VISIONS Magazine (August 2025 Edition)
Venture Into Tomorrow: SC Americas Leverages AP Ventures’ Access to Future-Focused Technologies
As the global economy advances toward net-zero goals, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SC Americas) is expanding its ability to identify and connect with transformative climate technologies. A strategic partnership with AP Ventures, a UK-based venture capital firm, is giving the company direct access to some of the most promising innovations in the decarbonization space.
“AP Ventures is well known in the market. As a limited partner, SC Americas has access to the startup ecosystem through the information and the network shared by AP Ventures,” said Risei Goto, CFA and investment manager at AP Ventures.
A Gateway to Innovation
For SC Americas, the investment is more than financial—it’s a strategic entry point into a global network of innovators working in advanced electrochemistry, methane pyrolysis, and other breakthrough areas.
“Through the access to the startup ecosystem, SC Americas is building unique knowledge and network. For example, SC Americas has established connections to up-and-coming technology startups in advanced electrochemistry and methane pyrolysis. SC Americas is well-prepared to internalize innovations,” Goto explained.
AP Ventures also stands apart from other clean tech venture capital firms through its approach to supporting portfolio companies.
“It’s an approach to help portfolio companies grow with strategic partners. AP Ventures not only aims to provide investors with financial returns but also aspires to build an ecosystem where portfolio companies and strategic partners thrive,” Goto noted.
“As a member of the Hydrogen Council, Sumitomo Corporation has given a priority to contributing to build a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem,” said Hajime Mori, CEO for Sumitomo Corporation's Energy Transformation Business Group. “On October 1, 2020, with the establishment of Hydrogen Business Department, we are entering into a new phase to accelerate hydrogen related business activities. AP Ventures has proven its ability to identify hydrogen technology start-ups and create value while facilitating collaborations between strategic corporate partners and its portfolio companies. We are excited about the opportunity to work with AP Ventures and its portfolio companies which bring innovation to our hydrogen business in the critical decades to come for climate change."
Strategic Selection of Startups
Determining which startups have long-term strategic potential requires patience and clear alignment.
“It’s important to align a startup and a partner on the milestones and timeline. If SC Americas is only interested in an immediate project, it might not be worthwhile working with a startup in the decarbonization market. However, the first-mover advantage in a fast-growing market and the value of a solution that unleashes latent demand could be enormous,” said Goto.
The AP Ventures network allows SC Americas to consider a wide spectrum of opportunities.
“I need to note that, while AP Ventures looks for game-changing solutions that can generate 10x return, many startups, with a pragmatic and ready-to-deploy solution, are seeking investment and partners. SC Americas can explore strategic potential with a broad range of startups through AP Ventures’ network,” he added.
The Role of SC Group's Hydrogen Working Group
The decision to invest more deeply in AP Ventures is rooted in SC Americas’ earlier work on hydrogen opportunities.
“The Hydrogen Working Group at SC Americas had reviewed various hydrogen business opportunities but solutions available in the market were immature and expensive. This observation led to insight that the climate tech market was an under-invested and needed innovation. When the Hydrogen Business Department was created in Japan, the investment in AP Ventures progressed based on that insight and through SC Americas’ connection to AP Ventures,” Goto explained.
Looking Ahead
Goto believes the coming decade will be critical for scaling decarbonization solutions.
“It is an important but difficult question. It’s important because more decarbonization solutions are needed. It’s difficult because decarbonization needs not only technology innovation but also market or business model innovation. In the short term, the market focuses on solutions for mandated or regulated markets such as SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), refineries, and fertilizer. In 10 years, more decarbonization solutions will be commercialized and deployed. The impact will heavily depend on a business model facilitated by policy and public support. I believe the key is to identify solutions that can unlock latent demand such that the market will demand them.”
Through AP Ventures, SC Americas is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this transformation—leveraging insight, relationships, and early access to technologies that could help shape the future of industrial sustainability.
