Collaborate with NEC Innovation: Grow Together by Driving the Future of Technology

NEC is a global technology leader dedicated to orchestrating a brighter world through innovation. With over a century of expertise in IT and network technologies, NEC continues to pioneer advanced solutions in AI, biometrics, 5G, and beyond.

Through NEC Innovation CVC (Corporate Venture Capital), NEC is empowering visionary startups with strategic investment, collaborative development, and global scale—unlocking new frontiers in digital transformation.

NEC isn’t just an investor. It’s a long-term innovation partner.

Collaborating with Global Innovators

NEC has already partnered with global startups, research institutions, governments, and major enterprises. Through NEC X, NIC, and NOFF, NEC has collaborated with companies across the U.S., Japan, Europe, and beyond—helping founders enter new markets, validate product-market fit, and deliver real-world solutions at scale.

Startups benefit from co-branding with NEC’s trusted name, access to enterprise-grade customers, and collaboration with a company recognized as a global technology leader.

Target Investment Stage

NEC and NOFF invest across a wide range of stages:

• Seed
• Early
• Middle / Growth
• Later

Startups at all phases of development can find tailored support and strategic guidance from NEC’s global team.

Target Investment Area

Focus Area
Technologies and services related to:

• 5G/6G
• Smart Cities
• DX
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Digital Government / Digital Finance
• Carbon Neutrality

Target Geographies

Collaborating with Global Innovators

Through NEC X, NIC, and NOFF, NEC has collaborated with companies across:

• U.S.
• Japan
• Europe
• And beyond

Why NEC Open Innovation?

NEC connects startups with a 120+ year legacy of technology excellence, global business reach, and deep expertise in AI, IoT, 5G, biometrics, and data analytics. Partners gain access to not only world-class technologies and R&D assets, but also business networks across government, infrastructure, and enterprise sectors. NEC empowers innovators to scale globally by co-developing impactful solutions that serve society.

Co-Creation Creating Businesses Through Collaboration

• By combining the strengths and assets of startups, corporations, academia, and other diverse partners, NEC creates new businesses that generate social value.

Past Achievements

• Industry-Academia Collaboration with Tohoku University: Utilizing railway operator technology and digital twins to develop next-generation smart plants, aiming for safer and smarter chemical plant operations.

Total Co-Creation Cases

• Approx. 80 (April 2021 – December 2024)

Ongoing Projects DeepBrain AI

• AI Announcer System for Broadcasting Utilizing the avatar solution of a Korean startup to improve operational efficiency and support business expansion and DX in broadcasting.
• WeWALK: Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. Partnering with a startup that develops smart cane solutions to enhance safety and autonomy for the visually impaired around the world.

What's in it for You?

Inbound

NEC’s Corporate Venture Capital: NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF)

The NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF) is NEC’s ecosystem-driven CVC arm. With an investment capacity of approximately $140 million, NOFF backs startups from seed to growth stage across the U.S., Europe, Israel, and Asia. The fund aligns with NEC’s strategic themes such as 5G/6G, Smart Cities, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Digital Government, Digital Finance, and Carbon Neutrality.

💰 Fund Size: Approx. ¥20 Billion

🚀 Invested Startups: 10 (as of May 2025)

NEC Innovation Challenge (NIC)

For global startups seeking to collaborate with NEC and Japanese enterprises. NIC is a global business contest that brings together startups and companies aiming to co-create innovative solutions. Participants have the opportunity to utilize NEC’s assets, gain access to the Japanese market, and receive investment and hands-on support.

📬 Applications: Approx. 1,600

🤝 Participating Companies: 104 (FY2022–2024)

Outbound

NEC X

For entrepreneurs and early-stage startups aiming to build and scale their businesses. NEC X is a startup studio based in Silicon Valley that leverages NEC’s advanced technologies and business resources. Through programs like Elev X!, Ignite, and Boost, NEC X supports startups in developing market-fit products and accelerating growth.

Acceleration Program: Elev X! A startup program to co-develop technologies and services that solve real market needs.

• Elev X! Ignite (Ideation)
• Elev X! Boost (Pre-seed to Series A)

🏁 Commercialized Projects: 20+

🌍 Entrepreneur Network: 7,000+ (FY2024)

Why Should You Collaborate with NEC Open Innovation?

Joining NEC Open Innovation means gaining a partner that invests in your vision, co-develops your solution, and helps you scale with purpose. Whether you're seeking market entry in Japan, joint R&D, customer validation, or strategic funding—NEC provides the platform, network, and credibility to accelerate your innovation and impact.

Platinum Partner:

• DNP (大日本印刷)

Partners:

• Dentsu glue sprint for CVC, ビザスク, SMBC, KDDI ∞ Labo, 021 FUND (Bandai Namco Entertainment), Kubell, FTS (Future Talent Studio), Asahi Group

Managing Partners:

• ABeam Consulting, Translink Capital, NEC X, Inc

Notable Partners

NEC Innovation has built a diverse, international portfolio by investing in startups that are redefining industries. Notable partners include:

• ABEJA (AI & digital transformation)
• ABEJA Singapore
• dotData (machine learning automation)
• HACARUS (lightweight AI for medical & manufacturing)
• Connected Robotics (food tech robotics)
• ABEJA Vietnam
• Kyoto Robotics (3D vision tech)
• Tier IV (autonomous driving)
• Unifa (childcare tech)
• Xenodata Lab. (financial forecasting AI)
• ABEJA Taiwan
• LightTouch Technology
• Exvision (real-time computer vision)
• Crunch Style (lifestyle tech)
• Empath (emotion recognition AI)
• Vanguard Industries (lifestyle robotics)
• Gaussy
• RevComm (AI in business communications)
• MiL (health-focused food tech)
• Aill
• TRIBAWL
• Border
• bitBiome
• DROBE (personal styling with AI)

This diverse group of partners reflects NEC’s commitment to solving real-world problems across industries through co-innovation.

Portfolio Highlights

Through NEC Innovation and NOFF, NEC has partnered with leading startups in various fields. Notable investments include:

• Formic Technologies: A Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) provider supporting customers' robotics adoption, facilitating automation in various industries.
• SINAI Technologies: A U.S.-based company offering end-to-end CO₂ calculation and decarbonization intelligence solutions, aiding organizations in achieving net-zero goals.
• EverestLabs.AI: A U.S.-based company providing AI and automation solutions to increase the recovery and use of recyclable resources, supporting the realization of a circular economy.
• Sonatus Inc.: A company developing in-vehicle and cloud software infrastructure to accelerate the transition to software-defined vehicles and mobility innovation.
• PowerX Inc.: A Japan-based company creating battery-powered solutions including electric power storage, transmission, and ships to accelerate the energy transition.
• Spectro Cloud Inc.: A U.S.-based company offering a next-gen Kubernetes management platform, enabling scalable, secure, and flexible infrastructure deployment.
• SWAT Mobility Pte Ltd: A Singapore-based startup providing smart transportation solutions through AI-powered mobility platforms for efficient employee transport.
• Sakana.ai: A company specializing in generative AI research and development, contributing to advancements in artificial intelligence technologies.

These partnerships exemplify NEC's commitment to co-creating innovative solutions that address societal challenges and drive sustainable growth.

NEC Open Innovation: Achievements & Data

• Over 1,600 submissions to the NEC Innovation Challenge (NIC) from 104 countries (FY22–FY24)
• More than 160 startups supported through NEC X, with over 20 businesses launched
• Approximately $140 million invested via the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF)
• Around 80 global co-creation projects from April 2021 to December 2024
• Over 60 portfolio companies focused on cutting-edge and future-facing technologies
• Strategic co-creation projects and deep R&D integration with startups
• Operational presence in over 50 countries with more than 100,000 employees
• Cross-border investments in North America, Europe, and Asia
• NEC offers more than capital—providing product development, PoCs, and commercialization opportunities through its global network

Exit

Among the startups NOFF has invested in, several have achieved exits such as IPOs and M&As.

For NEC, it’s not just about investment—it emphasizes a medium- to long-term relationship with startups and takes a hands-on approach from scale-up through to final exit.

Ready to Collaborate?

Are you building solutions that can transform industries and empower people?

Partner with NEC Innovation CVC—and let’s drive innovation, together.