Sekisui Hires Carothers to Lead Corporate VC in North America

Japanese chemicals company Sekisui has hired Carothers to take on a corporate venture capital role covering North America, according to a report by Global Venturing.

The appointment signals that Sekisui wants people on the ground in the region as it works with startups and venture funds. The company, part of Japan's long-established chemicals sector, runs a corporate venturing program that invests in companies aligned with its strategic priorities.

Details of the hire remain limited. Global Venturing's report names the new hire only as Carothers and confirms the mandate covers the North American market. The outlet did not disclose the job title, reporting line, or fund size associated with the position.

What does the hire signal?

Corporate VC units at industrial and chemical groups typically use local hires to source deals closer to innovation clusters. A North America-focused appointment suggests Sekisui sees the region as a priority for startup partnerships, whether in materials, sustainability, or adjacent technologies.

The move also fits a broader pattern. Japanese corporates have expanded corporate venturing teams overseas in recent years to gain access to markets where their core businesses face the fastest technological change.

Why it matters

For founders and VCs in North America, a dedicated Sekisui venturing contact in the region means one more strategic investor with an industrial balance sheet actively scouting deals. For Sekisui, the hire puts decision-making closer to the startups it wants to back.

The next marker to watch is where the new hire deploys capital first.