MOL PLUS (MOL's CVC) Joins 'TIB CATAPULT,' an Initiative Promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

MOL PLUS Co., Ltd. (Representative: Takuya Sakamoto; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "MOL PLUS") has decided to participate in "TIB CATAPULT" (Note 1), a startup support project promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The company will join as a second-term member of the "Tokyo Logistics Co-Creation Cluster" (Representative/Secretariat: eiicon Corporation; hereinafter "Logistics Co-Creation Cluster," Note 2), a co-creation cluster within the logistics field of TIB CATAPULT.

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

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

MOL PLUS will continue to aim for the creation of new businesses that "add new value to the shipping industry and society" by creating synergies between the innovative ideas and technologies of startups and the resources of the MOL Group.

(Note 1) About TIB CATAPULT Starting in fiscal year 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been implementing the "Cluster Creation Project for Global Innovation" (commonly known as "TIB CATAPULT") to intensively support technology and industrial fields with high growth potential, using the "Tokyo Innovation Base" (TIB) innovation hub operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a starting point. This project supports "innovation clusters"—consortia of multiple entities such as large corporations and investors—in leveraging their respective strengths to foster global startups. Website: https://tibcatapult.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

(Note 2) Member Companies of the Tokyo Logistics Co-Creation Cluster [Table: First-term members: Sagawa Express, Spiral Innovation Partners, Seino Holdings, Mitsubishi Logistics. Second-term members: Iino Kaiun Kaisha, MOL PLUS, KDDI, Japan Post Capital, BIPROGY/Canal Ventures, Fuyo General Lease, Mercuria Investment, LOGISTEED.] *Company names are listed in Japanese alphabetical order.

Inquiries regarding this press release: MOL PLUS Co., Ltd. (HP: https://www.molplus.net/) Tel: 03-3587-7643 / E-mail: molplus@molgroup.com