At CEATEC 2026, the Sony Group Corporation is spotlighting startups under the theme “Where Ideas Grow Through Co-Creation.” The company is showcasing how its Sony Innovation Fund (SIF) and internal incubation initiatives help promising ideas grow into independent businesses, leveraging Sony’s technologies, expertise, and global network.
Sony Group Corporation booth at CEATEC 2026 showcasing its investment and innovation strategy by supporting startups
This builds on Sony’s CEATEC 2025 showcase, themed “Beyond the Boundaries,” which focused on the Sony Acceleration Platform and its role in supporting innovation inside and outside the company. Last year’s exhibits included the REON POCKET PRO, a wearable cooling and heating device born from Sony’s internal startup program.
This year, the emphasis shifts to startup investment and business creation, with AI-powered characters and a microsurgery-assistance robot among the technologies on display.
Sony Innovation Fund: Supporting Startups Worldwide
Established in 2016, the Sony Innovation Fund is Sony’s corporate venture capital initiative, investing in promising startups and connecting them with Sony Group’s technological expertise, business development capabilities, and international network.
During my visit to CEATEC 2026, I spoke with Kei Furukawa, Senior Investment Director at Sony Innovation Fund, who explained that SIF has invested in approximately 220 startups worldwide through six investment funds.
Unlike conventional corporate venture capital programs financed solely by the parent company, some SIF funds also include outside investors, such as financial institutions and other corporations.
Furukawa emphasized that Sony’s objective extends beyond financial investment. Collaborating with startups allows the company to explore technologies and business opportunities that might not emerge from its internal development teams alone.
He also joined the CEATEC CVC Reverse Pitch panel on October 15 to discuss collaboration between corporate venture capital organizations and startups.
Sony is showcasing five SIF portfolio companies: TIER IV, specializing in autonomous driving software; LENZO, developing AI semiconductors; Litpla, creating interactive entertainment experiences; Pictoria, specializing in AI characters; and YOAKE entertainment, developing blockchain-based fan engagement experiences.
Two Sony-originated companies are also featured: augment AI, which develops the wena X smartwatch, and Qoly Corporation, a surgical robotics startup.
Pictoria: AI Characters That Interact With Customers
Sony Innovation Fund portfolio company Pictoria is building an AI character ecosystem that combines conversational AI, speech synthesis, and digital character creation for entertainment and customer service.
At CEATEC 2026, Pictoria demonstrates Picto STAND, an interactive digital signage system featuring AI characters that can answer questions and assist visitors in stores, train stations, and airports. Businesses can customize the characters to match their brands and services.
Unlike conventional digital signage, Picto STAND enables two-way conversations. The technology is already being deployed in Japanese airports, showing its potential beyond the exhibition floor.
Qoly Corporation: A Surgeon-controlled Surgical Robot for Microscopic Precision
Qoly Corporation, a spin-off from Sony’s internal incubation program, is developing a robot to assist surgeons with microsurgery involving tiny blood vessels, nerves, and other delicate tissues.
Qoly Corporation microsurgery system prototype. Left: the remotely controlled robotic unit. Right: the surgeon control interface used to operate the system. Inset: a close-up of the handheld surgical control.
I spoke with a Qoly representative who explained that the robot scales down surgeons’ hand movements by up to 10 times: a 10 mm movement at the control console translates into just 1 mm at the robotic instrument.
Unlike autonomous robots, Qoly’s system is fully controlled by the surgeon. Its key innovations include finger-operated controls that mimic traditional surgical instruments and low-latency transmission for precise, responsive movements.
“Low latency is crucial for an immersive experience,” the Qoly representative explained, adding that the company combines low-latency data transfer and precise robotic control in one system.
The unit displayed at CEATEC is a prototype developed approximately three years ago. Qoly has developed a newer version and is already testing the technology with surgeons, but it has not yet received regulatory approval for human clinical trials.
Visit Sony Booth at CEATEC 2026
Sony Group Corporation is exhibiting at Booth 4H450, inside Next Generation Park in Hall 4, at Makuhari Messe, October 13–16, 2026. More information is available in Sony’s official CEATEC 2026 announcement.
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