Cleantech startups looking for investment face challenges in the current US market. Japanese corporate venture capital companies (CVCs) represent one alternative as many such CVCs are still active in the cleantech sector. Co-organized between Keizai Silicon Valley and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), with support from the 4WARD San Francisco, Berkeley & Bay Area Climate Group, Informal Spaces – Oakland, JETRO San Francisco and the UC Berkeley Strauch Cleantech to Market (C2M) Program, the event will be held in conjunction with San Francisco Climate Week and will facilitate matchmaking between Japanese CVCs active in cleantech investment to interested startups.
The program will introduce participating Japanese CVCs as well as examples of successful collaboration between Japanese CVCs and cleantech startups, followed by breakout sessions where the CVCs will meet with pre-selected startups. Interested startups are encouraged to register using the startup registration link below. Registration will end at 5 pm April 16th Pacific time. Note that since the event is primarily for startups, observer registration may be limited if the venue limit is reached.
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Founded in 2017, Acario Innovation is the Silicon Valley-based corporate venture capital and open innovation arm of Tokyo Gas. Established to promote innovation within Silicon Valley, Acario is focused on funding market leading companies in the new energy economy and sustainability sectors, including mobility, energy storage, and next-generation customer and energy services. We are focused on creating open innovation, transforming the digital landscape, and moving forward research and development within the energy sector.
The ME Innovation Fund is a bridge between the Mitsubishi Electric Group and startups.
Since its founding, Mitsubishi Electric has developed a wide range of businesses based on its technological capabilities cultivated over many years. We, at ME Innovation Fund, take "technology" as our keyword, to discover innovative technologies and novel ideas from startups and bring change to the world through co-creation.
MOL Switch is the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), established in the United States. We invest in startups developing decarbonizing technologies and business models in the energy sector, with the goal of accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable future. By investing in companies at different stages and partnering with innovators advancing scalable and impactful solutions, MOL Switch seeks to help turn the vision of a green energy future into reality for generations to come.
Founded in 1892, Obayashi Corporations is one of Japan’s major construction companies with business activities ranging across domestic and overseas construction works, regional development, urban development, ocean development, environmental improvement, engineering, management, consulting and real estate.
Sony Ventures is the venture capital arm of Sony Group Corporation and is dedicated to investing in and engaging with promising early-stage & growth-stage companies. Beyond investment, our mission is to provide access to the broader Sony world and its global network and collaborate with startups.
4WARD.earth is a global climate & sustainability network catalyzing collaboration, funding, and innovation across the global climate ecosystem to drive climate action at a scale once thought unimaginable.
informal spaces is a locally owned and community integrated co-working space committed to building great teams and organizations and have fun doing it. With hardware friendly facilities located at four locations throughout the Bay Area, informal spaces gives organizations the space to spread out and create.
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a non-profit organization that connects businesses with the resources they need to successfully expand to Japan. Since 2003, JETRO has supported more than 20,000 business investment projects and helped over 2,000 companies successfully invest in Japan.
The Strauch Cleantech to Market (C2M) Program is UC Berkeley’s flagship climate tech accelerator that drives the commercialization of climate technologies. Since its launch in 2008, C2M has helped nearly 120 climate tech startups navigate the path to market. These ventures have collectively raised over $1.3 billion in funding and created more than 1,200 jobs, supported by the insights and energy of over 600 C2M student participants.
Thursday, April 23, 2026 3:00 – 7:00 pm (PDT)
| Registration/Networking: | 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Program: | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| CVC-Startup Talks/Networking: | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
Free; registration required
Food and beverages will be served.
