Toyota Commits $1.5B More to Strategic Startup Investments Across All Growth Stages

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> Kellerman emphasized the integrated nature of Toyota’s investment ecosystem: Toyota Invention Partners targets initial innovation phases, Toyota Ventures backs early-stage startups, and Woven Capital focuses on growth-stage companies. Exceptional performers may eventually be integrated directly into Toyota’s corporate balance sheet. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Strategic Investments Reflect Toyota’s Innovation Priorities

The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> The automaker introduced two complementary investment vehicles on Tuesday. The first is Toyota Invention Partners Co., a strategic investment subsidiary capitalized at approximately $670 million, focused on early-stage, Japan-based startups with a long-term horizon. The second announcement was the launch of Woven Capital’s second fund, an $800 million growth-stage vehicle aimed at scaling companies globally. !-- wp:paragraph --> Toyota Invention Partners diverges from conventional venture capital models by eschewing fixed investment periods, enabling sustained engagement with startups from inception through maturity. This approach positions the subsidiary as a foundational investor, supporting innovation from the earliest ‘zero to one’ phases. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“One way to think about them (Toyota Invention Partners) is they’re bookending what Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital are doing,” said George Kellerman, General Partner at Woven Capital. “They’re doing the really early stage on one end, but then they’re maybe doing these longer-term project finance, asset management type of infrastructure investments, that might be a 30-, 40-, 50-year type of investment.”

Kellerman emphasized the integrated nature of Toyota’s investment ecosystem: Toyota Invention Partners targets initial innovation phases, Toyota Ventures backs early-stage startups, and Woven Capital focuses on growth-stage companies. Exceptional performers may eventually be integrated directly into Toyota’s corporate balance sheet. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Strategic Investments Reflect Toyota’s Innovation Priorities

The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> The automaker introduced two complementary investment vehicles on Tuesday. The first is Toyota Invention Partners Co., a strategic investment subsidiary capitalized at approximately $670 million, focused on early-stage, Japan-based startups with a long-term horizon. The second announcement was the launch of Woven Capital’s second fund, an $800 million growth-stage vehicle aimed at scaling companies globally. !-- wp:paragraph --> Toyota Invention Partners diverges from conventional venture capital models by eschewing fixed investment periods, enabling sustained engagement with startups from inception through maturity. This approach positions the subsidiary as a foundational investor, supporting innovation from the earliest ‘zero to one’ phases. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“One way to think about them (Toyota Invention Partners) is they’re bookending what Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital are doing,” said George Kellerman, General Partner at Woven Capital. “They’re doing the really early stage on one end, but then they’re maybe doing these longer-term project finance, asset management type of infrastructure investments, that might be a 30-, 40-, 50-year type of investment.”

Kellerman emphasized the integrated nature of Toyota’s investment ecosystem: Toyota Invention Partners targets initial innovation phases, Toyota Ventures backs early-stage startups, and Woven Capital focuses on growth-stage companies. Exceptional performers may eventually be integrated directly into Toyota’s corporate balance sheet. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Strategic Investments Reflect Toyota’s Innovation Priorities

The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph --> Japanese automotive giant Toyota has announced a significant expansion of its startup investment strategy, unveiling $1.5 billion in new capital dedicated to fostering innovation across the full lifecycle of emerging companies. The move reflects Toyota’s commitment to advancing technologies in mobility, climate solutions, artificial intelligence, and industrial automation. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Dual Fund Launches Targeting Early and Growth-Stage Startups

The automaker introduced two complementary investment vehicles on Tuesday. The first is Toyota Invention Partners Co., a strategic investment subsidiary capitalized at approximately $670 million, focused on early-stage, Japan-based startups with a long-term horizon. The second announcement was the launch of Woven Capital’s second fund, an $800 million growth-stage vehicle aimed at scaling companies globally. !-- wp:paragraph --> Toyota Invention Partners diverges from conventional venture capital models by eschewing fixed investment periods, enabling sustained engagement with startups from inception through maturity. This approach positions the subsidiary as a foundational investor, supporting innovation from the earliest ‘zero to one’ phases. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“One way to think about them (Toyota Invention Partners) is they’re bookending what Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital are doing,” said George Kellerman, General Partner at Woven Capital. “They’re doing the really early stage on one end, but then they’re maybe doing these longer-term project finance, asset management type of infrastructure investments, that might be a 30-, 40-, 50-year type of investment.”

Kellerman emphasized the integrated nature of Toyota’s investment ecosystem: Toyota Invention Partners targets initial innovation phases, Toyota Ventures backs early-stage startups, and Woven Capital focuses on growth-stage companies. Exceptional performers may eventually be integrated directly into Toyota’s corporate balance sheet. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Strategic Investments Reflect Toyota’s Innovation Priorities

The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

!-- wp:paragraph -->

Toyota Expands Strategic Startup Investment Portfolio with $1.5 Billion Injection

Japanese automotive giant Toyota has announced a significant expansion of its startup investment strategy, unveiling $1.5 billion in new capital dedicated to fostering innovation across the full lifecycle of emerging companies. The move reflects Toyota’s commitment to advancing technologies in mobility, climate solutions, artificial intelligence, and industrial automation. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Dual Fund Launches Targeting Early and Growth-Stage Startups

The automaker introduced two complementary investment vehicles on Tuesday. The first is Toyota Invention Partners Co., a strategic investment subsidiary capitalized at approximately $670 million, focused on early-stage, Japan-based startups with a long-term horizon. The second announcement was the launch of Woven Capital’s second fund, an $800 million growth-stage vehicle aimed at scaling companies globally. !-- wp:paragraph --> Toyota Invention Partners diverges from conventional venture capital models by eschewing fixed investment periods, enabling sustained engagement with startups from inception through maturity. This approach positions the subsidiary as a foundational investor, supporting innovation from the earliest ‘zero to one’ phases. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“One way to think about them (Toyota Invention Partners) is they’re bookending what Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital are doing,” said George Kellerman, General Partner at Woven Capital. “They’re doing the really early stage on one end, but then they’re maybe doing these longer-term project finance, asset management type of infrastructure investments, that might be a 30-, 40-, 50-year type of investment.”

Kellerman emphasized the integrated nature of Toyota’s investment ecosystem: Toyota Invention Partners targets initial innovation phases, Toyota Ventures backs early-stage startups, and Woven Capital focuses on growth-stage companies. Exceptional performers may eventually be integrated directly into Toyota’s corporate balance sheet. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Strategic Investments Reflect Toyota’s Innovation Priorities

The announcement coincided with a strategic investment in Machina Labs, a Los Angeles-based advanced manufacturing startup leveraging AI and robotics for rapid metal structure production. Woven Capital participated in the funding round, and Toyota Motor North America will pilot Machina Labs’ manufacturing technology to produce automotive body panels and accessories. !-- wp:paragraph --> While specific financial terms were undisclosed, this partnership exemplifies Toyota’s broader strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology into its manufacturing processes and product development. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Woven Capital’s Second Fund: Scaling Global Innovation

Established in 2021 with an $800 million fund, Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies including Foretellix and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The new fund, also capitalized at $800 million, will target 20 to 25 Series B to late-stage startups focusing on AI, automation, climate technology, energy, and sustainability sectors. !-- wp:paragraph --> Significantly, Woven Capital has been converted into a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary, underscoring the company’s integrated approach to venture investment and innovation acceleration. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Linking Startup Innovation to Woven City

These investment initiatives align with Toyota’s broader vision for Woven City, a prototype smart city at the foot of Mount Fuji designed to incubate and showcase emerging technologies. By channeling capital into startups across mobility, AI, and climate tech, Toyota aims to foster innovation that will ultimately be integrated into Woven City’s ecosystem. !-- wp:paragraph --> The city represents a living laboratory where startups supported by Toyota’s capital can pilot and refine their inventions, accelerating the path from concept to deployment in real-world environments. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Reporter Contact and Background

This report is based on coverage by Kirsten Korosec, Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, with over a decade of experience covering electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and urban mobility innovations. !-- wp:paragraph --> For inquiries or verification, Kirsten Korosec can be reached at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Toyota’s substantial capital commitment to startups across all stages signals a strategic pivot toward sustained innovation leadership in mobility and adjacent sectors. The establishment of Toyota Invention Partners and the expansion of Woven Capital deepen Toyota’s engagement with the startup ecosystem, enhancing its ability to nurture disruptive technologies from inception through commercialization. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Early access to breakthrough technologies in AI, climate, and automation; integration of innovations into Toyota’s manufacturing and smart city projects; potential for long-term value creation through sustained investment horizons.
• Risks: Long investment horizons may delay returns; competitive venture capital landscape; uncertainty in startup success rates, particularly in nascent technologies.

Impact: Positive. Toyota’s comprehensive and well-capitalized approach to startup investment enhances its strategic positioning in future mobility and technology ecosystems, potentially yielding competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles.

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