KDDI Open Innovation Fund III Invests in Chemix, Inc., Developer of Next-generation Batteries using Generative AI

April 26, 2024

KDDI CORPORATION

KDDI invested in Chemix, Inc. (Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States; CEO: Kaixiang Lin; hereinafter "Chemix") through the KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (operated by Global Brain Corporation; hereinafter "KOIF III"), which aims to incubate new business co-creations with promising venture startups.

Chemix is a pioneer in deploying a generative AI-powered self-driving lab for the development of high-performance and sustainable next-generation batteries, currently targeting premium EV applications worldwide.

A battery to an EV is what a microprocessor is to a computer. However, the conventional research and development methods for today's EV batteries are labor-intensive and not suited for quickly discovering the optimal combinations of critical battery materials. Chemix develops in-house cutting-edge generative AI models, trained on its proprietary and high-volume data gathered through its self-driving lab, to automate the battery research and development processes. This approach fundamentally accelerates the iteration cycle and reduces the development time of next-generation batteries.

Through this investment, KDDI will promote innovations in the energy market by combining generative AI with battery design while supporting Chemix's future business expansion into Japan.

As "the company that customers feel closest to," KDDI will continue to promote business co-creation through investment in promising startup companies, and create new business models together with customers and partners.

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• ■Overview of Chemix

  • (1)

    • Company name

      : Chemix, Inc.

  • (2)

    • Headquarters

      : Sunnyvale, California, United States

  • (3)

    • Date founded

      : 2021

  • (4)

    • Business activities

      : Next-generation battery design by leveraging generative AI

  • (5)

    • Representative

      : Kaixiang Lin

  • (6)

    • URL

      : https://chemix.ai/

• ■About KDDI Open Innovation Fund

  KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture fund that supports a broad range of venture companies. The currently active KDDI Open Innovation Fund III focuses on the areas of AI, IoT, data marketing, fintech, B2B SaaS, and entertainment with a total operating fund of 30 billion yen.