Geely-owned Volvo Cars has launched a new investment fund aimed at investing in technology start-ups around the globe.
The aim of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund is to invest in strategic technology trends that are transforming the industry, such as artificial intelligence, electrification, autonomous driving and digital mobility services.
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The first strategic investment as part of the Tech Fund is a seed round investment into a California-based technology firm developing advanced sensors.
Volvo says start-ups it works with may also gain the ability to validate their technologies and accelerate the pace of achieving product market fit.
Further, it says start-ups may have the opportunity to benefit from Volvo Cars' unique access to the Chinese car market, its largest, as well as potential access to Volvo Cars' global network of automotive and technology partners.
Zaki Fasihuddin, currently Vice President of Strategic Partnerships in the Volvo Cars Silicon Valley Technology Center, has been appointed CEO of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund.
"We seek to invest in companies that can provide us with strategic access to new technologies, capabilities and talent," said Zaki Fasihuddin. "By supporting promising young firms at the forefront of technological development and providing them with both capital and strategic value, we aim to strengthen our leading role in the industry's technological transformation."
"We work closely with promising technologies, and when we see value creation potential for us as a user, we can now also invest to help accelerate the venture," said Mats Moberg, Board Member for the Tech Fund and Vice President for R&D at Volvo Cars.
Last year, Volvo Cars established a digital organisation in Silicon Valley, providing an 'additional centre of gravity for the company's development of technology and services'.
In the autumn of 2017, Volvo Cars also acquired the assets and key personnel of Luxe, a US-based premium valet and concierge service. This acquisition provided a major boost to Volvo Cars' development of digital services, the company says.
