Nikon Launches $51.5M ‘NFocus’ Venture Fund for Startup Investments

Aug 28, 2024

Jeremy Gray

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The Nikon Corporation and Geodesic Capital have joined to launch NFocus Fund, a new private venture fund designed to “accelerate innovation and inorganic growth.”

As spotted by Nikon Rumors, Nikon and Geodesic Capital officially formed the new NFocus Fund on August 6, and Nikon is the anchor limited partner.

Nikon, as established in its Medium-Term Management Plan for fiscal years 2022 through 2025, the company aims to become a “key technology solutions company in a global society” by 2030. Nikon also notes aspirations toward a society where “humans and machines co-create seamlessly.”

To help achieve this goal, the NFocus Fund will invest primarily in early to mid-stage startups “and collaborate with partners to enhance Nikon’s technological innovation in several fields of strategic interest.”

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“NFocus Fund, a Geodesic Capital managed Fund, together with Nikon Ventures Corporation (NVC), a subsidiary of Nikon located in Belmont, California, will directly engage with startups and partners in North America and other key locations, fostering partnerships, developing human resources, and creating synergies to expand Nikon’s technological and business strategies,” Nikon says in a press release.

“This partnership is based on Geodesic’s strong network within Silicon Valley, its understanding of Japanese companies and culture, and its track record of successful investments,” the company continues.

“I am delighted to announce the formation of this fund together with our long standing partner Geodesic Capital,” says Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO of Nikon Ventures Corporation. “This strategic initiative will allow us to cultivate new technologies in Silicon Valley and beyond that will accelerate innovations required to meet the needs of society that have been articulated on our Vision 2030.”

Nikon’s Vision 2030 promises to make “the impossible possible,” and the company subscribes to the notion that thanks to advances in technology, society will experience a “megashift” by 2030.

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“Nikon will identify the diverse needs of society this produces, and stay ahead of the curve, contributing to society in two fields of value proposition,” Nikon explains.

Due to Nikon’s predicted “megashift,” the company expects societal and global challenges to necessitate a technological shift, encapsulating shifts in social frameworks, how people view life and their lifestyles, and broader values.

The company believes there are financial rewards to be reaped, including through expanding possibilities in industry, energy, healthcare, and entertainment. Based on what Nikon has said concerning Vision 2030 and its new venture fund, the company seems keen to invest in technological innovations and startups relating to energy and production efficiency and improving quality of life, mainly through healthcare and entertainment.

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Healthcare is certainly not a new area for Nikon to focus its attention on, as the company’s optical expertise contributes to a diverse range of medical instruments.

“We will promote development of systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) to support diagnosis by doctors, to help in the early detection of illnesses. By linking this to earlier treatments, we aim for a future where lives are saved,” Nikon says.

The company also believes its imaging technologies offer ways to educate and entertain people.

“The NFocus Fund represents a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between Geodesic Capital and Nikon. By leveraging our deep connections in Silicon Valley and our expertise in investing in foundational technology startups, we are poised to champion innovative solutions that align with our Limited Partners’ interests and Nikon’s vision for the future. We are thrilled to support the next wave of startups that will transform industries and create new opportunities for technological advancements both in the United States and Japan,” says John Roose, founder of Geodesic Capital.

The NFocus Fund will operate for 10 to 12 years and includes a $51.5 million fund size.

Image credits: Nikon