Yamaha Music Innovations Fund to Begin Investing in Startup Companies in Silicon Valley

Aiming to Invest in and Create Next-Generation Music and Media Businesses

Yamaha Corporation (TOKYO: 7951) announces that Yamaha Music Innovations Fund I, LP (YMIF), a corporate venture capital (CVC) fund run by U.S. subsidiary Yamaha Music Innovations, LLC (led by President and CEO Yusuke “Scott” Sugino), will begin to invest out of a dedicated US$50 million fund in May 2025.

To strengthen its leadership position as an innovator in the fields of sound and music, Yamaha established a business development base (representative office) named Yamaha Music Innovations (YMI) in Silicon Valley in April 2024. YMI was incorporated in January 2025 and has accelerated initiatives to develop new businesses through partnerships with fast-growing startups and established companies.

To lead its new venture capital fund, YMIF has appointed Andrew Kahn as Managing Partner. Andrew Kahn has been a force for investing in innovative companies in the field of music technology, being named one of “Music’s Top Investors in Tech of The Future” by leading U.S. music industry magazine Billboard in 2023 along with being recognized by other publications such as Business Insider for his efforts. Additionally, he has extensive experience in startup operations, investment and business development at the intersection of music, interactive media, and the creator economy. Now, he will use his experience and relationships to establish YMIF as a key partner and value-add investor for the startup community, where Yamaha can leverage its strengths in sound, music and a century of work supporting creative people.

Through YMIF, Yamaha will strive to create and invest in innovative businesses that will enhance its role in the lives of creative people while accelerating business development collaborations with startups that have been underway since April 2024.

Core Investment Areas

Outline of Yamaha Music Innovations Fund I

About Andrew Kahn

As head of Crush Ventures, a leading early-stage fund focused on the intersection of music, technology, and cultural innovation, Andrew Kahn has spearheaded investment in startups within music technology, interactive media, and the creator economy. Prior to Crush Ventures, he was on the founding team of venture-backed company, Greenfly, through its Series B. He also served as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Live Nation Entertainment, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies, and holds in-depth operational knowledge and a broad network within the venture capital industry as well as with strategic partners in music and technology.

A word from Yusuke “Scott” Sugino, President and CEO of Yamaha Music Innovations

Since establishing our base in Silicon Valley in April 2024, we have collaborated with six startups by leveraging our group’s assets as the leading comprehensive musical instrument manufacturer with the No.1 market share*. Through our investment activities via YMIF and business collaborations utilizing our assets, we are bringing our mechanisms for creating new value and new businesses to the next stage. Simultaneously, through the dual approach of investment and collaboration, we aim to foster the development of the music entertainment industry in a manner distinctive of Yamaha, support the growth of startups, and realize our mission, “The Well-being of People around the World.”

*According to our research (fiscal year ending March 2024, based on monetary value)

Reference Information

Yamaha News Release, December 20, 2024 - Yamaha to Establish CVC Fund in Silicon Valley, U.S.A.

https://www.yamaha.com/en/news_release/2024/24122001/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250508562661/en/

Yamaha Music Innovations Fund I, LP, a corporate venture capital (CVC) fund will begin to invest out of a dedicated US$50 million fund in May 2025.