Tokyo Tower illuminated above the Tokyo skyline at dusk
Wide Golden Gate Bridge view above the blue San Francisco Bay

321CATALYST™ VENTURES

Catalyzing the future, together.

321Catalyst™ is the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui Chemicals, partnering with visionary founders to co-create new businesses and accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies.

Investment Areas

Our Focus Areas

Strategic investments across core industries.

Explore Mitsui Chemicals

Scientist working with samples in a healthcare laboratory

Life & Healthcare

Agriculture, bio-manufacturing, medical devices, and biomedical tools and technologies

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Mobility

Drones, robotics, electric vehicles, and other new mobility

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ICT (Electronics)

Semiconductors, batteries, XR, optics, and 6G technologies

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Basic & Green Materials

Circular economy, CO2 conversion, biomaterials, and innovative materials

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Digital Services

AI/ML, quantum computing, and digital manufacturing

THE MITSUI CHEMICALS ADVANTAGE

A strategic partner built for industrial impact.

Material science expertise

Deep knowledge across advanced materials, chemicals, healthcare, and industrial technology.

Manufacturing & scale-up

Access to technical teams, pilot pathways, and global manufacturing infrastructure.

Commercial network

Connections to customers, business partners, and market opportunities worldwide.

Asia market access

A gateway to one of the world’s largest industrial ecosystems.

Global co-creation

Connecting Silicon Valley innovation with Japan, Asia, and global markets.

Strategic + financial return

Building enduring value for founders, industry, and investors.

PORTFOLIO

Meet Our Portfolio

ChEmpower logo

Abrasive-free planarization for advanced chip manufacturing

InSphero logo

3D cell models for drug discovery and research

iORGANBIO

AI-powered manufacturing of human cells and organoids

Materia Bioworks logo

AI-driven development of sustainable biomaterials

Neo Medical logo

Medical technology for safer and more efficient spinal surgery

Scimplify logo

R&D-driven specialty chemistry manufacturing for global supply chains

TurtleTree logo

Precision-fermented lactoferrin for sustainable nutrition

Team

Our Team

JAPAN

Portrait of Akihiro Okabe

Akihiro Okabe

Director, New Business Incubation

Female team member

Akihiro Okabe

Director, New Business Incubation

Portrait of Kaichiro Haruta

Kaichiro Haruta

Manager

Male team member

Kaichiro Haruta

Manager

Portrait of Takuya Matsumoto

Takuya Matsumoto

Manager

Portrait of Takuya Matsumoto

Takuya Matsumoto

Manager

UNITED STATES

Portrait of Miho Tsukamoto

Miho Tsukamoto

Vice President

Portrait of Miho Tsukamoto

Miho Tsukamoto

Vice President

Portrait of Naoko Hoshiya

Naoko Hoshiya

Investment Associate

Portrait of Naoko Hoshiya

Naoko Hoshiya

Investment Associate