KDDI launched a new business to support Japanese AI-related companies expanding into the United States and held a ceremony in San Francisco. For the first round, it selected 5 startups, including privately held companies with high valuations, and expects them to grow through future collaboration and investment.
KDDI launched a business to support Japanese AI startups entering the US market and held a ceremony in San Francisco. It has selected 5 companies for the first round, with the aim of promoting future collaboration and generating profits from the growth of its investees.
KDDI analyzed that many Japanese companies run out of funding because of local business practices despite having strong technologies. It regards the need to demonstrate a track record in the US market as a condition for attracting investment, and sees this as a factor preventing the emergence of privately held unicorns, prompting it to establish the support business.