Mitsui Chemicals launched 321Catalyst, a $60 million, 10-year corporate venture fund based in San Jose, and set up a new subsidiary, 321Catalyst Ventures, to manage it. The fund invests globally from seed stage onward in areas such as mobility, healthcare, IT and sustainability. It follows 321FORCE, a 2022 fund about half the size that was run by Global Brain. How it is set up 321Catalyst Ventures was set up on April 10, 2025, and is wholly owned by Mitsui Chemicals America. Its president is Shunsuke Fujii. The money comes from 321Indigo Ventures, another Mitsui Chemicals subsidiary, which is the fund's only listed investor. The fund can invest in any industry, in the US, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. The aim Mitsui Chemicals said partnering with startups should help it launch new businesses ahead of competitors. The fund supports the solutions-based business models in its VISION 2030 long-term plan.
