Nippon Thompson, whose 'IKO' brand moves global industries, joins Cross Capital to deepen global co-creation
Precision machinery parts manufacturer Nippon Thompson has joined 'Cross Capital,' a Fund of Funds specializing in open innovation. The company aims for global co-creation by fusing its manufacturing technology with the advanced technologies of overseas startups.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 10:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 20:41 (298h 10m after Collected)
Cross Capital Pte. Ltd. (Representatives: Takaki Nakamura, Fuhito Takashima) is pleased to announce that Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. has newly joined its Fund of Funds, 'Cross Capital I Limited Partnership (CC1),' which specializes in supporting open innovation implementation for operating companies, in addition to the seven existing LPs. This brings the total number of participating companies in CC1 to eight.
**■ Background and Purpose of Participation**
Since achieving the in-house development of Japan's first needle roller bearings in the 1950s, Nippon Thompson has continued to pursue 'unique and original technology that cannot be imitated.' Its products, ranging from semiconductor manufacturing equipment requiring nanometer-level precision to medical robots and giant industrial machinery, have supported the foundation of 'movement' in modern society.
The company's world-leading precision processing technology and long-cultivated expertise in friction control are the crystallization of Japan's 'monozukuri' (manufacturing craftsmanship). As an 'unsung hero' that accelerates industrial evolution behind the scenes, it has earned the trust of sites around the world.
Currently, the company is in the midst of a major transformation under its long-term management vision, 'IKO VISION 2030.' In response to societal changes such as the rise of AI and autonomous robots and the realization of carbon neutrality, the company has positioned the 'promotion of open innovation' as a key strategy in its Medium-Term Management Plan 2026 to deliver 'new value' beyond the framework of existing hardware.
Cross Capital provides an infrastructure that connects the advanced technologies of overseas startups to Japanese operating companies through its strong network with top-tier VCs worldwide, offering end-to-end support from Proof of Concept (PoC) to business implementation.
Through this participation, we aim to co-create offerings that go beyond mere parts supply by fusing Nippon Thompson's proud mechanical technology and real data from manufacturing sites with the 'next-generation technologies such as AI, sensors, and autonomous control' of startups.
**■ Message from Mr. Mikito Hosono, President and CEO of Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.**
'As a 'technology development company that contributes to society,' our group has pursued uniqueness and creativity by responding to the diverse and advanced needs of our customers. As needs diversify on a global scale, including automation, labor-saving, and environmental responses, open innovation that incorporates innovative external knowledge is indispensable for our group's sustainable growth. We are confident that our partnership with Cross Capital, which is deeply versed in the global startup ecosystem and provides hands-on support up to commercialization, will be a powerful engine to accelerate our group's challenges in new technologies and new fields.'
**■ Comment from Cross Capital Co-Founder CEO Nakamura**
'We are truly honored to have Nippon Thompson, with its world-class precision processing technology, join us. From an overseas perspective, Japan's manufacturing technology and quality control standards are outstanding and are very attractive assets. On the other hand, accessing these assets and co-creating something has not been easy, and I believe this is an area where success stories have been slow to emerge in the context of open innovation. Especially in the case of B2B industrial parts, it is difficult...'
**■ Background and Purpose of Participation**
Since achieving the in-house development of Japan's first needle roller bearings in the 1950s, Nippon Thompson has continued to pursue 'unique and original technology that cannot be imitated.' Its products, ranging from semiconductor manufacturing equipment requiring nanometer-level precision to medical robots and giant industrial machinery, have supported the foundation of 'movement' in modern society.
The company's world-leading precision processing technology and long-cultivated expertise in friction control are the crystallization of Japan's 'monozukuri' (manufacturing craftsmanship). As an 'unsung hero' that accelerates industrial evolution behind the scenes, it has earned the trust of sites around the world.
Currently, the company is in the midst of a major transformation under its long-term management vision, 'IKO VISION 2030.' In response to societal changes such as the rise of AI and autonomous robots and the realization of carbon neutrality, the company has positioned the 'promotion of open innovation' as a key strategy in its Medium-Term Management Plan 2026 to deliver 'new value' beyond the framework of existing hardware.
Cross Capital provides an infrastructure that connects the advanced technologies of overseas startups to Japanese operating companies through its strong network with top-tier VCs worldwide, offering end-to-end support from Proof of Concept (PoC) to business implementation.
Through this participation, we aim to co-create offerings that go beyond mere parts supply by fusing Nippon Thompson's proud mechanical technology and real data from manufacturing sites with the 'next-generation technologies such as AI, sensors, and autonomous control' of startups.
**■ Message from Mr. Mikito Hosono, President and CEO of Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.**
'As a 'technology development company that contributes to society,' our group has pursued uniqueness and creativity by responding to the diverse and advanced needs of our customers. As needs diversify on a global scale, including automation, labor-saving, and environmental responses, open innovation that incorporates innovative external knowledge is indispensable for our group's sustainable growth. We are confident that our partnership with Cross Capital, which is deeply versed in the global startup ecosystem and provides hands-on support up to commercialization, will be a powerful engine to accelerate our group's challenges in new technologies and new fields.'
**■ Comment from Cross Capital Co-Founder CEO Nakamura**
'We are truly honored to have Nippon Thompson, with its world-class precision processing technology, join us. From an overseas perspective, Japan's manufacturing technology and quality control standards are outstanding and are very attractive assets. On the other hand, accessing these assets and co-creating something has not been easy, and I believe this is an area where success stories have been slow to emerge in the context of open innovation. Especially in the case of B2B industrial parts, it is difficult...'