Niterra Ventures

Niterra Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Niterra Co., Ltd., a global technology leader with a 90-year history, formerly known as NGK Spark Plugs. The firm makes strategic minority investments in pioneering startups that are shaping the future, focusing on building new growth platforms beyond Niterra's traditional ceramics-based businesses. They pair capital with deep automotive, industrial, and materials expertise to help founders scale globally through long-term collaboration. Niterra Ventures focuses on hard, real-world problems where their manufacturing know-how, qualification expertise, and global customer access can add significant value to startups transitioning from prototype to industrial scale.

Niterra's venture journey began in 2018 with the launch of Venture Lab, a globally connected team exploring new business opportunities. Niterra Ventures was officially established in 2020 to unify Niterra’s business creation, partnership, and investment activities into one global platform. The firm operates across Japan, Europe, and the United States, with a long-term goal of building meaningful new sources of growth and integrating external innovation to create sustainable value. The company rebranded from NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. to Niterra Co., Ltd. in April 2023, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainability and an evolving portfolio.

Niterra Ventures manages a $100 million CVC fund, launched in 2021, and typically invests between $0.5 million and $5 million in Series A and later-stage companies. Their portfolio includes companies like Sibros, which offers a connected vehicle platform; Mimiq, building IoT devices for asset tracking; and Cala Health, known for its FDA-cleared wearable device for tremor therapy. Other notable investments span across various sectors, including Suono Bio, RIOS, Revvo, Vivalink, DispatchHealth, NOTA Laboratories, and neoplas med GmbH.

The firm's management team includes Bora Savas (Head of Venture Strategy), Dirk Schapeler (President), Takahiro Kimata (Vice President), Thomas Kluz (Managing Partner, Investments), and Toru Matsui (Chairman). The team leverages Niterra's extensive industrial heritage and global network to provide thoughtful support, strong judgment, and execution that founders can rely on. They are committed to partnering seamlessly across regions and disciplines to help founders build globally relevant companies.