Toyota Ventures

Toyota Ventures, founded in 2017 and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Toyota Motor. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage startups worldwide that are developing disruptive technologies and innovative business models. With over $500 million in assets under management, Toyota Ventures aims to identify and support advancements in sectors such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, mobility, robotics, cloud technology, climate tech, renewable energy, smart cities, digital health, fintech, and materials. The company operates two primary funds: the Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund, which targets a broad range of technological advancements, and the Toyota Ventures Climate Fund, dedicated to solutions that promote carbon neutrality.

Chris Abshire

Senior Associate

Jim Adler

Founding Managing Director

Lisa Coca

Partner, Climate. Fund

Erin Keller

Senior Associate

Ethan Sohn

Principal, Climate Fund

Past deals in Electric Vehicle

River

Series B in 2024
River is an electric vehicle manufacturer focused on enhancing livelihoods through its products. The company specializes in producing high-quality utility electric mopeds, which provide customers with affordable mobility solutions suitable for various purposes, including work and recreation. By offering these economical vehicles, River aims to meet the diverse transportation needs of its clients.

May Mobility

Series D in 2023
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company focused on transforming urban transportation through the development and operation of driverless shuttle services. Founded in 2017 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company utilizes six-passenger electric vehicles that navigate mapped routes to provide micro-transit services for enterprise and municipal clients. By analyzing traffic patterns and commuter flows, May Mobility designs optimal routes that enhance public transit systems. Their autonomous shuttles aim to minimize human error in driving, reduce pollution, and improve economic benefits for communities and riders. The company offers a fleet operation service that contributes to creating safer, more efficient, and accessible transportation solutions.

Zeno

Venture Round in 2023
Zeno is a climate conscious motor company that offers eco-friendly motorcycles.

River

Series B in 2023
River is an electric vehicle manufacturer focused on enhancing livelihoods through its products. The company specializes in producing high-quality utility electric mopeds, which provide customers with affordable mobility solutions suitable for various purposes, including work and recreation. By offering these economical vehicles, River aims to meet the diverse transportation needs of its clients.

Zeti

Seed Round in 2022
Zeti is a digital financing platform established in 2020 and based in London, England. The company focuses on promoting clean mobility by connecting operators of essential vehicle fleets with institutional funders interested in financing electric vehicles and their necessary infrastructure. Zeti's platform facilitates the transition to zero-emission transport by offering innovative financing solutions tailored to the needs of both fleet operators and funders. Additionally, it provides critical real-time data that enhances decision-making for stakeholders, enabling them to secure flexible, risk-adjusted financing while supporting broader sustainability goals.

River

Series A in 2022
River is an electric vehicle manufacturer focused on enhancing livelihoods through its products. The company specializes in producing high-quality utility electric mopeds, which provide customers with affordable mobility solutions suitable for various purposes, including work and recreation. By offering these economical vehicles, River aims to meet the diverse transportation needs of its clients.

Revel

Series B in 2022
Revel is a company focused on promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption in urban environments through its all-electric rideshare service and a network of fast-charging stations. The company operates a fleet of easily recognizable blue, all-electric vehicles that provide a cleaner and safer rideshare experience. Revel emphasizes affordability, safety, and cleanliness, featuring vetted drivers and regularly detailed cars. Users can conveniently request rides via the Revel app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, Revel offers shared electric mopeds, allowing customers to easily locate and book a ride through the mobile application, which also facilitates access to charging stations for immediate energy replenishment.

Ion Storage Systems

Series A in 2022
ION Storage Systems, LLC specializes in the manufacture of solid-state lithium-ion batteries, targeting industries such as defense, aerospace, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Established in 2015 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company focuses on developing batteries that are energy dense and safe for diverse applications. Their innovative solid-state battery technology features a design consisting of two sponges on either side of a thin ceramic separator, utilizing low-cost, non-flammable materials. This approach not only enhances safety but also ensures the batteries are lightweight and compact, making them suitable for various environments and mission-critical needs.

Joby Aviation

Series C in 2020
Joby Aviation is an electric mobility company based in Santa Cruz, California, focused on developing fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Established in 2009, the company is designing an aircraft that can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, with a range of 150 miles on a single charge. Joby Aviation aims to launch its air taxi service in 2024, providing a fast, quiet, and convenient transportation option to alleviate urban congestion and promote sustainable transit solutions. The company's innovative approach positions it at the forefront of the emerging air transportation market.

Revel

Series A in 2019
Revel is a company focused on promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption in urban environments through its all-electric rideshare service and a network of fast-charging stations. The company operates a fleet of easily recognizable blue, all-electric vehicles that provide a cleaner and safer rideshare experience. Revel emphasizes affordability, safety, and cleanliness, featuring vetted drivers and regularly detailed cars. Users can conveniently request rides via the Revel app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, Revel offers shared electric mopeds, allowing customers to easily locate and book a ride through the mobile application, which also facilitates access to charging stations for immediate energy replenishment.

Skip Scooters

Series A in 2019
Skip Scooters operates shared electric scooters for reliable last-mile transportation. The company works with cities to ensure our fleets are operated with the support of the surrounding communities, and they stand behind their riders by providing vehicles, safety education, and training, and world-class support. The scooter rental company is based in San Francisco, California. It is formerly known by its Y Combinator codename, Waybots.

AutoBrains

Series B in 2019
AutoBrains is a developer of a visual intelligence platform designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of autonomous driving services. The platform leverages advanced artificial intelligence, employing signature-based representation structures and unsupervised learning methodologies to create a detailed understanding of the vehicle's surroundings. This technology supports various applications, including advanced driver assistance systems and vehicle localization, ultimately aiming to improve car safety and reduce casualties on global roadways. With a foundation of over 200 patents, AutoBrains' self-learning technology represents a significant advancement in automotive visual intelligence.

Connected Signals

Venture Round in 2019
Connected Signals, Inc. is a company based in Eugene, Oregon, that specializes in providing a cloud-based system connecting vehicles to traffic signals. This technology prioritizes various types of vehicles, including buses, emergency services, and pedestrians, to enhance traffic flow and reduce trip times by optimizing traffic light changes. The company has developed Transit Signal Priority (TSP) that leverages existing hardware in buses along fixed routes. Its applications, such as EnLighten, offer real-time predictions of traffic signal states, enhancing driving safety and efficiency without distracting drivers. EnLighten informs drivers about the duration of red lights and provides alerts as lights change. Additionally, Connected Signals partners with municipalities to gather and standardize real-time traffic signal data, ensuring compatibility with diverse signal infrastructures without necessitating expensive upgrades. Founded in 2013, Connected Signals aims to improve urban mobility while focusing on safety and reducing environmental impact.

May Mobility

Series A in 2019
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company focused on transforming urban transportation through the development and operation of driverless shuttle services. Founded in 2017 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company utilizes six-passenger electric vehicles that navigate mapped routes to provide micro-transit services for enterprise and municipal clients. By analyzing traffic patterns and commuter flows, May Mobility designs optimal routes that enhance public transit systems. Their autonomous shuttles aim to minimize human error in driving, reduce pollution, and improve economic benefits for communities and riders. The company offers a fleet operation service that contributes to creating safer, more efficient, and accessible transportation solutions.

May Mobility

Seed Round in 2018
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company focused on transforming urban transportation through the development and operation of driverless shuttle services. Founded in 2017 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company utilizes six-passenger electric vehicles that navigate mapped routes to provide micro-transit services for enterprise and municipal clients. By analyzing traffic patterns and commuter flows, May Mobility designs optimal routes that enhance public transit systems. Their autonomous shuttles aim to minimize human error in driving, reduce pollution, and improve economic benefits for communities and riders. The company offers a fleet operation service that contributes to creating safer, more efficient, and accessible transportation solutions.

Joby Aviation

Series B in 2018
Joby Aviation is an electric mobility company based in Santa Cruz, California, focused on developing fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Established in 2009, the company is designing an aircraft that can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, with a range of 150 miles on a single charge. Joby Aviation aims to launch its air taxi service in 2024, providing a fast, quiet, and convenient transportation option to alleviate urban congestion and promote sustainable transit solutions. The company's innovative approach positions it at the forefront of the emerging air transportation market.

Proterra

Series A in 2011
Proterra Inc. designs and manufactures zero-emission electric buses, including its 35-foot and 40-foot Catalyst models, aimed at reducing operating costs and delivering clean transportation across North America. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including pre-delivery consultations, training programs, mid-life inspections, and vehicle electrification solutions. Proterra also produces batteries, chargers, and drive trains, alongside a connected vehicle intelligence system. Their electric buses are built to accommodate various urban and regional transit needs and are noted for their durability and energy efficiency, as demonstrated through independent testing. By providing fleet planning, charging infrastructure, telematics, and energy management solutions, Proterra helps clients transition away from fossil fuels. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, the company has additional offices in South Carolina and California, contributing to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption through its innovative technologies.
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