MOL PLUS invests in India’s Theia Ventures Fund to drive new businesses
MOL PLUS makes its first India-focused VC fund investment to deepen startup collaboration and expand new business opportunities.
From left: Capt. Shantanu, MOL PLUS India Desk; Priya Shah, Founder & General Partner, Theia Ventures;
Takuya Sakamoto, MOL PLUS CEO; Yasufumi Iino, MOL PLUS India Desk
MOL PLUS, the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), has announced its first-ever investment in an India-focused venture capital fund, Theia Ventures Fund 1. The fund is managed by India-based Theia Ventures LLP, led by Founder and General Partner Priya Shah.
India has rapidly grown into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, surpassing 157,000 registered companies by the end of 2024, and is home to around 70 unicorns. Recognizing this momentum, the MOL Group has identified India as a priority market—not only for its shipping and logistics business, but also for emerging sectors including next-generation energy, real estate, and diversified non-shipping operations.
MOL PLUS established its India desk in November 2024 to accelerate engagement with local founders and venture ecosystems. Through continuous interactions with Indian startups, the company has gained deeper insights into the region’s market dynamics, investment culture, and evolving expectations around shareholder roles and exit strategies.
Theia Ventures Fund 1 focuses on early-stage companies in energy transition, deep technology, material science, and advanced manufacturing, areas that closely align with MOL Group’s long-term innovation and sustainability priorities. This strategic compatibility played a crucial role in cementing the partnership.
According to Priya Shah, “We are proud to be the first Indian venture capital fund partner for MOL PLUS. Their expertise in blue economy, environment, and deeptech will be hugely beneficial in advancing emission reduction across industries, supply chains, materials, and mobility.”
MOL PLUS CEO Takuya Sakamoto highlighted the value of collaborating with a locally rooted partner: “Through our India desk, we have realized the appeal of the rapidly growing market and also learned the importance of region-specific literacy. By exploring the ecosystem with Theia Ventures, we aim to expand opportunities for new business creation.”
With this investment, MOL PLUS aims to combine startup innovation with the MOL Group’s global experience to support cross-border innovation and further strengthen the India–Japan corridor.
