaborate with KDDI

Total investment: 5 billion yen

Managed by: Global Brain Corporation

Overview of Global Brain

Company name: Global Brain Corporation

Head Quarter: Nisshin Aoyama Bld. 9th Floor, 3-2-4 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

CEO: Yasuhiko Yurimoto

Founded: January 14, 1998

Operations: Venture capital

URL: http://globalbrains.co.jp/

KDDI Open Innovation Fund Invests in USA Data-Sharing Service Startup, Moxtra Inc, and Intellectual Education Provider, Plumzi Inc