Nintendo Co. is teaming up with San Francisco-based Scrum Ventures to scout startups working on new ways to play or use the company's hit gaming console, the Switch.

The program, run by Scrum, will look for startups, teams within larger companies or university researchers developing new tools to improve the Nintendo Switch platform, including components, sensors, chips or other add-ons, the venture capital firm said. Scrum and Nintendo will provide developers with assistance to bring products to the market. Neither company plans to invest directly in the startups.

The move is a departure from Nintendo's usual approach of working with established hardware suppliers, and some of the newcomers may be able to release products under the Nintendo brand. The Kyoto-based company is seeking creative ideas that may lead to new gaming experiences for the Switch and help the device maintain strong sales momentum. Released a little more than year ago, the console has ignited a turnaround at the company and has sent shares to almost double previous levels.