Japan’s Mitsui buys 30 percent stake in Koç Holding’s tech investment company

ISTANBUL

Japanese company Mitsui & Co has acquired a 30 percent stake in Koç Holding’s technological investment company Inventram, the companies’ top executives said in a joint press meeting on Nov. 7. 

Inventram, which was established in 2010, focuses on commercializing disruptive technologies and technological innovations via smart business models. The company also invests in innovative start-ups and provides them with sales consulting services.

“What will be the biggest added value for us is to be able to evaluate investments in a shorter term than we do today. We expect the deal flow to increase,” said Koç Holding Chair Ali Koç. 

Koç also noted that such technological developments are a “national issue,” emphasizing Koç Holding’s contributions in this field. 

“We are trying to do our best in this field. Inventram has been followed by global investors for a long time thanks to its breakthrough projects. What brings all of us together here today is a good example of the continuing interest of foreign investors in Turkey, despite all the negativities around,” he said, noting that the cooperation talks between Inventram and Mitsui started 24 months ago. 

Mitsui & Co Europe’s corporate planning president Naotaka Hayashi said they made this investment because they have confidence in Turkey’s economy. 

“We also have high confidence in Koç Holding’s expertise. We believe we can make a contribution to this partnership with our global business network,” Hayashi said, as quoted by Reuters. 

According to a follow-up press release, Mitsui is one of the largest investment groups in Japan with more than $97 billion in total assets and $42 billion in revenue.

Inventram and Mitsuil will work together mainly on electronics, integrated systems, artificial intelligence and sensors, Reuters reported. 

Among projects on which Inventram has so far invested are a robotic touch sensor and a breakthrough device that will decrease the possibility of death from internal bleeding in any emergent traumatic injuries.