KII Invests in Graphenory, a Keio University Startup Developing World's First Graphene Optical Devices

Keio Innovation Initiative (KII) has invested in Graphenory Inc., a startup originating from Keio University, through a fund it operates. Graphenory has raised a total of approximately 240 million JPY through this third-party allocation of new shares, and will accelerate technology development and talent acquisition towards the practical application of the world's first graphene optical devices.

Keio Innovation Initiative (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & President: Kotaro Yamagishi; hereinafter "KII") has invested in Graphenory Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & President: Reii Hirano; hereinafter "Graphenory"), a startup originating from Keio University, through a third-party allocation of new shares from a fund it operates. Including funding from other investors, Graphenory's total raised amount in this seed round through third-party allocation of new shares is approximately 240 million JPY.

### Revolutionizing the Semiconductor Industry with Innovative Optical Devices Utilizing New Material Graphene

Graphenory is a startup established in October 2024, based on the research achievements of Professor Hideyuki Maki of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University. By integrating the new material "graphene" with optical device technology, Graphenory has successfully commercialized the world's first graphene light source and optical devices that operate on semiconductors, which was previously difficult.

This innovative technology is expected to be commercialized not only in the sensing domain, such as realizing infrared analyzers with high spatial resolution exceeding theoretical limits, but also holds great potential to bring about societal transformation across various industries including bio, medical, information communication, and the next-generation optoelectronic convergence fields.

Through this funding, Graphenory will further accelerate talent acquisition, technology development, and business development, promoting the social implementation and application development of graphene optical devices.

### Company Profile

Company Name: Graphenory Inc. Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Representative: Representative Director & President Reii Hirano Established: October 2024 Business Activities: Research and development of optical devices using nanocarbon material (graphene), manufacturing, sales, analysis, and technical consulting of products. URL: https://graphenory.com/

### About Keio Innovation Initiative (KII)

KII was established in December 2015 primarily to support startups utilizing the research achievements of Keio University. Furthermore, since January 2020, with the mission "Until that research, that invention, that innovation changes society," KII has supported the social implementation of research and the resolution of social issues for all university-originated startups engaged in social innovation through digital technology and problem-solving in areas such as healthcare and wellness, focusing on lead investments in seed and early-stage companies.

In October 2023, KII established the "KII No. 3 Impact Fund," the first impact fund from a university VC, aiming to "realize a society where all people can achieve healthy and happy lives (a lifelong active society)." Concurrently, by making impact investments in university-originated startups, KII aims to generate positive and measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.

#### KII Overview

Trade Name: Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc. Business Activities: Nurturing university-originated technology ventures, operating venture capital funds. Capital, etc.: 100 million JPY (including 50 million JPY capital reserve) Representative: Representative Director & President Kotaro Yamagishi URL: https://www.keio-innovation.co.jp

The content published in this release is current as of the announcement date.