TLDR:
- Total global investment in start-ups for 2023 has fallen 38% year-on-year, but Toyota Ventures continues to invest in the future of mobility
- In April 2024, Toyota Ventures announced US$300m of new funding, bringing their total assets to around US$800m
Toyota Ventures, the venture capital arm of the automaker, is focusing on investing in next-gen technology despite the overall decline in global start-up investment. While other automakers are proceeding cautiously, Toyota Ventures remains committed to funding the future of mobility. In January 2024, data from Crunchbase revealed a significant decrease in total global investment in start-ups from US$462bn to US$285bn, marking the lowest rate in five years. However, Toyota Ventures announced US$300m of new funding in April 2024, bringing their total assets to around US$800m.
Jim Adler, Founder and General Partner at Toyota Ventures, shared the company’s philosophy with Automotive World, emphasizing their belief in the trends that will shape the next five years in mobility. Despite previous criticism and later vindication for their investment choices, Toyota is forging ahead with multiple new investments in start-ups. Adler discusses the challenges and opportunities of start-up growth in the mobility sector, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving industry.
While some automakers may be scaling back their ventures in light of the decrease in global start-up investment, Toyota Ventures’ continued investment in next-gen technology demonstrates their commitment to shaping the future of mobility.
