DIC Establishes Investment Management Subsidiary DIC D2S Ventures in European Deep Tech Hub —Accelerating co-creation with startups through strategic investments in Physical AI —

Tokyo, Japan—DIC Corporation today announced the March 2026 establishment of DIC D2S Ventures AG, an investment management subsidiary, in Zurich, Switzerland, to accelerate its efforts to create new businesses in the high-growth next-generation physical AI* domain.

* Physical AI is an AI technology that uses cameras and sensors to perceive, understand and interact with the physical world, allowing robots and machines to make decisions and act autonomously.

DIC reported in February 2026 that it had entered into a strategic partnership with Zurich-based global venture capital firm Emerald Technology Ventures. The new subsidiary, created through this partnership, will serve as a base for strategic investments in and collaboration with promising deep tech startups, primarily in Europe and North America. DIC D2S Ventures will also enable DIC to better leverage Emerald’s specialized investment expertise and extensive global networks, thereby expediting decision making across all processes from the initial exploration of emerging technologies through to the launch of partnerships, as well as building a pipeline for future commercialization.

Physical AI—core components of which include sensors, wearables, robotics and automation—is expected to dramatically reshape the way industries and societies function in the years ahead. Zurich has developed into one of the world’s leading deep tech ecosystems, with universities, research institutions, startups and investors working together closely in areas such as AI, robotics and advanced materials,
making the city an ideal base from which to cultivate new businesses in the physical AI domain.

DIC has adopted a new business creation mechanism dubbed “Direct to Society,” whereby it seeks to create new businesses by envisaging future needs, proposing solutions and value directly to society, and achieving commercialization through practical implementation. Collaboration with startups in the physical AI domain aligns strongly with this Direct to Society approach and is a key element of the Company’s drive to hasten the creation of new value.

The use of “D2S” in the name of the new subsidiary conveys DIC’s intention to focus on identifying promising technologies and businesses from the perspective of social imperatives, and on delivering new value to society through investment and collaborative business development. Based on its accumulated materials technologies and its Direct to Society approach, DIC will make full use of Emerald’s expertise and global networks to boost collaboration with startups that provide practical solutions that will extend human capabilities.

Upcoming related event
As part of its drive to enhance its presence in Europe, which began with the establishment of DIC D2S Ventures, DIC plans to hold an event on the theme of collaborative creation in the physical AI domain in Zurich on July 10, 2026. This event will bring together startups, venture capital firms and research institutions, among others, with the objective of providing opportunities for future collaboration and investment. Further details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

Executive comments
Takashi Ikeda, Representative Director, President and Group CEO, DIC Corporation
“Capitalizing on our strategic partnership with Emerald, announced this February, we are delighted to have established an investment management subsidiary, DIC D2S Ventures, in Zurich. We look forward to this new company positioning us to further strengthen collaboration with promising startups in the physical AI domain and, in line with our Direct to Society business creation mechanism, to provide new value to society.”

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Related news release
DIC Enters into a Partnership with Switzerland-Based Emerald to Accelerate Business Creation in the Physical AI Domain (February 16, 2026)
https://www.dic-global.com/en/news/2026/ir/20260213145018.html

About Emerald Technology Ventures
Emerald Technology Ventures is an independent venture capital firm founded in 2000 in Zurich, Switzerland, with superior expertise in the industrial technology, materials and cleantech sectors. With offices across Europe, North America and Asia, Emerald has a proven track record spanning startup sourcing, investment and growth support. The firm possesses extensive knowledge and global networks in areas such as sensors, robotics, advanced materials and industrial digital transformation, and is highly regarded for its support of open innovation initiatives with corporate partners. DIC and Emerald have built a relationship of trust through prior investments in funds and joint research, and this new strategic partnership will establish an even deeper collaborative framework.
For more information, please visit Emerald’s website: https://emerald.vc/

About DIC Corporation
DIC Corporation is one of the world’s leading fine chemicals companies and the core of the DIC Group, a multinational organization comprising over 170 companies, including Sun Chemical Corporation, in more than 60 countries and territories. The DIC Group is recognized as a global leader in the markets for a variety of products essential to modern lifestyles, notably packaging materials, display materials such as those used in television and computer displays, and high-performance materials for smartphones and other digital devices, as well as for automobiles. Through such products, the Group endeavors to deliver safety and peace of mind, and color and comfort, to people everywhere. The DIC Group also seeks to contribute to a sustainable society by developing innovative products that respond to social change and which help address social imperatives. With annual consolidated net sales exceeding ¥1 trillion and approximately 21,000 employees worldwide, the Group pledges to continue working in close cooperation with its customers wherever they are.
For more information, please visit the DIC global website: https://www.dic-global.com/en/