Insider Brief
- DIC Corporation launched a $62 million investment portfolio focused on physical AI startups in sensors, wearables, robotics and automation, and partnered with Emerald Technology Ventures to source and support global deals.
- DIC plans to establish a startup investment management subsidiary in Zurich in spring 2026 to strengthen deal flow, market intelligence and collaboration within Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem.
- The initiative aligns with DIC’s materials science strengths and its “Direct to Society” framework, with the company aiming to build a diversified startup portfolio over the next five years.
DIC Corporation is putting fresh capital behind physical AI.
The Tokyo-listed chemicals and materials company announced it has established a $62 million investment portfolio to back startups in sensors, wearables, robotics and automation, according to DIC Corporation. As part of the push, DIC has entered into a strategic partnership with Emerald Technology Ventures to find and support physical AI start-ups around the world.
“For many years, DIC has been committed to addressing social imperatives through materials innovation,” Takashi Ikeda, President and Group CEO of DIC, said in the announcement. “Physical AI has the potential to transform the way people interact with technology in a more natural and intuitive manner. Our partnership with Emerald is a major step in securing world-class expertise and networks that will help us deliver new value to society.”
DIC plans to open a startup investment management subsidiary in Zurich in spring 2026, positioning itself alongside Emerald in one of Europe’s deeper tech hubs. The company said the move is intended to improve deal flow, local market insight and collaboration on joint investments.
“Physical AI represents the next wave of innovation, enhancing human capability through intelligent systems,” noted Gina Domanig, Managing Partner and CEO, Emerald Technology Ventures. “By partnering with DIC, we aim to translate emerging technologies into practical, human-centered solutions and support the long-term growth of pioneering startups.”
DIC said Physical AI — systems that combine robotics, sensing and algorithms to interpret and respond to real-world environments — is a high-growth market that spans multiple industries and it aligns with its materials science capabilities, along with the company’s broader effort to create new businesses under its “Direct to Society” (D2S) framework.
Over the next five years, the company aims to build a diversified portfolio of startups through the new platform, pairing capital with post-investment support to scale emerging ventures.
