Sony Network Communications, a subsidiary of Sony, has made a strategic move by investing $3.5 million in a Japanese Web3 startup called Startale Labs. This investment aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of Web3 technologies. The collaboration between Sony and Startale Labs will focus on developing new tools and services to support the growth of Web3 and create comprehensive solutions for Web3 development.

As part of the deal, Jun Watanabe, the president and representative director of Sony Network Communications, will join Startale Labs as a director. This appointment strengthens the partnership and brings together the expertise of both companies in the Web3 space. It is worth noting that Sony and Startale Labs have previously collaborated on a successful Web3 Incubation Program.

Jun Watanabe is also known as the co-founder of the Astar Network, a parachain operating on the Polkadot ecosystem. Startale Labs has been an integral part of the Astar Network’s core team. The Astar Network recently introduced smart contracts that support two virtual machines, enabling the creation of projects using WebAssembly or Ethereum Virtual Machine within the network.

While Sony Network Communications is primarily known as a powerful fiber optic internet service provider, various branches of Sony have been actively involved in Web3 initiatives, including nonfungible tokens (NFTs). In March 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company behind PlayStation, filed a patent that allows users to transfer and utilize NFTs across multiple gaming platforms.

By investing in Startale Labs and collaborating on Web3 development, Sony is positioning itself at the forefront of emerging technologies and paving the way for the mass adoption of Web3 in Japan and beyond.