Toyota Invests $1.5B to Global Startup Investments

Toyota is deepening its engagement with the global startup ecosystem with US$ 1.5 billion in new capital aimed at supporting innovation in mobility, AI, climate technology, and industrial automation. The automaker announced the creation of Toyota Invention Partners Co., a strategic investment subsidiary with US$ 670 million in capital, focused on Japan-based startups at the ‘zero to one’ stage. This complements its growth-stage venture arm, Woven Capital, which launched an US$ 800 million second fund targeting Series B to late-stage startups.

Toyota Invention Partners Co. takes a long-term approach. It helps startups at all stages of growth. Successful ventures can also show up on Toyota’s balance sheet. The strategy aligns with Toyota’s broader innovation ecosystem. This includes Woven City, a prototype city near Mount Fuji. It aims to support startups and test new technologies.

The new funding underlines Toyota’s commitment to startups globally. Woven Capital has already invested in 18 companies from its first fund, including autonomous vehicle startup Nuro and verification platform Foretellix, and plans to target 20–25 additional investments with the second fund. A key early project is a pilot with Machina Labs in Los Angeles. It uses AI and robots to make car body panels.

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This initiative helps Toyota support new technologies from beginning to end. It strengthens their long-term plan for innovation.