NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) has announced the opening of its new NGK/NTK Venture Lab in Santa Clara, California.

The technical exhibition and collaboration space is dedicated to the creation of new business opportunities through innovation, according to a published release. The lab also represents NGK’s commitment to the co-creation and incubation of new technology through potential partners and starters.

Several representatives were on hand for the opening, including officials from startups, venture capital firms, industry businesses, and academic offices. Dr. Radenka Maric, Ph.D., VP for Research at the University of Connecticut, was a guest speaker.

“We plan to use this space to inspire ideas for collaboration with potential partners. The Venture Lab showcases a wide range of NGK technologies, beyond just spark plugs, through a large video display and augmented reality,” NGK’s Global Executive VP Toru Matsui said, according to published sources. “It also includes a shared office which we will offer to our startup partners to use as their own. Our primary intention is to make strategic investments in early-stage startups, working together to bring new technologies to market.”

For more information, visit ngksparkplugs.com.