A new cross-border investment is set to accelerate electric vehicle infrastructure development in the Philippines. CHRG Electric Vehicle Technologies, a University of the Philippines Diliman spin-off, has secured its first equity investment from Japan-based Leave a Nest Group and IGNYSIA Holding (Yamada Shokai Holding Co., Ltd.). The Philippine EV Charging Startup CHRG completed the early-stage funding round on September 24, 2026, with the transaction announced a day later.
The investment marks a significant step for the university spin-off as it moves its charging technology from research toward commercial deployment. The deal also highlights growing Japanese interest in Southeast Asia’s emerging EV infrastructure and deep-tech ecosystem.
CHRG Electric Vehicle Technologies has secured its first equity investment from two Japanese companies, Leave a Nest Group and IGNYSIA Holding. The funding will support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the Philippines, including a planned inter-island charging highway powered by its CharM rapid charging technology.
First Japanese Investment for CHRG
The investment represents a major milestone for CHRG, which says it is the first university spin-off in the Philippine electric vehicle sector to secure this type of foreign backing.
The official signing ceremony was held at the UPSCALE Innovation Hub at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. The September 24 transaction brings Japanese industrial and investment expertise into an early-stage Philippine EV infrastructure venture.
Key Highlights
- Investors: Leave a Nest Group and IGNYSIA Holding
- Investment type: First equity investment for CHRG
- Deal completed: September 24, 2026
- Announcement: September 25, 2026
- Technology: CharM rapid charging
- Origin: University of the Philippines Diliman
- Main goal: Expand EV charging infrastructure
- Major project: Planned inter-island charging highway
CharM Technology Targets Long Charging Times
At the centre of CHRG’s strategy is CharM rapid charging technology, originally developed at UP Diliman. The technology was designed to address the lengthy four-to-six-hour charging times previously experienced by Filipino public electric vehicles.
By reducing charging bottlenecks, CHRG aims to make electric mobility more practical for commercial and public transport applications.
Inter-Island EV Charging Highway Planned
The Philippine EV Charging Startup CHRG plans to use the newly secured capital to scale its charging network across the country’s geographically separated islands.
Its flagship ambition is an inter-island charging highway designed to create a more connected EV charging ecosystem. Reliable charging links between islands could become increasingly important as EV adoption expands and electric transport moves beyond major urban centres.
Why the Investment Matters
For the Philippine EV Charging Startup CHRG, the transaction represents more than early-stage capital. It provides a pathway to transform university-developed research into real-world charging infrastructure.
The deal also signals growing Japanese interest in Southeast Asian deep-tech and EV infrastructure ventures. With Japanese investors supporting CHRG, the Philippine EV Charging Startup CHRG could play a role in accelerating the country’s transition toward a more connected electric mobility network.
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