Asics announced that its investment subsidiary, Asics Ventures Corporation, has made its first investment, taking a stake in AI Silk Corporation. AI Silk is a venture company affiliated with Tohoku University that develops conductive textiles.
AI Silk was founded in 2015 in Miyagi Prefecture and develops conductive textiles that are comfortable on the skin, utilizing the technology researched by Tohoku University. Many devices that gather the body’s data from the skin tend to irritate the wearer when used over extended periods of time. AI Silk has developed a proprietary Silk textile conductive technology. Contact with the skin is gentle, and the fabric is highly absorbent with limited allergic reaction. The fabric permits high conductivity, and data gathering is extremely user-friendly.
The company’s proprietary technology will be used together with Asics Institute of Sport Science’s expertise in developing sports apparel made of high-performance materials.
One of the core strategies in Asics’ medium-term management plan, Asics Growth Plan (AGP) 2020, is creating distinctive innovations. Asics has been focusing on developing revolutionary products, services and processes that change customers’ lifestyles and experiences. Asics established Asics Ventures investment subsidiary in November 2016 in order to pursue innovations at a faster pace, and has been collaborating with venture companies with leading-edge products, technologies and personnel.
Asics Group plans to pursue even further sustainable growth by working together with companies discovered by Asics Ventures to create value, and by developing new businesses.
