More Companies to be funded by the KDDI Open Innovation Fund: Investing in Two Companies at Provide Entertainment Services for Smartphones

KDDI CORPORATION

January 20,2014

Through the corporate venture fund KDDI Open Innovation Fund, KDDI recently invested in AppBroadCast Co., Ltd. (Hereafter ABC), which offers comprehensive smartphone game media Game Gift, characterized by having item gifts, and TSUMIKI Inc. (Hereafter TSUMIKI), which offers a social film review service called Filmarks.

The KDDI Open Innovation Fund has, since its foundation in February 2012, invested in a total of 17 up-and-coming venture businesses in and outside of Japan in the fields of EC, content, services, and solutions. This time, KDDI aims to deliver a new user experience along with the expansion of user contact points in the entertainment arena on smartphones through investment in and support for ABC and TSUMIKI.

KDDI will continue to support the development of businesses creating new added value for customers and proceed with active partnership development through investment from the KDDI Open Innovation Fund and the efforts in KDDI Mugen Labo. These activities are aimed at providing an environment that allows all people, from smartphone beginners to power users, to enjoy the latest popular apps and Internet services as soon as they become available. [2]

KDDI Mugen Labo plans to hold the KDDI Mugen Labo 5th DemoDay on January 24, 2014 and showcase the services created by 5 teams that participated in the 5th Term Program as well as introduce KDDI and venture companies undertakings. ABC and TSUMIKI will also be participating and exhibiting their respective services.

[1]

The KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture fund operated by Global Brain Corporation and financed by KDDI for supporting up-and-coming venture companies.

Investments in companies are determined by Global Brain Corporation, which runs the fund.

[2]

KDDI Mugen Labo is a KDDI-operated incubation program targeting startup firms and engineers with innovative Internet service ideas.

For more details, see the Attachment.

Attachment More Companies to be funded by the KDDI Open Innovation Fund: Investing in Two Companies That Provide Entertainment Services for Smartphones

The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.

LINK:	http://news.kddi.com/kddi/corporate/english/newsrelease/2014/01/20/622...
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