venture capital

Ricoh Launches JPY 3bn CVC Fund to Accelerate Global Startup Investments

Norbert Gehrke

13 Apr 2026 — 2 min read

Ricoh has established the RICOH Innovation Fund II, a new Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) vehicle designed to broaden the company's strategic reach into overseas markets.

The fund, which officially launched on April 6, 2026, carries a total scale of 3 billion yen and an operational term of eight years. This move signals a significant expansion of Ricoh’s investment strategy as it transitions toward a digital services-led business model.

Global Expansion

Building on the foundation of its predecessor—the RICOH Innovation Fund I, established in November 2023—the new fund aims to strengthen Ricoh’s presence in the global startup ecosystem. To date, Ricoh’s first fund has successfully invested in nine startups worldwide, including notable collaborations with decarbonization platform ASUENE and AI-driven sensor firm Butlr Technologies.

The RICOH Innovation Fund II will be managed in partnership with SBI Investment. This partnership is expected to leverage SBI's investment expertise to identify high-growth opportunities that align with Ricoh’s mid-term management strategy for fiscal years 2026–2030.

Focus on Digital Transformation and Sustainability

According to company filings, the fund will deploy capital across four primary investment pillars:

Supporting Creativity: Tools that enhance communication and collaborative value.
Digital Workplace: Technologies enabling seamless, productive remote and hybrid work environments.
Digital Inclusion: Solutions ensuring safe and equitable access to digital technologies.
Zero-carbon, Circular Economy: Innovations focused on net-zero society goals and resource streamlining.

Executive Commentary

"By expanding our investments in overseas startups and accelerating collaboration across our local operations, we are committed to advancing the value of the workplace," stated Sanae Endo, Corporate Officer at Ricoh.

The launch comes on the heels of a strong fiscal performance; for the year ended March 2025, Ricoh reported worldwide sales of 2,527 billion yen (approximately $16.8 billion USD). The establishment of Fund II underscores the company’s intent to use its capital reserves to foster external partnerships that drive long-term global growth.

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