Zeon Corporation (Zeon; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tetsuya Toyoshima), through its venture capital arm Zeon Ventures Inc. (California, U.S.A.; representative: Kazuhiro Takahashi), has invested in Solestial, Inc. (Solestial), a U.S. startup developing innovative solar technology designed to provide affordable and scalable solutions to power sustained development in space. Alongside this investment, Zeon will collaborate with Solestial to proactively identify new business opportunities within the space industry.

Solestial’s unique solution is based on breakthrough silicon solar cells engineered to self-cure radiation damage in space. The company packages these cells in ultrathin, low mass, flexible solar power modules that anneal radiation damage at normal operating temperatures allowing them to withstand up to 10 years in a variety of destinations in space. Solestial’s solution is highly scalable, and modules can be produced on automated machines resulting in lower costs than traditional, space-hardened solar products. These proprietary modules provide long-lasting, efficient, and low mass solutions capable of powering the growing demand for satellites, near-Earth infrastructure, and space-based solar power.

We are at an exciting inflection point for human activity in space. Zeon aims to deeply explore new business opportunities in the space industry by partnering with Solestial. By sharing various assets of the Zeon Group, Zeon will support the growth of Solestial and consider opportunities for further collaborations going forward.

Zeon is striving toward achieving the STAGE30 medium-term business plan target of increasing net sales of new businesses by 60 billion yen in fiscal 2030 (compared to fiscal 2019). The company also continues its commitment to realizing a sustainable Earth and safe and comfortable life for people through the investment in and support for startups in four key areas (healthcare and life sciences, CASE and MaaS*, telecommunications (5G/6G), and energy conservation) and the provision of indispensable products and services that contribute to realizing a sustainable society.

Outline of Solestial https://solestial.com/
Company Name: Solestial, Inc.
Business: Space Solar Module Development and Production
Representative: Margo de Naray
Address: 1121 W Warner Rd, Suite 101, Tempe, Arizona 85284

Outline of Zeon Ventures https://www.zeon.ventures/
Company Name: Zeon Ventures Inc.
Business: Investment in startup companies and other activities
Representative: Kazuhiro Takahashi
Address: 25 Metro Drive, Suite 238, San Jose, California 95110
Investment Scale: US$ 50 million

For more information, contact:
Department of Corporate Communications, Corporate Sustainability Division, Zeon Corporation
Phone: +81-3-3216-2747