Zürich, Switzerland: Emerald Technology Ventures announced Friday that Japan’s Murata, a major producer of electrical components, has joined Emerald’s flagship industrial innovation fund as a limited partner. This marks the pioneering venture capital (VC) firm’s sixth tie-up in Japan, where the industrial sector is pursuing aggressive sustainability goals.
Murata has set bold environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 (compared with 2019 levels) and boosting its use of renewable energy, recycling and sustainable resources like water, metal and plastic materials. Through the synergy between Emerald’s expertise in industrial innovation and Murata’s accumulated technological prowess, Murata aims to achieve its sustainability targets and create future-ready business models. Murata plans to invest strategically in order to acquire new technologies, implement risk measures to ensure healthy growth, and solve environmental problems via co-creation with collaborators.
Emerald’s Japan footprint has grown rapidly in recent years, including a partnership with technology leader Nabtesco and a membership at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)’s first Asia outpost in Tokyo. Propelled by the country’s strong commitment to sustainability, Emerald is quickly broadening its engagement with the Japanese corporate world.
“Murata is progressing rapidly in its sustainability plan and we look forward to opening new doors for them in advanced materials, renewable energy, recycling and much more,” says Emerald managing partner Gina Domanig.