Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced some changes to how it runs its startup investment fund. According to a press release published on June 11, the fund, previously known as the “Bandai Namco Entertainment 021 Fund” will be renamed to “Bandai Namco 021 Fund.” It will also receive a budget increase and expand its scope of investment to include game development studios. Previously, the fund was more geared towards investing in businesses related to metaverse, blockchain and VR technology (Related Article).
In line with Bandai Namco’s new IP-driven mid-term business plan (effective April 2025 – March 2028), the Bandai Namco 021 Fund will contribute to the company’s goals of developing new IPs and establishing new entertainment-related businesses. With its total investment limit raised to over 6 billion JPY (around $40 million USD), the fund will help promote collaboration both within the Bandai Namco group and with external companies.
Most notably, “by adding game studios as a new investment target” Bandai Namco hopes to leverage its global publishing and marketing power to release “high-quality games” in the global market. According to the announcement, Bandai Namco plans to invest and collaborate with both Japanese and international game studios.
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