SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, plans to expand its venture capital investments in a broad range of new technologies to make a world of self-driving, truly connected cars a reality. CES 2018 will provide a glimpse of the present and future for these innovations, including both core automotive startups and innovative technologies from bio sensors to cybersecurity with potentially huge applications for the way we get around. Three successful DENSO ventures will demonstrate at the company's CES exhibit, while the next wave of early-stage startups can pitch DENSO's venture capital head, Tony Cannestra.

"DENSO's vision for the future of mobility goes beyond automotive, and it will take the combination of a broad range of emerging technologies to make that vision a reality," said Tony Cannestra, director of Corporate Ventures at DENSO. "This year we'll look especially at companies tackling automated driving, cybersecurity and both biometric and vehicle sensors, including LIDAR and radar. Our CES meetings will play a big role in decisions over the next year."

The CVC Group led by Cannestra typically invests between $1 - $4 million in early stage startups working on technologies that are strategically relevant to the transportation industry. Currently, DENSO has a portfolio of more than 10 startup investments and is aggressively seeking to expand its investment efforts.

Startups attending CES can sign-up for a 20-minute pitch meeting by visiting www.densomedia-na.com/cesstartups. Meetings will take place on Wednesday, January 10 and Thursday, January 11 from 1-4pm PST at DENSO's CES exhibit in LVCC, North Hall #7917.

DENSO's startup investments target innovative technologies with applications in connectivity, autonomous drive, shared mobility and electrification (CASE). Recently, DENSO has also announced several investments in R&D and manufacturing CASE technologies. That includes a $4.3 billion global R&D commitment and $1 billion investment in its largest US manufacturing facility to produce electrification and safety technology. DENSO's startup investments complement R&D and production, all aiming to bring new solutions to market that benefit automakers and consumers.

About DENSO in North America
DENSO is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. With its North American headquarters located in Southfield, Michigan, DENSO employs more than 23,000 people at 28 consolidated subsidiaries and 4 affiliates across the North American region. Of these, 25 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 17,000 people in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. DENSO's North American consolidated sales totaled US$9.6 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. For more information, go to www.denso.com/us-ca/en. Connect with DENSO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DENSOinNorthAmerica.

DENSO Worldwide
DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, totaled US$40.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 8.8 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.denso.com, or visit our media website at www.denso.com/global/en/news/media-center/

SOURCE DENSO