RYODEN Invests in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I," Formed by a World-Leading Accelerator
RYODEN Co., Ltd. has decided to invest in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I," established by Plug and Play Japan K.K. RYODEN launched its new business creation team "FRontier Base" in January 2025, and this investment follows its investment in the "OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund" in July 2024. The fund is estimated to be JPY 6.15 billion and will invest in domestic and international startups in Deeptech, AI, Sustainability, SaaS, DX, and FinTech sectors. RYODEN aims to strengthen its existing businesses and create new ventures in areas like smart agriculture and healthcare by leveraging Plug and Play's global network.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:10
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RYODEN Co., Ltd. has decided to invest in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I," established by Plug and Play Japan K.K., a Japanese subsidiary of the global accelerator Plug and Play. RYODEN is focusing on developing new businesses in growth areas, having launched "FRontier Base" as a Future and Innovation Creation Team in January 2025 to create new businesses beyond existing frameworks. This strategic fund investment follows RYODEN's investment in the "OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund" in July 2024. By utilizing the broad network of Plug and Play, a world's largest accelerator, RYODEN aims to achieve:
1. Access to a global startup network: Early discovery of startups with advanced technologies (AI, robotics, climate change countermeasures) both domestically and internationally, strengthening collaboration with RYODEN's core areas like FA systems, heating/cooling, building systems, and devices to enhance and increase profitability of existing businesses.
2. Building a joint ecosystem with large corporate partners: Establishing connections with partner companies across various industries participating in Plug and Play's network, promoting diversified business creation through open innovation. Exploring and nurturing next-generation business models in peripheral areas RYODEN focuses on, such as smart agriculture and healthcare.
3. Implementing solutions for social issues through "FRontier Base": Positioning "FRontier Base" as an innovation hub to organically combine external agility and optimal resources, thereby accelerating the creation of new businesses contributing to solving social issues and leading the realization of a sustainable future.
Plug and Play Japan Fund I Details:
Name: Plug and Play Japan Fund I
Investment Targets (Domestic - approx. 80%): Deeptech, AI, Sustainability, SaaS, DX, FinTech startups.
Investment Targets (Overseas - approx. 20%): Startups in cutting-edge fields, planning/hoping to expand into the Japanese market.
Total Fund Size: Estimated JPY 6.15 billion.
Operation Period: 10 years (with an option to extend for up to 2 years).
About Plug and Play Japan K.K.: Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is the world's largest innovation platform. It has over 60 locations worldwide, supports innovation for over 550 large corporations, and invests in over 250 startups annually. Plug and Play Japan K.K. was established in 2017 as the Japanese branch. It provides comprehensive support to large corporate partners, government agencies, and local authorities, from startup scouting and trend research to innovation strategy and business commercialization. Its representative is Vincent Philipp, and it is located at 1F Shibuya Dogenzaka Tokyu Building, 1-10-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
About RYODEN Co., Ltd.: RYODEN was established on April 22, 1947, with its headquarters at Kojimachi Kosaido Building 10F, 5-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083. Its representative is Katsuyuki Tomizawa, President and CEO. Its core businesses include FA systems, heating/cooling building systems, and electronics. It is expanding into smart agriculture, medical IT, and decarbonization.
1. Access to a global startup network: Early discovery of startups with advanced technologies (AI, robotics, climate change countermeasures) both domestically and internationally, strengthening collaboration with RYODEN's core areas like FA systems, heating/cooling, building systems, and devices to enhance and increase profitability of existing businesses.
2. Building a joint ecosystem with large corporate partners: Establishing connections with partner companies across various industries participating in Plug and Play's network, promoting diversified business creation through open innovation. Exploring and nurturing next-generation business models in peripheral areas RYODEN focuses on, such as smart agriculture and healthcare.
3. Implementing solutions for social issues through "FRontier Base": Positioning "FRontier Base" as an innovation hub to organically combine external agility and optimal resources, thereby accelerating the creation of new businesses contributing to solving social issues and leading the realization of a sustainable future.
Plug and Play Japan Fund I Details:
Name: Plug and Play Japan Fund I
Investment Targets (Domestic - approx. 80%): Deeptech, AI, Sustainability, SaaS, DX, FinTech startups.
Investment Targets (Overseas - approx. 20%): Startups in cutting-edge fields, planning/hoping to expand into the Japanese market.
Total Fund Size: Estimated JPY 6.15 billion.
Operation Period: 10 years (with an option to extend for up to 2 years).
About Plug and Play Japan K.K.: Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is the world's largest innovation platform. It has over 60 locations worldwide, supports innovation for over 550 large corporations, and invests in over 250 startups annually. Plug and Play Japan K.K. was established in 2017 as the Japanese branch. It provides comprehensive support to large corporate partners, government agencies, and local authorities, from startup scouting and trend research to innovation strategy and business commercialization. Its representative is Vincent Philipp, and it is located at 1F Shibuya Dogenzaka Tokyu Building, 1-10-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
About RYODEN Co., Ltd.: RYODEN was established on April 22, 1947, with its headquarters at Kojimachi Kosaido Building 10F, 5-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083. Its representative is Katsuyuki Tomizawa, President and CEO. Its core businesses include FA systems, heating/cooling building systems, and electronics. It is expanding into smart agriculture, medical IT, and decarbonization.