RYODEN Invests in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I" Formed by One of the World's Largest Accelerators
RYODEN Corporation has decided to invest in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I," established by Plug and Play Japan Inc., one of the world's largest accelerators. This investment is part of RYODEN's strategy to transform into an "Excellent Company that Co-creates the Future" by accelerating new business creation through global startup collaborations and open innovation.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 17:44 (126h 12m after Collected)
RYODEN Corporation has decided to invest in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I," established by Plug and Play Japan Inc. (hereinafter, "Plug and Play Japan"). Our company is committed to transforming into an "Excellent Company that Co-creates the Future," going beyond the traditional framework of a trading company, and focusing on developing new businesses in growth areas. In January 2025, we launched "FRontier Base," a Future and Innovation Creation Team, with the aim of creating new businesses unconstrained by existing frameworks. By integrating internal and external knowledge, we promote the acceleration of innovation.
### Purpose of this Investment
This investment is part of a strategic fund investment, following our investment in the "OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund*" in July 2024. By leveraging the extensive network of Plug and Play (hereinafter, "Plug and Play"), one of the world's largest accelerators, we aim to create the following values:
- Access to a global startup network
Early discovery of startups with cutting-edge technologies (AI, robotics, climate change countermeasures, etc.) both domestically and internationally, and strengthening collaboration with our strengths in FA systems, heating/cooling, building systems, and device domains, with a view to synergy. We aim to enhance and increase the profitability of existing businesses.
- Building a collaborative ecosystem with large corporate partners
Establishing connections with partner companies from diverse industries participating in the Plug and Play network, and promoting diversified business creation through open innovation that transcends industry boundaries. We will also explore and nurture next-generation business models in peripheral areas where our company focuses, such as smart agriculture and healthcare.
- Implementation of social problem solving through "FRontier Base"
Positioning "FRontier Base" as an innovation hub, organically combining external agility and optimal resources. This will accelerate the creation of new businesses that contribute to solving social issues and lead the realization of a sustainable future.
*OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund: A VC fund that collaborates with Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Lifetime Ventures to foster and invest in deep tech startups based on OIST's world-class research seeds.
### Overview of "Plug and Play Japan Fund I"
- Name: Plug and Play Japan Fund I
- Investment targets (domestic) *Expected to be 80% of the total: Deeptech, AI, Sustainability, SaaS, DX, FinTech, and other startups
- Investment targets (overseas) *Expected to be 20% of the total: Cutting-edge areas, startups planning/hoping to expand into the Japanese market
- Total fund size: Estimated 6.15 billion JPY
- Operation period: 10 years (with an option to extend up to 2 years)
### Comments from Stakeholders
**Vincent Philip, Representative Director, Plug and Play Japan Inc.**
We are delighted to welcome RYODEN Corporation as a partner in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I." RYODEN's vision of "An Excellent Company that Co-creates the Future" and our global innovation platform have a very high affinity. We are confident that by connecting startups worldwide with Japan's proud industrial base, we can accelerate new value creation and solve social issues. Through this partnership, we will further deepen co-creation with domestic and international startups alongside RYODEN, and expand Japan-born innovation globally.
**Shinji Inazawa, Senior Executive Officer, Head of Strategy Division, General Manager of Corporate Planning Office, RYODEN Corporation**
To realize our new vision, a transformation of our business portfolio and corporate culture is indispensable. We cannot achieve discontinuous growth in the future market merely by extending our traditional trading company business. This LP investment in Plug and Play Japan is a strong expression of the desire from "FRontier Base," born from the field, to "launch new businesses."
### Purpose of this Investment
This investment is part of a strategic fund investment, following our investment in the "OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund*" in July 2024. By leveraging the extensive network of Plug and Play (hereinafter, "Plug and Play"), one of the world's largest accelerators, we aim to create the following values:
- Access to a global startup network
Early discovery of startups with cutting-edge technologies (AI, robotics, climate change countermeasures, etc.) both domestically and internationally, and strengthening collaboration with our strengths in FA systems, heating/cooling, building systems, and device domains, with a view to synergy. We aim to enhance and increase the profitability of existing businesses.
- Building a collaborative ecosystem with large corporate partners
Establishing connections with partner companies from diverse industries participating in the Plug and Play network, and promoting diversified business creation through open innovation that transcends industry boundaries. We will also explore and nurture next-generation business models in peripheral areas where our company focuses, such as smart agriculture and healthcare.
- Implementation of social problem solving through "FRontier Base"
Positioning "FRontier Base" as an innovation hub, organically combining external agility and optimal resources. This will accelerate the creation of new businesses that contribute to solving social issues and lead the realization of a sustainable future.
*OIST - Lifetime Ventures Opportunity Fund: A VC fund that collaborates with Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Lifetime Ventures to foster and invest in deep tech startups based on OIST's world-class research seeds.
### Overview of "Plug and Play Japan Fund I"
- Name: Plug and Play Japan Fund I
- Investment targets (domestic) *Expected to be 80% of the total: Deeptech, AI, Sustainability, SaaS, DX, FinTech, and other startups
- Investment targets (overseas) *Expected to be 20% of the total: Cutting-edge areas, startups planning/hoping to expand into the Japanese market
- Total fund size: Estimated 6.15 billion JPY
- Operation period: 10 years (with an option to extend up to 2 years)
### Comments from Stakeholders
**Vincent Philip, Representative Director, Plug and Play Japan Inc.**
We are delighted to welcome RYODEN Corporation as a partner in "Plug and Play Japan Fund I." RYODEN's vision of "An Excellent Company that Co-creates the Future" and our global innovation platform have a very high affinity. We are confident that by connecting startups worldwide with Japan's proud industrial base, we can accelerate new value creation and solve social issues. Through this partnership, we will further deepen co-creation with domestic and international startups alongside RYODEN, and expand Japan-born innovation globally.
**Shinji Inazawa, Senior Executive Officer, Head of Strategy Division, General Manager of Corporate Planning Office, RYODEN Corporation**
To realize our new vision, a transformation of our business portfolio and corporate culture is indispensable. We cannot achieve discontinuous growth in the future market merely by extending our traditional trading company business. This LP investment in Plug and Play Japan is a strong expression of the desire from "FRontier Base," born from the field, to "launch new businesses."