The expansion into Silicon Valley marks a strategic move for Ajinomoto Co., which seeks to support and collaborate with innovators across four key growth areas: "Healthcare," "Food & Wellness," "ICT," and "Green."

With the establishment of its CVC arm in Silicon Valley, Ajinomoto Co. aims to strengthen its backing of startups while fostering growth within its food, healthcare, and electronic material business verticals. The initiative provides portfolio entrepreneurs access to Ajinomoto Co.'s technological prowess in advanced ingredient and material research, along with manufacturing capabilities spanning fermentation to biopharma Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs).

The CVC arm has been actively deploying capital through both fund-on-fund and direct investments. Notably, its expanding portfolio now includes investments in Translink Capital, a U.S.-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on semiconductors, mobility, AI, healthcare, robotics, and sustainability. Additionally, Ajinomoto Co. has made its inaugural semiconductor investment in Elephantech, a manufacturing technology company advancing metal inkjet printed circuit boards as a more sustainable production process.

Shunji Takehana, the U.S.-based General Manager of the CVC arm, expressed optimism about the company's venture into Silicon Valley, stating, "Ajinomoto is built by scientists and engineers who execute on bold innovative ideas, and we believe there is no better place than Silicon Valley for us to keep our innovation edge sharp and find shared growth opportunities with entrepreneurs."

For the 115-year-old company, forging partnerships with startups signifies a pivotal strategy for its next phase of growth, as outlined in its recently published 2030 roadmap. Ajinomoto Co. aims to extend its impact beyond food and nutrition, driving growth in segments such as healthcare and information & communications technology, which contribute to societal and environmental well-being.

In the healthcare sector, Ajinomoto Co. boasts a burgeoning product portfolio encompassing a biopharma CDMO, growth factors, and culture media for diverse drug manufacturing applications. In the realm of semiconductors, the company stands as a trailblazer in film-based circuit insulation technology, a foundational component in contemporary computers.

The establishment of Ajinomoto Co.'s CVC headquarters in Silicon Valley underscores the company's commitment to innovation and collaboration, positioning it at the forefront of transformative advancements across multiple industries.