Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' CVC (MOL PLUS) Participates in Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "TIB CATAPULT"

MOL PLUS Co., Ltd. (Representative: Takuya Sakamoto, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as "MOL PLUS") has decided to participate in the startup support program "TIB CATAPULT" promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. MOL PLUS will participate as a second-term member company of the "Tokyo Logistics Co-Creation Cluster" (Lead Operator/Secretariat: eiicon company, hereinafter referred to as the "Logistics Co-Creation Cluster"), a co-creation cluster in the logistics field within TIB CATAPULT.

The Logistics Co-Creation Cluster aims to solve structural challenges facing the logistics industry and create the next generation of de facto standards. It is a project where logistics companies, investment institutions, and startups collaborate to create new businesses and implement them in society.

In recent years, the logistics industry has faced challenges such as labor shortages and the need to reduce environmental impact, which are difficult for individual companies to solve. As the corporate venture capital arm of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, MOL PLUS has been involved not only in investing in startups but also in "commercialization and social implementation" through collaboration with business divisions and support for demonstrations. MOL PLUS strongly resonates with the vision of "transforming logistics through co-creation" promoted by the Logistics Co-Creation Cluster and has decided to participate as a second-term member company. Moving forward, MOL PLUS will contribute to solving the challenges faced by the logistics industry and creating new value by promoting PoCs (Proof of Concepts) and demonstration experiments utilizing the business assets of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, as well as by providing mid-to-long-term growth support and strategic investment to startups.

MOL PLUS will continue to aim for the creation of new businesses that generate synergy between the innovative ideas and technologies of startups and the resources of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, thereby "adding new value to the shipping industry and society."

(Note 1) About TIB CATAPULT The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, starting from the innovation hub "Tokyo Innovation Base" (TIB) operated by the government, is implementing the "Cluster Creation Project for Global Innovation Challenge" (commonly known as "TIB CATAPULT") from FY2024 to intensively support fields with high growth potential in technology and industry. This project supports the nurturing of global startups by "Innovation Clusters," which are consortia of multiple businesses including large corporations and investors, leveraging their respective strengths. Website: https://tibcatapult.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/