Venture Capital Business
We invest extensively in promising startups. We focus particularly on ventures that are expected to create business synergies with NTT Group companies. The technical expertise gained through these investments is then fed back to the NTT Group, enhancing our collective capabilities.
Value Delivered to Clients
Leveraging established relationships
By capitalizing on our established relationships with financial institutions, we invest not only in key areas of focus for our group companies but also in new, non-core territories. We also connect our investees with group companies to support demonstration pilots and provide new business advice, thereby enhancing the value of these enterprises.
Aiming for both strategic and financial returns
As the sole financial entity within the NTT Group, we leverage insights from our extensive financial expertise and approximately 25 years of investment experience to evaluate investment opportunities that align with specific objectives. Our strategy integrates 'strategic returns'—focused on acquiring technological expertise and fostering collaboration—with 'financial returns' derived from the sale of equities, thus optimizing both aspects of our investment approach.
Investing in Emerging Deep Tech
In addition to investing in funds with definite time horizons, we also make direct investments, enabling us to seek returns from a long-term perspective. This approach allows us to invest in areas that require time to commercialize offerings and achieve collaboration, such as Deep Tech aimed at solving major social challenges.
Portfolio Overview
We have invested in a wide variety of startups with high growth potential.
Investments by Sector
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Investee Companies
Druva Technologies Pte. Ltd.
Druva Technologies provides integrated cloud services encompassing backup, secure file sharing, information leak prevention and compliance (eDiscovery-based).
https://www.druva.com/
Phizzle, Inc.
Phizzle offers integrated marketing services for sports fans by leveraging its proprietary CRM technology called "Fan Centric."
https://www.phizzle.com/
Wovn Technologies, Inc.
Wovn Technologies offers comprehensive solutions to localize websites and apps in multiple languages, covering translation, analysis, and ongoing improvement.
https://wovn.io/ja/
OTOBANK Inc.
OTOBANK specializes in creating and distributing audiobooks and other audio content and provides related solution services.
https://www.otobank.co.jp/Former Investee Companies
CollabNet, Inc.
CollabNet develops and sells the collaborative software development environment "CEE".
[Acquired by Vector Capital (US) in January 2014]
DocuSign, Inc.
DocuSign provides a cloud-based Document Transaction Management (DTM) platform.
[Listed on NASDAQ in April 2018]
One True Media
One True Media offers online video editing and distribution solutions with a sophisticated, easy-to-use GUI. These solutions are available under the consumer brand "One True Media" as well as the enterprise-focused brand "Spot Mixer", which enables the creation of online video advertisements.
[Acquired by The Walt Disney Company (US) in June 2012]
SilkRoad, Inc.
SilkRoad offers cloud-based talent management systems on a global scale, covering recruitment, candidate management, performance management, and employee development.
[Acquired by HighBar Partners (US) in September2021]
IMAGEMAGIC Inc.
IMAGEMAGIC develops dropshipping systems for custom-designed goods, provides related tools, and operates the design store "UPSOLD," a platform enabling users to easily merchandise their own designs.
[Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in March 2022]
Gaiax Co. Ltd.
Gaiax provides development and management services for social media platforms, including blogs and social media sites, and offers content moderation and social listening services.
https://www.gaiax.co.jp/
[Listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange Centrex in July 2005]
SHANON Inc.
SHANON provides a SaaS-based management system for a wide range of exhibitions, from medium-sized to Asia's largest trade shows, as well as company-sponsored private shows and recurring seminars.
The company offers a unique service specializing in conferences and seminars, distinguished by its industry-leading track record and diverse functionalities.
[Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in January 2017]
GMO Internet, Inc.
GMO Internet operates the Internet Provider Business, focusing primarily on Internet access, server rental, and domain registration services, alongside an Internet Advertising Media Business centered on Internet-based email advertising distribution services.
https://www.gmo.jp/
[Listed on JASDAQ in August 1999; moved to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section in February 2004; moved to the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section in June 2005]
GMO Payment Gateway Inc.
GMO Payment Gateway provides payment processing and related services to support merchants with non-face-to-face credit card transactions.
https://www.gmo-pg.com/
[Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in April 2005; moved to the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section in September 2008]
JBToB Co., LTD.
JBToB leverages its advanced data warehouse technology to develop business application software for constructing and analyzing databases that house customer-attribute-enriched POS data for the retail and distribution sectors.
https://jbtob.com/
[Acquired by Backs Group in December 2009]
DataStadium Inc.
DataStadium provides data analysis services for professional sports teams and distributes sports data across various media platforms, including portal sites, mobile phones, television, and magazines and newspapers.
https://www.datastadium.co.jp/
[Acquired by Hakuhodo DY Media Partners in May 2009]
FFRI, Inc.
FFRI develops and sells anti-malware software, leveraging its advanced malware analysis technology.
https://www.ffri.jp/en
[Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in September 2014] -
Investee Companies
DreamArts Corporation
DreamArts merges the latest internet technologies, content, and marketing strategies to deliver a wide array of IT solutions, including new Internet-based systems, consulting, content services, and marketing projects.
https://www.dreamarts.co.jp/Former Investee Companies
Blue Pumpkin Software, Inc.
Blue Pumpkin Software develops advanced workforce management software for call centers, automating telephone operator scheduling and significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
[Acquired by Witness Systems (US) in January 2005 and subsequently by Verint Systems (US) in May 2007]
Envivio, Inc.
Envivio develops and provides various video streaming systems based on the MPEG4* and H.264 Internet video streaming technologies.
* MPEG4 is a compression technology for audio and video data, including control data, and is part of the suite of international standards developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG).
[Listed on NASDAQ in April 2012; acquired by Ericsson in October 2015]
HENNGE K.K.
HENNGE develops and markets a comprehensive suite of products for enterprise cloud security based on server-side technology, primarily utilizing Linux.
[Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in October 2019]
Encourage Technologies Co., Ltd.
Encourage Technologies develops and sells software that manages system risks and human risks in IT system operations management.
https://www.et-x.jp/
[Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in December 2013]
Morpho, Inc.
Morpho develops and sells embedded software for digital image processing tailored to mobile devices.
https://www.morphoinc.com/
[Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in July 2011] -
Investee Companies
Chelsio Communications, Inc.
Chelsio Communications develops 10-Gigabit Ethernet chips and adapters specifically designed for data center applications. Their adapter products enable the integration of LAN, SAN, NAS (Network Attached Storage), and HPC (High Performance Computing) networks.
https://www.chelsio.com/Former Investee Companies
Cobalt Networks, Inc.
Cobalt Networks develops Internet appliance servers, equipped with a comprehensive suite of software for Internet and intranet applications. These servers are distinguished by their ultra-compact size, high performance, easy configuration, and affordability.
[Listed on NASDAQ in November 1999; acquired by Sun Microsystems (US) in November 2001]
Giganet, Inc.
Giganet provides data center networking solutions. Its systems, based on Virtual Architecture (VI) networks, facilitate the seamless integration of multiple servers without compromising processing power, ensuring high performance, reliability, and availability.
[Acquired by Emulex (US) in January 2001]
IronPort Systems, Inc.
IronPort Systems provides email messaging gateway products and related services.
[Acquired by Cisco Systems (US) in June 2007]
LGC Wireless, Inc.
LGC Wireless is a leading provider of in-building antenna solutions for the cellular systems market.
[Acquired by ADC Telecom (US) in October 2007]
Meru Networks, Inc.
Meru Networks develops and sells wireless infrastructure solutions based on the 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standard.
[Listed on NASDAQ in March 2010; acquired by Fortinet in July 2015]
nCircle Network Security, Inc.
nCircle Network Security develops and sells network vulnerability assessment and risk management systems for enterprises.
[Acquired by Tripwire (US) in March 2013]
NeoAccel, Inc.
NeoAccel develops and sells SSL-VPN gateways, which offer potential alternatives to existing VPN solutions. Their products utilize innovative proprietary software to eliminate application usage restrictions while delivering high performance and throughput.
[Acquired by VMware (US) in January 2011]
UNION COMMUNITY Co. Ltd.
UNION COMMUNITY develops and sells various optical fingerprint authentication devices. Their optical sensors can distinguish between authentic fingerprints and forged fingerprints made with materials such as paper, film, rubber, silicon, and gelatin.
[Listed on KOSDAQ in November 2016]
Terilogy Co., Ltd.
Terilogy is a network integrator that offers a wide range of hardware and software products tailored to market and customer needs, focusing on four key solutions: enterprise LAN/WAN, broadband access, security, and network management.
https://www.terilogy.com/
[Listed on JASDAQ in December 2004]
Plat'Home Co., Ltd.
Plat'Home develops, manufactures, and sells own-brand computers that run on various operating systems including open-source OS such as Linux and FreeBSD, as well as UNIX, BeOS, and Windows, along with computer-related products and peripherals.
https://www.plathome.co.jp/
[Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in July 2000] -
Investee Companies
Picarro, Inc.
Picarro develops, manufactures, and sells highly sensitive gas concentration analyzers for greenhouse and other gases, as well as isotope measurement devices for stable isotope ratio analysis, including food origin identification and other applications. The company also provides managed services for these systems.
https://www.picarro.com/
Rosnes Corporation
Rosnes specializes in module development, offering high-performance, high-resolution image sensors and camera modules, as well as embedded software development, image signal processing, and commissioned development services.
http://rosnes.jp/
Phi Microtech, Inc.
Phi Microtech is a fabless manufacturer that develops, manufactures, and sells high-frequency analog ICs for optical and wireless communications. The company possesses significant technical expertise, with a team that includes alumni of NTT research laboratories and the NTT Group, where they developed LSIs for NTT's optical communication networks, as well as seasoned professionals from the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries.
https://www.phi-micro.com/Former Investee Companies
Berkeley Design Automation, Inc.
Berkeley Design Automation provides EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software that significantly reduces the time required for SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) simulations while maintaining accuracy.
[Acquired by Mentor Graphics (US) in March 2014]
Cavium Networks, Inc.
Cavium Networks develops and sells the "OCTEON" series of multi-core communications processors and the "NITROX" series of security co-processors.
[Listed on NASDAQ in May 2007; acquired by Marvell Technology (US) in July 2018]
DiBcom, S.A.
DiBcom develops and sells tuner chips for mobile digital televisions (DTV).
[Acquired by Parrot (France) in September 2011]
eSilicon Corporation
eSilicon develops and sells tuner chips for mobile digital televisions (DTV).
The company is a horizontally integrated semiconductor manufacturer that designs and produces custom ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) entirely through a fabless operation.
[Acquired by Inphi (US) in November 2019]
Quantenna Communications, Inc.
Quantenna Communications develops high-end next-generation Wi-Fi chips.
[Acquired by ON Semiconductor (US) in March 2019]
Sidense Corporation
Sidense develops high-end next-generation Wi-Fi chips. Additionally, the company develops and sells intellectual property for own-designed embedded non-volatile memory. Their technology enables the integration of NVM functionality into CMOS SoCs without the need for additional masks.
[Acquired by Synopsys (US) in October 2017]
Sandburst Corp.
Sandburst develops and sells the HIBEAM chipset for large-scale switches.
[Acquired by Broadcom (US) in March 2006]
Tilera Corporation
Tilera is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer that develops high-performance, low-power multicore processors. Its processors are utilized in infrastructure equipment, including enterprise networks, cloud computing, multimedia, and wireless base stations, which require high-speed processing and low energy consumption.
[Acquired by EZchip Semiconductors (Israel) in July 2014]
Acrorad Co., Ltd.
Acrorad has developed unique technology capable of mass-producing cadmium telluride (CdTe) compound semiconductors, making it the only company in the world with this capability.
https://www.acrorad.co.jp/
[Acquired by Siemens (Germany) in January 2011]
OXIDE Corporation
OXIDE develops and manufactures oxide-based optical single crystals and devices, which boast unprecedented advanced properties, as well as their associated modules.
[Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in April 2021]
KST WORLD CORP.
KST World provides a wide range of silicon wafer film formation services, primarily focusing on thin and thick film processes through thermal oxidation.
[Acquired by SEIREN in February 2019]