Electronics producer Panasonic Corporation has joined forces with venture capital firm Scrum Ventures to launch a US-based accelerator called BeeEdge to form independent startups based on underutilised Panasonic technologies.
The accelerator is intended to combine Panasonic’s technology expertise and Scrum’s record in venture capital, which includes investments in fashion rental service Le Tote and autonomous machine developer Realtime Robotics.
Panasonic had set up a Japan-based accelerator with startup services provider Creww in 2016 that focused on areas such as home appliances, work and advanced technologies.
The corporate subsequently announced in March 2017 that it would invest $100m in a US-based unit called Panasonic Ventures as part of a group-wide restructuring process.
Tetsuro Homma, Panasonic’s senior managing executive officer, said: “We are looking forward to working with Scrum Ventures because of their expertise in supporting startups.
“From analysing opportunities and bringing products to market, to sharing best practices in operations, Scrum Ventures will be a valuable partner in maximising how we develop our technologies with new innovative companies.”