Latest news with #deeptech
Arabian Business
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
ADGM Academy partners with PGIM to launch RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre
ADGM Academy (ADGMA) has partnered with PGIM, the global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc., to launch the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre . The centre will focus on sustainable technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech within the real asset industry. The centre will open in September this year at the ADGM Academy offices, bringing together global expertise to tackle challenges and opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, smart cities, and related sectors. ADGM Academy, PGIM launch real estate innovation hub The announcement follows the strategic partnership formed between PGIM and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) announced in December last year to support the establishment of the centre. Alessandro Borgogna, Advisor – Cluster Planning and Development at ADIO, said: 'Abu Dhabi is driving the next stage of innovation by integrating AI, sustainability, and digital transformation across global industries. RealAssetX Abu Dhabi demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the financial services sector and positioning the emirate as a launchpad for deep tech solutions that deliver value at scale.' The RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre will focus on three key areas: climate technologies, advancing decarbonisation and environmental resilience; AI-driven decision-making, enhancing asset management and investment strategies through analytics; and breakthrough applications, exploring blockchain for real estate, smart infrastructure systems and materials. Mansoor Jaffar, CEO at ADGM Academy and Research Centre, added: 'We are committed to building a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures early-stage ventures and accelerates breakthrough technologies in real assets. Our partnership with PGIM, supported by ADIO, will enable the RealAssetX Centre to drive innovation, support sustainable development, and position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for deep tech and smart infrastructure.' PGIM and ADGMA will jointly guide and oversee the centre's strategy and operations. The centre will deliver research, ideation labs, hackathons, pitch competitions, and incubator and accelerator programmes. Mohammed Abdulmalek, Head of the Middle East at PGIM, said: 'By combining PGIM's global investment expertise with ADGMA's commitment to talent and technology, we are creating a platform that will drive sustainable growth, unlock new value, and position the region at the forefront of deep tech and AI-driven transformation.'
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Japanese VC Firm UTEC Launches $326 Million Fund
The UTEC team. Courtesy of UTEC T he University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), a Japanese venture capital firm specializing in science and technology startups, has announced the close of its sixth fund with 47 billion yen ($326 million) in committed capital, bringing its total assets under management to over $1 billion. Through the fund, the firm will invest between $10 million and $20 million in seed and early-stage startups across a range of deep technology fields, including healthcare and life sciences, information technology, and physical sciences and engineering. 'We are very open to every kind of opportunity,' says Tomotaka Goji, managing partner, CEO and president of UTEC, in a video interview. 'Even though we are very connected with Japanese academia, like the University of Tokyo, we are privately run and funded by institutional investors worldwide, so our aim is to seek high-growth opportunities that could deliver good returns.' Founded in 2004, UTEC is one of Japan's largest deep-tech VCs, with a portfolio spanning more than 150 companies either originated from or backed by academic institutions. These include peptide-based drug discovery and development company PeptiDream, which listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2013 and now trades at a market capitalization of over $1.4 billion; and cell-free DNA synthesis and amplification technology provider OriCiro Genomics, which was acquired by pharmaceutical giant Moderna in 2023 for $85 million. An employee at PeptiDream's laboratory in the The University of Tokyo. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg 'One unique aspect is that we don't necessarily just do due diligence, but we also do a co-creation process with scientific founders,' adds Goji. By identifying startups at their pre-incorporation stages, UTEC says it offers potential founders assistance with recruitment, global expansion assistance and company governance. UTEC's investment strategy is rooted in sourcing science and technology innovations from universities, research institutions, and industry partners. While mostly operating in Japan, UTEC also invests in startups based in the U.S., India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, with the goal of helping Japanese startups expand abroad and bringing international startups into Japan. 'When it comes to very plausible, promising startups, or the seeds of the technology coming to UTEC, we have an internal system of evaluating them with AI and data science,' says Noriaki Sakamoto, managing partner and COO of UTEC. As a component of the firm's due diligence process, this includes identifying promising technologies and researchers by analyzing academic and research publications, and assessing their 'startup readiness' through citation network analysis. To Sakamoto, these include technologies that can target global challenges such as aging populations, labor shortages, and applying AI technologies to legacy industries. In life sciences and healthcare, specific investment areas include the drug discovery sector, which benefits from high unmet medical needs, and the medical device sector, which includes therapeutic devices where significant exit opportunities exist. The launch of the new fund coincides with the Japanese government's efforts to bolster the country's startup ecosystem. Last October, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his administration's ambition to make Japan the largest startup hub in Asia, building on existing policy initiatives such as the Small Business Innovation Research program and five-year national startup development plan. Originally announced in 2022, the national startup development plan aims to increase Japan's startup investment to 10 trillion yen by 2027, creating 100 unicorns in the process. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Japan's Largest Companies 2025: Rare Interest Rate Hikes Lead To A Volatile Year For Japanese Firms On The Global 2000 By Zinnia Lee Forbes Japanese Semiconductor Startup Secures $21 Million In Grants For Edge AI By Cat Wang Forbes Semiconductor Materials Maker's Shares Soar In Japan's Biggest IPO Since 2018 By Zinnia Lee
Entrepreneur
08-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Government Commits Additional INR 10,000 Crore to Boost Deep-Tech Startups
Goyal stated that the new funding will focus heavily on supporting the deep-tech ecosystem, including innovation, technology absorption, and the deployment of advanced technologies across key sectors You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a move to strengthen India's deep-tech ecosystem, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced an additional INR 10,000 crore allocation under the Fund of Funds scheme. The announcement was made during an event hosted by IIT Madras and its alumni association in Bengaluru on Saturday. This fresh infusion follows the government's full commitment of the initial INR 10,000 crore tranche announced in the previous Budget. Goyal stated that the new funding will focus heavily on supporting the deep-tech ecosystem, including innovation, technology absorption, and the deployment of advanced technologies across key sectors. "This time around, it's largely going to support the deep tech ecosystem," Goyal said. "We are just formulating the guidelines and the full money goes to promote innovation, absorption of newer technologies and the deployment of newer tech in contemporary fields." The expansion of the Fund of Funds comes amid concerns that private sector investment in research and development remains disproportionately low, despite numerous government incentives. Addressing this gap, the government had earlier proposed a dedicated deep-tech fund in the February Budget to catalyse the next wave of technology-led startups. Goyal's remarks align with his long-standing call for Indian entrepreneurs to transition from being the world's back office to becoming global leaders in technology and innovation. "It helps us to climb the growth chart and buck the trend in a slowing global trade environment," he noted. The announcement also coincides with the launch of #100DesiDeepTechs, an initiative by India's Startup Policy Forum (SPF), in collaboration with Startup India (DPIIT), MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT Madras. The programme aims to identify and support 100 promising Indian deep-tech startups, focusing on critical sectors like semiconductors, defence, quantum technology, green hydrogen, space, and biotech. Selected startups will participate in closed-door discussions with policymakers and industry leaders, with the outcomes contributing to a white paper outlining regulatory and policy recommendations. The initiative will culminate in a high-level forum, "Deeptech Baithak", where the white paper will be released and SPF's new Centre for Deep-Tech Policy Research formally launched.
The Australian
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Deep tech merger forms MagnaTerra Technologies
A new deep tech company, MagnaTerra, has been formed after the merger of globally leading startups NextOre and MRead MagnaTerra's launch follows an $11 million capital raise and support from some of Australia's leading investors in technology, science and mining. The company combines more than two decades of world-class innovation in magnetic resonance (MR) sensing developed by Australia's national science agency the CSIRO to detect minerals, explosives and drugs at a molecular level Special Report: Australia has a new globally focused deep tech company in MagnaTerra Technologies following the merger of mining innovator NextOre and explosives detection startup MRead. The combined company MagnaTerra Technologies has been backed in an $11 million capital raise supported by a number of leading investors in technology, science and mining. MagnaTerra brings together more than two decades of innovation in magnetic resonance (MR) sensing developed by Australia's national science agency the CSIRO. The rapid, accurate and safe detection technology – similar to that used by MRIs in healthcare – can identify minerals, explosives and narcotics at a molecular level. NextOre has applied highly penetrative technology to ore sorting to become a global leader in mining technology after it was spun out of a CSIRO R&D project. It's since ruggedised and commercialised the sensors for use over conveyor belts and haul trucks in mines across the globe. MRead has adapted the tech to develop world-class expertise in landmine and narcotics detection. Growth to meet global demand The capital raise will fund further developments in game-changing sensors for the defence, critical minerals, border security and humanitarian demining markets, where global demand is intensifying. This will include the development of detection capabilities for explosives, critical minerals for bulk sorting and iron ore applications. Resources sector investment and advisory house RFC Ambrian invested in the raise via its QCM fund. The round also attracted high-net-worth investors introduced by Shaw and Partners. The company's capital table additionally includes the CSIRO, engineering group Worley, electronic solutions developer Codan and global industrial manufacturer Gebr Pfeiffer SE. RFC Ambrian has been an investor in MRead and NextOre since their founding. RFC chair Rob Adamson will also chair the newly formed entity and said MagnaTerra was a natural fit with the fund's mandate. 'MagnaTerra is a sovereign tech platform with real revenue, high-impact IP and clear global applications,' Mr Adamson said. 'The company takes outstanding, world-leading detection technology developed by our national science agency, the CSIRO, that has significant potential to improve the economics and reduce the environmental impact of producing copper and other critical minerals. 'It additionally has important applications in the detection of explosives for humanitarian demining, border security and defence,' he said. Shared core IP, specialist applications MagnaTerra will continue to operate under established brands: NextOre for minerals; and MRead for security, defence and humanitarian demining applications. NextOre's systems are already operating in Chile, Zambia and the Philippines, with customers including Lundin Mining, First Quantum and Newcrest. Its platform helps copper miners offset the effects of declining ore grades by enabling cost-effective sorting of the valuable mineral from waste. NextOre's tech also dramatically reduces energy, water and chemical use by rejecting waste rock close to the source. It's now being adapted for lithium and iron ore, with future applications across critical minerals such as cobalt, antimony and bismuth. 'By enabling 100 per cent ore scanning in real time, our technology makes mines more productive and sustainable,' NextOre CEO Chris Beal said. 'That makes MagnaTerra a compelling opportunity for investors looking for scalable solutions at the intersection of deep tech, sustainability and security.' Like NextOre's sensors, MRead's handheld mine detector was developed in partnership with the CSIRO. It has since been trialled successfully in Angola with The HALO Trust, a forerunner global demining. Angola, Afghanistan and Iraq still have an estimated 10 million mines each, Cambodia an estimated seven million and more than two million landmines have been laid in Ukraine since 2022, with demining organisations scrambling to remove them. MRead's sensors are estimated to cut clearance times by up to 30 per cent by dramatically reducing false positives compared to metal detectors. Using MR sensing it directly detects RDX – one of two main explosive compounds commonly used in landmines globally. R&D has commenced on the other major explosive compound, TNT. 'Landmines are one of the great unresolved global challenges. Our technology promises to save lives and restore land to communities faster and more safely,' MRead and MagnaTerra CEO John Shanahan said. The same MR technology can be adapted to detect narcotics and explosives in cargo, without opening packages or using harmful radiation. 'This merger is a consolidation of world-leading science, engineering and commercial momentum into a single vehicle with global reach,' Mr Shanahan said. From left: MagnaTerra chairman Rob Adamson, MRead & MagnaTerra CEO John Shanahan and NextOre CEO Chris Beal. This article was developed in collaboration with NextOre, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
Entrepreneur
04-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Zoho Acquires Asimov Robotics
Post-acquisition, the startup and its entire team will continue their operations from Zoho's new campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Zoho Corporation, the parent company of Zoho and ManageEngine, has announced the acquisition of Kochi-based deeptech startup Asimov Robotics. The move underscores Zoho's commitment to strengthening its research and development capabilities in robotics and emerging technologies. Founded in 2012, Asimov Robotics specializes in developing robotic solutions tailored to perform hazardous and repetitive tasks across various industries. Post-acquisition, the startup and its entire team will continue their operations from Zoho's new campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala. The team will benefit from close mentorship and collaboration with Zoho's in-house experts, according to an official company statement. The strategic acquisition aligns with Zoho's broader goal of building cutting-edge technology solutions in India, especially from rural regions. "Our Kottarakkara office will be dedicated to enhancing our R&D projects in fields like AI and robotics. We will also be partnering with other deeptech organisations to expand our impact," said Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO of Zoho Corp. The official announcement was made during the inauguration of Zoho's Kottarakkara campus, which was presided over by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Finance Minister K N Balagopal. Also present were Zoho US Co-founder Tony Thomas, Zoho Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu, Member of Parliament Kodikunnil Suresh, Kerala Startup Mission CEO Anoop Ambika, and former ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath. Speaking at the event, Finance Minister Balagopal said, "This collaboration with Zoho is a major step forward in building Kerala's local ecosystems. It will lead to IP creation, product R&D, and knowledge development from rural areas. The Kottarakkara campus is a model that could be replicated across the state." The new facility, which can accommodate up to 250 employees, will initially focus on AI and robotics. Zoho has already been hiring local talent from nearby towns and villages, reinforcing its decentralisation strategy. The company opened its first office in Kottarakkara in 2024. In addition, Zoho has launched a structured internship programme at the campus. The initiative includes a three-month foundational training in programming languages like C, C++, and Python, followed by six months of project-based learning. Successful interns are offered full-time positions, and to date, 40 employees have been onboarded through the programme. Zoho has also partnered with the Kerala Startup Mission to support its Deep Tech Product Studio initiative, furthering its collaboration with emerging startups and innovators in the region. With this acquisition and infrastructure investment, Zoho is positioning itself as a catalyst for deeptech innovation from rural India, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive technology development.
